I do not know what happened, but, yes, if a judge fails to follow procedure, then that is a problem. The trial of Sharon Keller started yesterday. She is presiding judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals. That means, she is the chief judge for the highest court in Texas regarding criminal cases. If she
August 2009
Lawsuits are a Very Personal Business
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in Litigation and trial practice
I have talked about this before. Reasonable settlement offers lead to reasonable, or halfway reasonable responses. When you are in the midst of a lawsuit, both sides have their "dander up." It is hard to be reasonable. But, it is just when it is hardest that it is most critical to appear reasonable. Pursuing…
Remember Who Your Friends are on Facebook
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
If you add your boss to your Facebook page, be sure to remember that when you start complaining about your job. Workplace professors describe a British worker who apparently forgot she had added her boss. She described him later as a "pervvy wanker" and said other unflattering things about him and her job. The…
Think Twice Before Going into “Fight” Mode
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in Litigation and trial practice
Most employees who come see me have thought twice, three times, even 20 times before they decide to file a complaint, or worse, file suit against the employer. In his blog, Michael Maslanka cautions employers to think twice before going into "fight" mode when an employee files an EEOC charge or even a lawsuit.
Fight Club Attracts National Attention
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
One of the trials regarding the fight club at Corpus Christi State School started on Monday. It has attracted national attention. I have talked about this before. It is shameful conduct at the expense of some of our most vulnerable citizens. But, let’s face it, we have the state school system we are willing…
Physician Non-Competes Now Limited in Regard to Patients
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in Contracts
Russell Cawyer reports that the recent state legislative session amended the statute regarding non-compete agreements. The new law allows physicians access to patients seen within a year. The current law restricts the ability of employers to draft non-competes regarding geographic distance, time and activity. This new provision adds this one category in…
Four Day Work Week a Success in Utah
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
So, the four day work week is a popular success in Utah. As reported by the workplace professorblog. As some might recall, Utah state government employees went to a 4 day work week earlier this year, I believe, due to budget issues. Apparently, it has been a success and very popular with many…
The Growing Effect of TBI
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in General
We don’t understand it. But, so many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans get it: traumatic brain injury. LTC Rivas got it and apparently died from it. We get it stateside, too, but TBI has become a singular feature of the current war. The IED’s (improvised explosive devices or "roadside bombs") are unique to this war. When…
Lawyer Gets Caught “Coaching” a Witness
By Thomas J. Crane on
Posted in Litigation and trial practice
When President Clinton was still President and he was getting into some trouble about having lied in a deposition regarding alleged sex harassment, a former client called me. He was upset. He said Pres. Clinton is getting into so much trouble for lying in his deposition, but so-and-so manager lied in his deposition and did…