Texas Bar Blog
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The State Bar of Texas Blog, offering news and information for TX lawyers & attorneys on Rule of Law, justice, law-related education, MCLE, CLE, law licenses, the Supreme Court of Texas, the Texas Bar Journal & bar exams. Serving TX attorneys, educating the public & aiding the legal system since 1939. Supporting ethics, diversity & equal access to justice.
Texas Bar Blog
1w ago
Is the billable hour becoming a thing of the past? In an era where client expectations are reaching new heights, it’s crucial for your law firm to stay ahead of the curve.
Legal firms should carefully consider several business elements to ensure they are crafting a pricing model that is fair, sustainable, and aligned with both the firm’s and client’s needs, including:
Case complexity: The level of legal, factual, and procedural intricacies involved in a case
Work predictability: The extent to which the scope, duration, and resources required for legal work can be accurately anticipated in adv ..read more
Texas Bar Blog
1w ago
On July 6, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas issued a decision in Restaurant Law Center, et al. v. U.S. Dep’t of Labor that affirmed the validity of a recently promulgated Department of Labor, or DOL, final rule designed to regulate when employers are entitled to take a tip credit to satisfy a portion of tipped employees’ wages. The final rule, issued on October 29, 2021, and known as the “Dual Jobs” or “80-20-30” rule, imposes new burdens that lawyers advising employers whose operations include tipped employees should be aware of to ensure their practices comply ..read more
Texas Bar Blog
3w ago
From the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to cloud-based options that allow lawyers to operate more efficiently while working remotely, many firms are adopting more technology right now. However, it can be challenging to keep up with the latest options to find the tools that best fit your firm’s needs.
In this post, we’ll go over some of the top tools your firm should consider in 2024 for law firm success.
1. AI tools
The recent rise of AI technology has already unlocked remarkable opportunities (and ethical considerations) for law firms. As such, more and more lawye ..read more
Texas Bar Blog
1M ago
The Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, an initiative of the Dallas Bar Association, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and local lawyers, is hosting free virtual and in-person legal clinics for eligible Dallas County residents throughout March.
All virtual clinics run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
DVAP and SMU Dedman School of Law—Thursday, March 7
DVAP, Hunton Andrews Kurth, and SMU Dedman School of Law—Thursday, March 14
DVAP and St. Mary’s University School of Law—Thursday, March 21
DVAP, DLA Piper, and Haynes and Boone—Thursday, March 28
DVAP will host in-person clinics:
Veteran’s Clinic; VA Medica ..read more
Texas Bar Blog
1M ago
Cybersecurity is an important concern not only for the safety of data, but also for the protection of people. In many ways, with the internet of things and the proliferation of breaches and exploitation, cyber threats are at the forefront of what attorneys, as advisers, employees, and business owners, face. The technology we attorneys now have at our fingertips allows us to more quickly integrate and innovate, network and share ideas more easily, and save money. Our digital capacity enables us to do amazing things, but it also makes us, our law practices, and our clients vulnerable. According ..read more
Texas Bar Blog
1M ago
Volunteer attorneys will be available to answer legal questions on Wednesdays in March through the Dallas Bar Association’s LegalLine E-Clinic. The clinics, which run from 4 to 8 p.m., are free of cost.
A volunteer attorney will call a participant for up to 15 minutes of legal advice. No attorney-client relationship will be established. Individuals may receive referrals to local, legal, or social service agencies.
Calls from the clinic will remain anonymous. Participants should expect a call from an unknown number labeled “No Caller ID” or something similar. To participate, an online form is a ..read more
Texas Bar Blog
1M ago
There are countless ways to take on the skies in aviation. Whether traveling to meet with colleagues and clients or working on a case in another city, general aviation can help take you there while saving you time.
Flexibility Through Chartering:
A compelling perk of general aviation is its unparalleled convenience. Chartering an aircraft is a gateway for those seeking an easy day of travel without a long-term commitment to owning an aircraft. On-demand access is also an exciting perk that comes with chartering. Your plane leaves with you, providing flexibility to travel whenever and wherever ..read more
Texas Bar Blog
1M ago
State Bar of Texas president-elect candidates Denise Scofield and Santos Vargas will participate in a live, virtual candidate forum from noon to 1 p.m. CDT on March 26.
This is your chance to submit questions to the candidates and hear about their platforms during a lively discussion moderated by State Bar of Texas Podcast host Rocky Dhir.
Registration is required. Register for this free event by clicking here.
Submit questions for the candidates in advance by email to webmaster@texasbar.com or during the forum by using the Zoom Q&A feature. If submitting questions by email, please use th ..read more
Texas Bar Blog
1M ago
In the immense landscape of Texas, there is a need for efficient and flexible travel solutions, especially for business professionals. While traditional travel has its place, chartering an aircraft offers many advantages that can enhance productivity and the overall experience of business travel across the state. Here’s why it is worth it for legal professionals in Texas to consider chartering a private aircraft.
Time is Money:
Time is the most valuable asset, which is one of the main reasons many business and legal professionals choose to charter. Those who travel this way reclaim control of ..read more
Texas Bar Blog
1M ago
The beneficial ownership reporting requirements imposed by the Corporate Transparency Act, or CTA, are now in effect. 31 U.S.C. § 5336. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, estimates tens of millions of existing companies will be reporting soon—in addition to the two million new entities created each year and their “company applicants.” “Willful” failures to comply could result in civil and criminal penalties.
While many practitioners know the CTA and related rules adopted by FinCEN require disclosure of certain information about entities and beneficial ownership information, m ..read more