April, 2013 - Tarrant County Bar Association

Law Day Awards Dinner
May 2, 2013
Bulletin
Fort Worth Club
April 2013
Blackstone
Silver Gavel
Award
Award
Judge Louis
John
E. Sturns
Allen
Chalk, Sr.
Outstanding
Young Lawyer
Cory
Halliburton
Professionalism
Award
Outstanding
M. Beth
Mentor
Krugler
Award
Justice
Bob McCoy
Photo taken by
Crystal Johnston
cjohnstonportraits.com
REALIZING THE DREAM: EQUALITY FOR ALL
Tarrant County
Bar Association
Phone: (817) 338-4092
Fax:
(817) 335-9238
Website:
www.tarrantbar.org
E-mail:
tcba@tarrantbar.org
2012–2013 Officers
President. ......................... J. Benjamin Barlow
President-Elect .................... Ann L. Diamond
Vice President ...................... Michael J. Henry
Secretary-Treasurer ............... David Keltner
2012–2013 Elected Directors
Lisa Callaghan
Rachel Moore
Dan A. White
Kim Naylor
John Cayce
Randy Turner
2012–2013 Appointed Directors
Tawanna Cesare
John M. Cummings
Immediate Past President
Robert E. Aldrich, Jr.
FORT WORTH-TARRANT COUNTY YOUNG
LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
Becky Mata, President
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Patricia Graham, PLS, CLAS
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
STATE BAR OF TEXAS DIRECTORS
Robert E. Aldrich, Jr.
Judge Jo Ann Reyes
ABA DELEGATE
Janna W. Clarke
BAR BULLETIN
John F. Murphy, Editor
H. Dennis Kelly, Assistant Editor
Pat Leake, PLS, CLAS, Staff Editor
The Tarrant County Bar Bulletin is a
monthly publication of the Tarrant County Bar
Association. Articles, photos, events for the
calendar, suggestions, or comments should be
directed to 1315 Calhoun Street, Fort Worth,
Texas 76102-6504
Deadline for submission is the 20th
day of the month, two months before the
date of the issue (e.g. April 20th for the
June issue). Items for publication may be
sent by fax to 817-335-9238 or e-mail to
pat@tarrantbar.org in Word format.
Articles published in the Bar Bulletin
do not necessarily reflect the opinions of
the Tarrant County Bar Association, its
officers, or the Board of Directors.
Calendar listings, classifieds, advertisements, and feature articles should not be
considered an endorsement of any
service, product, program, seminar, or
event.
TCBA Bulletin
by J. Benjamin Barlow
ongratulations to our deserving Law Day award
recipients! I hope that you take the opportunity to
C
come to the dinner on Thursday, May 2. It is a high moment
in the careers of these fine attorneys and a great time to
learn about them personally and professionally. Come out
and support them if you can.
The Tarrant County Bar Foundation’s fundraising event is coming up in
just a few days on April 6: Tortfeasers! (Not to be confused with the world’s
finest all-lawyer ACDC cover band . . . according to their Facebook page.)
The Tarrant County Bar Foundation was established in 1997 to support and
expand its commitments to "justice, service, and professionalism" by
funding important community service projects. These projects include
crucial legal services to needy citizens and education of the public about
their rights and responsibilities under the law. In order to support these
worthy causes, all you have to do is buy a few tickets and show up to see
what other talents your fellow bar members may or may not have. Please
make the effort to witness the finest all-lawyer variety show in all of Tarrant
County.
TCBA has a Facebook page. Check it out and you can see some great
photos from last year’s Tortfeasers show. Make sure to search for “Tarrant
County Bar Association” and not “TCBA” or you will start getting ads from
the Tri-County Bicycle Association, The Treasure Coast Builders
Association, and The Town of Clarence Baseball Association all at once.
