Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Guardian Authority in Divorce Cases: What Dallas Families Need to Know

A devastating three-vehicle crash in West Turin, Lewis County has claimed the lives of a Central New York mother, her teenage son, and their three beloved family dogs. The tragic accident occurred Thursday afternoon at approximately 4 p.m. at the intersection of Route 12D and Route 26, forever changing the lives of multiple families. The collision involved a 2011 Honda Pilot traveling north on Route 12D, a 2020 Volvo tractor-trailer, and a red SUV. The Honda failed to stop at the intersection and was struck by the tractor-trailer on the driver's side before going into a ditch. The tractor-trailer then collided with the SUV that was traveling north on Route 26. One family member, an 18-year-old daughter, survived the crash and was airlifted to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where she remains in stable condition. The occupants of the SUV were transported to Wynn Hospital in Utica and are reported to be in good condition. You can read more details about this…

From today's opinion by Judge David G. Estudillo (W.D. Wash.) in Etienne v. Ferguson: At present, Washington clergy who learn of child abuse or neglect while acting within their official supervisory capacity are required to report such abuse to public authorities. Only information obtained "as a result of a privileged communication" is exempted from this mandatory reporting requirement. Effective July 27, 2025, however, Washington law [SB 5375] will require clergy to report child abuse or neglect regardless of how they learn about such information…. The Court concludes Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their Free Exercise Clause challenge …. There is no question that SB 5375 burdens Plaintiffs' free exercise of religion. In situations where Plaintiffs hear confessions related to child abuse or neglect, SB 5375 places them in the position of either complying with the requirements of their faith or violating the law. In this way,…

Texas law provides a path for victims to seek financial compensation when someone is injured due to another person's negligence. Whether you were hurt in a car accident, slipped and fell on someone’s unsafe property, or suffered illness from exposure to hazardous materials, you may have a valid personal injury claim. If you're wondering how to file a personal injury claim in Texas or want to know how to get the maximum compensation possible, this guide offers essential strategies straight from an experienced Dallas personal injury lawyer. Do You Have a Valid Personal Injury Case? Before pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, ask yourself: Were you involved in a car accident caused by someone else’s reckless or distracted driving? Did you suffer a slip and fall due to unsafe private or commercial property conditions? Have you been exposed to toxic chemicals or hazardous substances at work or in public spaces? If you answered yes to any of these…

In 2025, Florida lawmakers passed House Bill 913, a major overhaul of the state’s condominium laws. The goal: improve safety, increase transparency, and strengthen the financial stability of condo communities. This guide, prepared by Perez Mayoral, P.A., breaks down the key changes in HB 913 by topic — including management, insurance, reserves, finances, and meetings — with straightforward, plain-language explanations. At Perez Mayoral, P.A., we represent homeowners across Florida in disputes with their condominium associations and HOAs. That includes cases involving property damage, failure to maintain common elements, election challenges, selective enforcement, and more. We’ve seen firsthand how these legal changes affect people — not just in theory, but in real life. —- Please note: As we head into hurricane season, we want to highlight an important issue.  While our firm handles many types of disputes, including selective…

Getting arrested for DUI in Fort Lauderdale can be overwhelming, frightening, and confusing. In the hours and days following your arrest, the decisions you make can dramatically impact the outcome of your case. Unfortunately, some people unknowingly sabotage their own defense by making critical mistakes that increase their risk of conviction and lead to harsher penalties. As an experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI defense lawyer, I’ve seen cases where defendants’ actions after their arrest made an already challenging situation significantly worse. Understanding these common pitfalls and how to avoid them is crucial for protecting your rights and preserving your defense options. The Stakes Are Higher Than You Think Before diving into specific mistakes, it’s important to understand what you’re facing. A DUI conviction in Florida carries serious consequences including license suspension, hefty fines, mandatory DUI school, community service, possible jail time,…

Today's advance release legal malpractice law opinion: Abrahams v. Photos(Legal malpractice; motion for summary judgment; existence of attorney-client relationship; res judicata; collateral estoppel; timely filing of motion for summary judgment pursuant to rule of practice (§ 17-44)).

