Governor Abbott Appoints Geoffrey Puryear to 460th Judicial District Court
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Geoffrey Puryear to the 460th Judicial District Court in Travis County for a term set to expire on December 31, 2020, or until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified. Geoffrey Puryear of Austin is an assistant district attorney for the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, and previously served as an…
Occidental Starts Up First-of-its-kind Solar Facility Directly Powering Oil and Gas Operations
HOUSTON – October 3, 2019 – Occidental (NYSE: OXY) today announced the start-up of the company’s first solar facility to directly power an enhanced oil recovery field operation in the Permian Basin. The company, through its Oxy Low Carbon Ventures (OLCV) subsidiary, also announced that it has signed a long-term power…
U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (TX-13) Announces Retirement
Amarillo, Texas– U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (TX-13) released the following statement: “It has been a great honor to serve the people of the 13th District of Texas as their congressman for the last 25 years. They have given me opportunities to serve the nation in ways I could have never imagined, including as Chairman of the House Armed Services…
Texas Supreme Court Justice Jane Bland Takes Oath in Ceremony Today
The Texas Supreme Court’s newest justice, Jane Bland, will be sworn in by Gov. Greg Abbott at 3 p.m. today in a ceremony that will include former Justice Jeff Brown’s oath to become a new U.S. District Court judge in Galveston. Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht will administer Judge Brown’s oath. Gov. Abbott nominated Justice Bland, who served on Houston’s…
Gov. Abbott Sets HD 148 Special Election for Nov. 5th, 2019
Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation announcing Tuesday, November 5, 2019 as the special election date to fill the Texas House of Representatives District 148 seat recently vacated by former Representative Jessica Farrar. Candidates who wish to have their names placed on the special election ballot must file their applications with…
Gov. Abbott Sets HD 28 Special Election For Nov. 5th, 2019
Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation announcing Tuesday, November 5, 2019, as the special election date to fill the Texas House of Representatives District 28 seat to be vacated by former Representative John Zerwas. Candidates who wish to have their names placed on the special election ballot must file their applications with…
TCJL 2019 Legislators of the Year
TCJL is honored to recognize the following legislators for their outstanding service to the Texas civil justice system during the 2019 legislative session. Representative Jeff Leach (R-Plano). As Chair of the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee, Representative Leach handled some of the most complex and important legislation of the session with patience, grace…
Governor Abbott Appoints Tijerina To Thirteenth Court Of Appeals
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Jaime Tijerina to the Thirteenth Court of Appeals for a term set to expire on December 31, 2020, or until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified. Jaime Tijerina of McAllen is judge of the 464th Judicial District Court, and is the former judge of the 93rd Judicial District Court and former…
TCJL 2019 Session Report
The 86th Legislative Session began with a distinctly different tone than its predecessor. The November 2018 election registered voter dissatisfaction with an aggressively partisan approach that produced an overemphasis on social issues at the expense of addressing basic functions, primarily public education. The Lieutenant Governor narrowly won re-election, and if it hadn’t been for a special election in which a…
LT. GOV. Patrick Announces 2021 Redistricting Committee
AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced his appointments to the 2021 Redistricting Committee today. Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, will serve as Chair: “This critical committee is bipartisan and includes senators from every region of our state. Sen. Huffman is an exceptional and trusted leader in the Texas Senate and I am confident she and this committee will do the…
TCJL Files Amicus in Firearm Litigation
Last week TCJL filed an amicus curiae brief in a case of first impression that could have far-reaching impact on retail sellers of firearms and ammunition in Texas. The case, In re Academy, Ltd. d/b/a Academy Sports + Outdoors, arose from the horrific shooting at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas in November, 2017. Plaintiffs sued Academy, alleging, among other things, that it violated the federal Gun…
Rep. Capriglione, Senator Buckingham File Legislation Aimed at Deceptive Attorney Advertising
Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) and Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) have filed companion legislation to prohibit advertisements for legal services that encourage consumers to stop taking their prescribed medications. HB 2251 and SB 1189 bar advertisements that: (1) present the advertisement as a “health alert,” “medical alert,” …
Gov. Abbott Sets HD 125 Special Runoff Election Date for March 12th
Governor Greg Abbott set the special election runoff date for Texas House District 125 for March 12, 2019 with early voting by personal appearing starting on March 4, 2019. The seat was vacated by (then) Rep. Justin Rodriguez following his appointment as Bexar County Commissioner in January. The 5-way special election was held February 12th, with Ray Lopez (D-San Antonio) and Freddie…
Governor Abbott Appoints Brett Busby To Texas Supreme Court
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Brett Busby to the Supreme Court of Texas for a term set to expire on December 31, 2020. Busby’s appointment follows the retirement of Justice Phil Johnson. “It is a distinct honor to appoint Brett Busby to serve on the Supreme Court of Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “Brett’s respect for the Constitution and his…
Senators Reintroduce LFTA Bill on Litigation Funding Industry
Billions of dollars are being invested in lawsuits by sophisticated hedge funds that, according to some of these firms, yield huge money for them. Yet neither the defendant, nor in many cases the actual plaintiffs, have any idea that this is happening. That’s why today, Sens. Chuck Grassley, John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, and Ben Sasse reintroduced the Litigation Funding Transparency Act…
Governor Abbott Sets HD 145 Special Runoff for March 5th
Governor Greg Abbott set the HD 145 Special Election Runoff between democratic candidates Christina Morales and Melissa Noriega for March 5, 2019. The seat was vacated by Sen. Carol Alvarado following her successful bid for Texas Senate District 6 in December, with Morales & Noriega emerging as the two frontrunners in the highly contested 8-way Harris County race in late…
Governor Abbott Appoints Stretcher To Eleventh Court Of Appeals
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Keith Stretcher to the Eleventh Court of Appeals for a term set to expire on December 31, 2020, or until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified. Keith Stretcher of Midland is the former city attorney for the City of Midland, serving for 23 years. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Midland County Bar Association…
Governor Abbott Appoints Neill To Tenth Court Of Appeals
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed John Neill to the Tenth Court of Appeals for a term set to expire on December 31, 2020, or until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified. John Neill of Burleson is judge of the 18th Judicial District Court, serving over 20 years. He is board certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Johnson County Bar Association…