Finally, the TCBA pictorial directory should be in the can by now and
ready for pickup/delivery in May. Thanks to everyone for participating, and
special thanks to Pat Leake for the interior layout, listings and photo
preparation; and to Cindy Rankin for the membership database updates. For
all their hard work on this project I dedicate this Weezer tune to them:
If you want it (Ooo) You can have It (Ooo), But you gotta learn to
reach out there and grab it (Ooo)
If you want it (Ooo) You can have It (Ooo), But you gotta learn to
reach out there and grab it (Ooo)
'Cause everybody wants some love (Oh baby), Shootin' from the stars
above (Oh baby)
And though my heart will break, there's more than I can take, I can
never get enough
It's in the photograph . . . It's in the photograph . . . It's in the
photograph of love.
Ben
TCBA attorney members, it is time to vote for the 20132014 officers and directors. You will receive an email
inviting you to open BallotBox to cast your vote.
Elections open at 9 a.m. on April 1 and close at 5 p.m. on April 19.
Realizing The Dream: Equality For All
The promise of equality under the law is what has made America a beacon to
other nations. It is a pledge clearly set forth in the Declaration of Independence
and in the opening words of the Preamble of the Constitution, “We the People.”
It is, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, the proposition to which our nation is
dedicated.
The year 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the issuance of the
Emancipation Proclamation.
April 2013
3
REALIZING THE DREAM: EQUALITY FOR ALL
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE
LAW DAY AWARDS DINNER ON
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013
6:30 p.m. reception (cash bar) 7:15 Dinner & Awards Presentation
$65 per person
Fort Worth Club, Terrace/Horizon rooms (12th floor)
Co-hosted by the Tarrant County Bar Association and
the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association
Award Recipients:
Blackstone Award—John Allen Chalk, Sr.
Blackstone has been awarded annually since 1963 to a senior member of the bar,
based on a career demonstrating ability, integrity, and courage.
Silver Gavel Award— Judge Louis E. Sturns
Silver Gavel has been awarded annually since 1996 to a judge who has served on the bench
for not less than ten years and has made a substantial contribution to the judiciary.
Professionalism Award— M. Beth Krugler
Professionalism has been awarded annually since 2000, based on professional
conduct without regard to age, gender, practice area, number of years in practice, or any other
limitation or restriction.
Outstanding Young Lawyer Award— Cory Halliburton
Outstanding Young Lawyer is awarded by the Tarrant County-Fort Worth Young Lawyer
Association to recognize a lawyer who is 36 years of age or younger and who demonstrates
professional proficiency, service to the profession, and service to our community.
FW-TC YLA Outstanding Mentor Award— Justice Bob McCoy
FW-TC YLA Outstanding Mentor is awarded to an
attorney or judge who has consistently demonstrated a commitment
to mentoring young lawyers in the legal community.
4
April 2013
TCBA Bulletin
ALA-FW, TCBA AND FW-TCYLA
F IRM L EADERSHIP L UNCHEON
A PRIL 9, 2013
f you are
currently serving in a Management role in your firm,
I
or aspire to one day, you will be very interested to attend
the Firm Leadership Luncheon on April 9, 2013. TCBA is
joining with the Fort Worth Chapter of the Association of
Legal Administrators to host a renowned guest speaker
John J. Michalik from Seattle, Washington. His topic
will be “Extraordinary Law Firm Leadership: The Ins and
Outs.”
Mr. Michalik graduated from the University of
Minnesota Law School in 1970 and was soon “diverted”
into what would be a 37-year career in the management of
legal, academic and association organizations. His career
included 15 years at the Washington State Bar Association,
where he served as Executive Director and CEO; a stint at
the University of Washington School of Law, where he was
Assistant Dean; and from 1995-2010 as Executive Director
of the international Association of Legal Administrators,
headquartered in the Chicago suburbs. Michalik is the
author of The Extraordinary Managing Partner: Reaching
the Pinnacle of Law Firm Management (2011) and of more
than 200 articles, annotations and essays on legal and
management topics. He has been a featured
he mission of the Association
of Legal Administrators
T
(ALA) is to (1) promote and enhance
the competence and professionalism
of all members of the legal management team; (2) improve the quality of
management in law firms and other
legal service organizations; and (3)
represent professional legal management and managers to the legal community and to the community at
large.
Through its international
speaker on legal and association
management in six different countries.
Michalik’s “working retirement”
activities include law firm benefit
program development and consulting, as well as
management consulting, to associations and academic
institutions.