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to immediately stop using FLIKRFIRE Tabletop Fireplaces due to serious fire hazards that have resulted in multiple burn injuries and two confirmed deaths. These small, alcohol-fueled devices pose a significant risk of flame jetting and uncontrolled pool fires, especially during refueling. The warning follows a fatal incident in June 2024 involving an elderly couple who suffered fatal burns when a third party attempted to refuel a FLIKRFIRE unit that appeared extinguished. The flash ignition caused by the invisible flame triggered an explosive release of burning alcohol. At least three other incidents have resulted in third- and fourth-degree burns to large areas of victims’ bodies. FLIKRFIRE products consist of small, open containers that burn liquid isopropyl alcohol. Users are required to pour alcohol directly into the unit and ignite it in the same reservoir—a design…

Join host me as I sit down with Columbia Law School’s Susan Sturm to discuss her compelling new book, What Might Be. Susan shares her passion for social justice and explores the power of reimagining systems for a more equitable future. This episode is a must-listen for those eager to understand the paradoxes in social justice work and how to navigate them for impactful change. Highlights Seeds of the book from childhood experiences. Contradiction seen in the law from day one. Building environments for full participation. Academia as a path for social justice. The power of ideas in driving change. What law is according to Robert Cover. Imagining systems for social justice. Creating micro spaces of justice now. Three paradoxes in addressing racism. Navigating racial salience paradox. Building multiracial collaborations. The challenge and necessity of hope. Avoiding internal immigration. The Jabot podcast is an offshoot of the Above…

Headline at The Washington Post. I'd make that a free-access link, but I only have 4 left to give this month and it's only the 18th. And it's one of these 31-day months, too, so I've got to be extra stingy.I'll cherry-pick the lawprof talk:“They have little options here in terms of protecting their interests,” said Jonathan Shaub, who teaches law at the University of Kentucky and has advised previous White Houses on the use of executive privilege. “Some have claimed the Fifth Amendment, even though I don’t think they actually think that they have committed any crimes. But given the language that has been used and the insinuations, I can understand why their counsel would say, ‘Just don’t say anything, because we don’t know what they’re willing to do and what they’re willing to prosecute.’”You don't think they actually think that they have committed any crimes. But what do they need…

From a recent email message Syracuse University College of Law invites applications from entry-level candidates for tenure-track positions with an expected start date of August 2026. We welcome applications from candidates across all areas of law but have particular interest in scholars teaching and writing in torts, constitutional law, and/or civil procedure. Candidates are expected to teach courses in both the residential law program and in our online JD interactive program, and can expect to teach a first-year course or a core upper-division course, along with other courses as needed. We are seeking individuals who are or have the potential to become outstanding scholars and excellent teachers. Candidates should have a distinguished academic record, including a J.D. from an accredited law school. Preferred post-J.D. experience and credentials include advanced degrees, judicial clerkships, relevant legal practice, or similar experience. Candidates must have the skills to…

 Also new online from Law and History Review: “The Rich Uncle from America”: Transnational Inheritance Transfers between the United States, Germany, and Russia, 1840s–1980s, by Jürgen Norbert Dinkel, University of Leipzig:This article examines cross-border inheritance transfers between the United States, Germany, and Russia between the 1840s and the late 1980s. These transfers were not only characterized by private considerations and kinship networks but were also strongly intertwined with national and international political developments. This article argues that the history of transnational inheritance transfers since the 19th century can be subdivided into three distinct periods. The first period, from the mid-19th century to 1914, witnessed the gradual development and expansion of professional networks and legal agreements designed to facilitate cross-border estate transfers. By contrast, the second period, from World War I and the October…

Talk about how artificial intelligence will someday take lawyers’ jobs has long been dismissed as much ado about nothing — until now. Microsoft has been conducting layoffs across the company across the globe since mid-May, and while in-house attorneys are typically safe from such employment woes, the rise of AI may be to blame when it comes to the companies latest cuts. Microsoft President Brad Smith has given mixed messages about whether artificial intelligence was behind the company’s decision to conduct layoffs, first saying that AI was “not a predominant factor” in the move, and later saying that “[s]uccess in life … is always about prioritization, and it’s always about investing in the future.” To date, the tech company has laid off dozens of lawyers. Corporate Counsel has the details on the scope of the layoffs for legal: Microsoft has laid off 15,000 employees across the globe since mid-May. Just in the…

