Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has confirmed he will not vote to eliminate the Senate filibuster rule. The news is a timely bonus for Texas businesses buoyed by the recent decision in Facebook, Inc. v. Duguid, in which the Supreme Court sharply limited the types of phone dialers implicating the Telephone Consumer
Bill Targeting Student Loan Servicers Introduced in Texas Senate
Texas’s “business-friendly” reputation remains under threat as policymakers grapple with the fallout of a polarizing presidency and shifting demographics. There is no better example than the sweeping new bill, SB 1859, that Senator Beverly Powell (D-Burleson) introduced last week targeting student loan servicers. Elected in 2018, Sen. Powell rode an anti-Trump wave to victory
Should I pay or will it go? Understanding the clash over student loan relief.
Millennials. Everyone has an opinion, especially us. We are “entitled,” “spoiled,” and “lazy” to some; “diverse,” “educated,” and “confident” to others. Try this: “resilient.”
Millennials rode the 90’s boom straight into the dot-com bust. We watched the World Trade Center fall on live TV. We endured (and continued to endure) more than 20 years of
New Year, New Rules: Amendments to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Effective As Of January 1
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.
– Sen. Dianne Feinstein
The Supreme Court of Texas issued an Order back in August 2020 setting forth various amendments to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. A portion of the amendments took effect on January
In the Balance: Justices Weigh Canceling the Multi-Billion Dollar TCPA Boondoggle
“At what point do we simply say . . . this statute is an ill fit for current technology?” – Justice Clarence Thomas
Nearly 3 decades before Zack Morris ascended to the fictional governorship of California in NBC’s reboot of Saved by the Bell, he was America’s best known Preppy—the cool kid with politician hair
Trademark and Brand Protection: Don’t Miss An Opportunity to “Trade Dress” For The Part
Most businesses are familiar with the concept of trademarking a word, logo, or slogan that serves as a unique identifier of their goods or services. After all, those are the markers that first come to mind when you think about a certain brand. But clients and practitioners often overlook another aspect of trademark protection relating
FEMALE OWNED FASHION BUSINESSES: FROM YOUR GARAGE TO A THRIVING BUSINESS, HOW TO START BUILDING YOUR DREAM
Hashtags for women entrepreneurs and female owned business are becoming more prominent. Tag lines such as “Mom-preneur” #girlpreneur #womenceo, #girlboss #solopreneur #entreprenuerher abound in social media posts in the fashion industry. It is not easy to be a female entrepreneur but with the rise of e-commerce more and more women are forming businesses and successfully
Small Claims, Big Money: The New Small Claims Recovery Limit in Texas
In Texas, small monetary disputes may be brought before the Justice of the Peace or “JP Courts.” Most Texans are probably unfamiliar with the term and know these courts simply as “Small Claims Courts.” However, recent changes to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure have increased the amount of damages claimants may seek in JP
Out of Luck or A Covered Loss? Two Key Decisions Regarding COVID-19 Related Business Losses.
Law360 reports that more than five thousand civil lawsuits have been filed by businesses seeking to recoup pandemic-related losses under their commercial policies. This new wave of litigation has called upon courts across the country to determine whether commercial policyholders have a right to recover for business losses in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just
Pour Me A Socially Distant Drink: The Conditional Reopening Of Bars In Texas
On
October 7, 2020, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Executive Order No. GA-32 (“Order”), relating to the continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Order brought welcome news to bar owners and thirsty patrons across the state of Texas by permitting the conditional reopening of bars. However, before the bottles are popped and the beers are