The luncheon is at the Fort Worth Club, 306 West 7th
Street, 12th floor, starting at 11:45 a.m. The TCBA and the
FW-TC YLA will co-host this luncheon with the ALA-FW.
The cost of the buffet meal is $23 for members of any of the
host associations with reservations and $25 for guests and
walk-ins. For reservations, contact Sherry at 817-338-4092
or sherry@tarrantbar.org. OR you may make your
reservation on the TCBA website www.tarrantbar.org, Home
tab, then Calendar. Find April 9 for this event and click the
register button.
Dress is business casual—suits and ties are not required.
Parking is limited at the Fort Worth Club, but satellite
parking may be available at nearby parking garages or at
parking meters. For directions, visit the club’s website at
www.fortworthclub.com.
organization and local chapters and
more than 10,000 members, ALA
provides substantive education,
resource tools such as idea
exchanges, workshops and research
databases and professional
camaraderie and networking.
The benefits and resources are
enhanced at the Chapter level through
informational, educational and
networking opportunities targeted to
the Fort Worth legal community. The
annual local salary survey has proven
to be an invaluable tool for salary
decisions ranging from hiring new
associate attorneys, paralegals or
other staff, or during annual
performance reviews.
For information on membership
for your firm administrator, please
call Lisa Boyd, FWALA Membership
Chair, Brackett & Ellis, (817) 3381700 Ext. 478 or email her at
lboyd@belaw.com.
The annual Lawyer Sketch Comedy
Show – Tarrant County Style
starring Tarrant County Attorneys & Judges
Saturday, April 6, 2013, @ 7 p.m.
at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center, 1300 Gendy Street, Fort Worth 76107
Contact Sherry Jones at sherry@tarrantbar.org for Tickets at $25 each.
Don’t miss a great show and a whole lot of laughs!!!
TCBA Bulletin
April 2013
5
T ARRANT C OUNTY B AR A SSOCIATION S ALUTES I TS
2012-2013 “ 1 0 0 C L U B ” M EMBERS .
Adams Lynch & Loftin, P.C.
Albert Neely & Kuhlmann LLP
Allmand Law Firm, PLLC
Anderson, Riddle & Kuehler L.L.P.
Bakutis McCully & Sawyer PC
Bank of America Private Wealth Management
Barlow Garsek & Simon, L.L.P.
Barrett, Daffin, Frappier, Turner & Engel, LLC
Beadles Newman & Lawler, PC
Beal Law Firm, The
Berenson Firm P.C., The
Blaies & Hightower, LLP
Blum Firm, P.C., The
Bodoin & Agnew, P.C.
Bourland & Kirkman, L.L.P.
Bourland, Wall & Wenzel, P.C.
Boyle & Lowry, L.L.P.
Brackett & Ellis, P.C.
Law Office of Art Brender, The
Broude Smith & Jennings PC
Brown, Dean, Wiseman, Proctor, Hart & Howell, LLP
Bruner & Pappas LLP
Suzanne I. Calvert & Associates
Cantey Hanger LLP
City Attorney’s Office-City of Fort Worth
Colaneri Firm, P.C., The
Cotten Schmidt & Abbott, L.L.P.
Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P.
Decker Jones McMackin McClane Hall & Bates, PC
Eggleston Flowers & King, LLP
Fears/Nachawati PLLC
Fillmore Law Firm, L.L.P.
Forshey & Prostok, L.L.P.
Friedman, Suder & Cooke
Frost Bank
FTS International
Gardner Aldrich, LLP
Goodrich Postnikoff & Associates, LLP
Gordon & Sykes, LLP
Griffith, Jay & Michel, LLP
Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C.
Harrison Steck P.C.
Haynes and Boone, L.L.P.
Holland Johns & Penny, LLP
Hurr Law Office
Jackson Walker, L.L.P.
Johnston Legal Group, P.C.
K & L Gates LLP
Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP
Kirkley & Berryman, LLP
Lanter Westermann, P.C.
Law, Snakard & Gambill, P.C.
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
Bob Leonard Law Group, PLLC
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, L.L.P.
Lively & Associates, L.L.P.