The 2025 Legal SEO Shake-Up In 2025, visibility in Google search isn’t just a priority — it’s a lifeline. With Google’s constant algorithm updates and the widespread rollout of AI-driven features like Google AI Overviews, law firms face a radically different digital landscape. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or managing a multi-office firm, staying ahead in search results means adapting fast. Below are the biggest SEO trends shaping the legal industry this year so far, and clear steps your firm can take to thrive. Google AI Overviews Are Reshaping Legal Visibility Google’s AI Overviews have expanded significantly in 2025, increasingly dominating legal queries. These AI-generated summaries often appear above traditional organic listings, drawing content from multiple web sources. What It Means: Your well-written articles now compete with AI summaries. Getting featured in sources cited by AI Overviews should be a new goal for your content.…

SB 1318 & Physician Noncompetes in Texas (July 17, 2025): The Texas Legislature recently passed and Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 1318,[1] a new act amending Section 15.50 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code relating to physician noncompete clauses, and adding a new Section 15.501. The new law imposes explicit limits on the period and geographic region for physician non-compete agreements, sets a maximum price for the mandatory non-compete buyout, and expands the law to cover non-compete agreements with dentists, nurses, and physician assistants. The law goes into effect on September 1, 2025. I. What is a Covenant Not to Compete / Noncompete Provision? Covenants not to compete are often included in physician employment and independent contract agreements in order to restrict where a physician may practice for a period of time after he or she leaves a position. These provisions generally aim to…

Our Newsround this week comes with plenty of housing news, the main one being that the Renters’ Right Bill has now passed its report stage in the House of Lords. It will now progress to its third reading in the Lords. However, it has been confirmed that it will not receive the Royal Assent until after the parliamentary summer break. Electrical Condition Reports 5 years on Landlords are being reminded to check their electrical condition reports as this year marks the 5-year deadline for renewing them for when the law first came into effect. Most reports are given a validation period of five years (some less), but 20% of landlords are unaware that the reports only last five years. Paul Collins, Technical Director at NICEIC, says In 2020, landlords adapted to the new Electrical Safety Standards, now, five years on, it’s essential they revisit their records and arrange for updated EICRs where needed. This isn’t just about legal compliance – it’s about…

Encompassing three separate orders, the SEC has awarded a total of $7 million to five whistleblowers for assisting staff with information relevant to investigations. Due to confidentiality requirements, the identities of the whistleblowers and the companies involved are redacted in the final orders. Therefore, it is not known whether one or more of the orders are related to each other, or if the orders involve a single company, two companies, or three different companies. It is noted that all the whistleblowers involved provided original information voluntarily, which ultimately led to the success of each enforcement action. In the first order, two joint whistleblowers were awarded $5.4 million, and each will receive 50%, or $2.7 million. Their information led the SEC staff to open an investigation into the company. They provided important documentation that began and continued the investigation through its completion. A third claimant in this case was denied an award and did…

Insurance companies play a critical role in personal injury cases, often determining how much compensation you can recover for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. However, their primary goal is to protect their own financial interests—not to ensure that you receive a fair settlement. At John J. Malm & Associates, we’ve seen firsthand how insurance companies operate in personal injury claims. With over 90 years of combined litigation experience, our award-winning team has successfully negotiated with insurance companies to recover millions for injured clients across Illinois. In this blog, we’ll explore the role insurance companies play in personal injury cases, common tactics they use, and how to protect yourself and your claim. What Is the Insurance Company’s Role in Personal Injury Cases? When an accident occurs, the at-fault party’s insurance company is typically responsible for compensating the victim. Insurance companies handle…

LHR day continues here at LHB: David Korostyshevsky, Colorado State University, has published Incapable of Managing His Estate: Habitual Drunkards and the Expansion of Guardianship in the Nineteenth-Century United States online in Law and History Review:During the first half of the nineteenth century, Mid-Atlantic States expanded guardianship to include habitual drunkards. Legislators in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey empowered courts to put habitual drunkards under guardianship, a legal status that stripped them of their rights to own property, enter into contracts, make wills, and, in some states, even vote. Amid the dramatic nineteenth-century expansion of male suffrage, the habitual drunkard signified a masculine failure of self-government that disqualified propertied men from the privileges of full citizenship. The struggle to define habitual drunkenness, detect the habitual drunkard, and put him under guardianship transformed the courtroom into an arena for…