Loe, Warren, Rosenfield, Kaitcer, Hibbs, Windsor,
Lawrence & Wolffarth, P.C.
McDonald Sanders, P.C.
Mellina & Larson, P.C.
Moses, Palmer & Howell, L.L.P.
Murphy Mahon Keffler Farrier, L.L.P.
Nelson Bumgardner Casto, P.C.
Noteboom Law Firm
Padfield & Stout, LLP
Pope, Hardwicke, Christie, Schell, Kelly & Ray, L.L.P.
Ray Valdez McChristian & Jeans
Ross & Matthews, P.C.
Second Court of Appeals
Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, LLP
Sproles Woodard LLP
Stewart Dugger & Dean, PLLC
Tarrant County DA’s Office
Taylor Olson Adkins Sralla & Elam, LLP
Thompson & Knight, LLP
Vural Law Firm, PLLC
Wallach & Andrews, P.C.
Watson, Caraway, Midkiff & Luningham, L.L.P.
Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC
Whitley Penn, LLP
Wilson, White & Doby, LLP
Winstead PC
Law firms, government agencies, law schools, and corporate legal departments with 100% of their attorneys
(four or more) qualify for the “ 100 C LUB . ” TCBA is proud of the participation of these law firms and other
groups in the 2012-2013 Bar year. For information, contact Membership Director
Cindy Rankin at 817-338-4092 or e-mail cindy@tarrantbar.org.
TCBA Membership Cards Available
As the TCBA gets more and more benefits, there are those who may want to carry a Tarrant County Bar Association
membership card. They are available, upon request. Contact cindy@tarrantbar.org or call 817‐338‐4092. We will
prepare your card and you may come by the office, or we will send it to a section, committee, luncheon meetings, etc.
6
April 2013
TCBA Bulletin
ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE SAVED 198 LIVES
he annual Blood
Drive on February 21
T
started with a downpour of rain, but by the time the Carter
$50 Gift Card
won by
BloodCare arrived at 8 a.m. most of the rain had stopped.
The day eventually turned to a bright, sunny one. Seventyfour people came to the Bar Center to make a donation, and
66 of those qualified, saving 198 lives. Congratulations to
the GALLON CLUB winner Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP,
as the firm having the most people attending at 22, followed
by Cantey & Hanger with 6, and the Second Court of
Appeals with 5. The largest group of people signed in was
on the “Solo & Small firm” page. TCBA appreciates
everyone who took the time to come to make a donation.
Thanks for great work committee: Lara Aman, chair; Brad
Dowell, chair-elect; Lori Campbell, Paul Goetz, and Jessica
Sangsvang.
Attendance was heavy between 11 and 2 to take advantage of the pizza and salad furnished by the Tarrant County
Bar Foundation. Each attendee was given a door-prize
ticket to complete and place in the “heart” sack, and the
following are the winners:
Sam Williams (TC DAs)
$25 Gift Cards
donated by TCBF
won by
Shane Goetz (solo) and
Julie Sherman (Cantey)
$25 Gift Cards
won by
Amber Altemose (Whitaker),
Andrew Norman (Brackett),
& Jim Stouffer (Ray Valdez)
$20 Gift Card
won by
Sara Anstoetter
Complete customized
web site (a $500 value!)
Garry Brookman
817-685-8693
won by Bryan Hill
(Kelly Hart)
Gift Certificates
won by
Julie Henderson (Kelly
Hart) & Dan Steppick
$50 Gift Card
(CowlesThompson)
won by
Certificate for FREE
wine tasting
won by
Lindsay Williams (2ndCOA)
George Muckleroy
(SheatsMuckleroy)
L
R
S
N
AWYER
EFERRAL
ERVICE
EWS
awyer Referral Service
has surpassed its annual
The number of attorneys joining the under a different
budget and is on track to break another
referral service has grown as well—we telephone system, so
record on income from referral fees.
clients must use the
are at an all-time high on the number
We want to thank the following
817-336-4101 to
attorneys for their continued support of of panel attorneys. Your continued
receive referrals.
support of the LRIS is greatly
the LRIS through their membership
Special note to LRIS
appreciated!!!!
and the referral fees received over the
members: Lawyer Referral Service
past month: Bradley Clark, David
Note! If you are giving clients the
renewal packets will go out by email
Cook, Sylvia Duarte, Joan Durkin,
LRIS phone number, please give them
the first of June. The last referral for
Carlos Galliani, Andrew Gore, Earl
817-336-4101, rather than the main
2012/2013 will be June 30 unless you
Hargrave, Patrick Kelly, Dustin
number to TCBA. In order to better
have renewed prior to that date.
Payne, and Anthony Simpson.
service clients with referrals, LRIS is
L
2013 TRANSITION TO PRACTICE
he next luncheon will
be May 22, 2013, at the
T
Tarrant County Bar Center.
Remember, Mentors and
TCBA Bulletin
April
Mentees can meet outside of the luncheons.
If you want to be a mentor (have been practicing for 10
years or more) to newly-licensed attorneys (three years of
less), contact Cindy Rankin at cindy@tarrantbar.org.
2013
7
TARRANT C OUNT Y
VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY S ERVICES
KAREN DENNEY & SHAUNA WRIGHT, co-chairs
A P RO B ONO
V OLUNTEER S POTLIGHT
ay Henry (left)
and Ricky
J
Torlincasi (right) are
both from Fort Worth,
met and became friends
while they were going
to school at Arlington
Heights High School.
They did not attend
college or law school together – with Jay
attending Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University
School of Law and Ricky attending Texas Christian
University and Texas Wesleyan School of Law – but when
they both began practicing law in Fort Worth, their
friendship continued.
As part of this friendship, when Ricky saw in the Bar
Bulletin that Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services
(TVAS) was hosting its first pro bono event in October
2012, Ricky called Jay and told him that he had
volunteered to take a divorce case at the event and
encouraged Jay to do the same. Jay had been wanting to
get involved in the local legal community and agreed that
participating in TVAS would be a great way to get involved
because, while meeting others in the legal community, he
also would be able to help someone, making his
participation a double win. So, Jay also signed up to
participate.
The divorce case that Jay and Ricky took at TVAS’s
October event was the first pro bono work that either Jay or
Ricky had performed since they both became licensed in
2011. Jay practices oil and gas and personal injury
litigation at the Law Office of Michael J. Henry, and Ricky
practices oil and gas transactional work and litigation and
other civil litigation at Dawson Parrish, PC. Although
neither of them had any experience in the family law area,
TVAS provided resources, and the Tarrant County Family
Bar Association provided mentor attorneys to assist with
any questions either Jay or Ricky had about their case.
Ricky stated that TVAS made it easy to perform pro
bono work and that the case he took was not time
consuming, which he believes is something that people fear
when they consider taking pro bono work. Ricky found his
pro bono service to be very rewarding. Taking the pro
bono case gave him a sense of accomplishment because –
unlike most litigation matters in which he has been
involved – it was a case that from start to finish took less
than four months to complete. It also reminded him that he
had the capability of helping people with his legal skills in
a manner outside of his regular day-to-day practice.
8
April
Jay enjoyed helping someone who otherwise would not
have received legal assistance. He also liked learning
about an area of law in which he is not regularly involved.
Jay was surprised how many people he met through the
TVAS program, from experts in the local legal community
to people his own age and with a similar level of legal
experience. Jay commented that his participation as a
TVAS volunteer was a great experience and would be a
great experience for anyone new to the legal field or local
legal community.
Jay and Ricky have said that they would volunteer
through TVAS again, and both plan to participate in TVAS’
estate planning clinic in April.
Ricky is also a member of the Fort Worth-Tarrant
County Young Lawyers Association and the Tarrant County
Bar Association’s Energy Section, and he and his wife,
Lindsay, will soon celebrate their second anniversary.
TVAS ESTATE PLANNING CLINIC
SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 23
arrant County Volunteer Attorney Services’ (TVAS)
third pro bono event will be held the evening of
T
April 23, 2013, at the Tarrant County Bar Association
(TCBA) offices. At this event, volunteer attorneys will
have the opportunity to meet with indigent Tarrant County
residents and prepare and finalize wills and ancillary
documents for these individuals.
Starting at 3:30 p.m. on the 23rd, TVAS will provide a
free CLE given by Amy Fuqua of Fuqua Law Firm PLLC
concerning the preparation and components of the estate
planning documents that will be prepared at the clinic.
Attorneys are not required to participate in the clinic to
attend the CLE. If you plan to attend the CLE, please
contact Aleed Rivera at aleed@tarrantbar.org to register.
If you would like to volunteer to prepare a will and
related documents for a low-income client at the Estate
Planning Clinic, please contact Philip Vickers at
pvickers@canteyhanger.com. Please note that while
attendance of the CLE is not required to volunteer at the
clinic, all volunteers must arrive at the TCBA offices by
4:45 p.m. on April 23 to receive software training related to
the document preparation program that the volunteers will
use at the clinic.
Volunteer Today!
Simply call Aleed Rivera, Pro Bono Programs
Directory, at 817-338-4092
2013
TCBA Bulletin
IP D OMAIN : PATENT L AW ’ S F IRST-I NVENTOR -T O -F ILE
P ROVISIONS A RE N OW I N E FFECT
BY DUSTIN JOHNSON AND VINNY CIRCELLI, Haynes and Boone, LLP
n March 16,
2013, the
O
final provisions of
standard for
comparison.
Potential negative
effects of the new
examining standard
can be minimized by
timely action. Therefore, when considering patent protection
for you or your company’s inventions
in view of the new examining
standard, think about using the
following as tips:
• Always vet your work or ideas
for patentable subject matter and, if
warranted, file a patent application
before disclosing your work to
other people or organizations,
including investors, vendors, joint
developers, and suppliers;
• Make patenting decisions a
priority since delay may allow
introduction of patent-defeating
intervening activities and
publications by others; and
• When asked to do so, review
patent applications and/or related
material quickly
New Examining Standard As
since delay may
of March 16, 2013
allow introduction
of patent defeating
The first to file a patent applicaintervening activition for patentable subject matter is
ties and publication
entitled to a patent thereon.
by others.
Limited grace period allows U.S.
Keeping this
applications to be filed up to a year
information
in mind
after a public disclosure or sale by the
will help you or your
applicant subject to intervening
company maximize
activities and publications
the value of your
Foreign patent documents are
inventive contribuprior art as of their filing date, even if
tions.
in another language
that are sufficiently described in a
patent application filed before
another’s patent application directed to
the same invention. Only the first
inventor to file a patent application
will be awarded the patent.
Second, even after an inventor
originates a new invention, other’s
activities and publications that occur
before filing a patent application (i.e.,
intervening activities and publications)
can prevent the inventor from
obtaining patent protection. For
example, a competitor’s disclosure of a
product after the inventor’s invention
date but before the inventor’s patent
application filing date can be used to
reject the inventor’s patent application.
Finally, any relevant foreign publications filed before the inventor’s
patent application filing date can prevent the inventor from obtaining patent
protection, even if filed in a foreign
language.
The table below lists the three
major differences identified above
side-by-side with the old examining
the America Invents
Act became
effective. The
provision receiving
the most attention is
the First-Inventor-ToFile provision. This provision has
created a new examining standard that
poten-tially impacts inventors’ abilities
to obtain patent protection for their
ideas, concepts, and products. The
new examining standard requires that
the Patent Office consider a greater
number of prior materials and activities
(also called “prior art”) when it
examines inventions for patentability.
The paragraphs below explain some
of the elements of the new examining
standard and how they differ from the
prior standard. These are followed by
a few bulleted tips that may minimize
the impact of the new standard on your
or your company’s inventions.
First, under the new standard, any
relevant patent application filed before an
Old Examining Standard
inventor’s patent application can be used to
The first to invent patentable
prevent the inventor
from obtaining patent subject matter is entitled to a patent
thereon.
protection for his or
her invention, or at
Grace period allows U.S.
applications to be filed up to a year
least to narrow the
after a public disclosure or sale.
scope of such protection. Under the new
Foreign patent documents are
standard, an inventor
prior art as of their publication date.
can obtain a patent
only on ideas,
concepts, or products
HABITAT HOUSE #10 READY FOR OCCUPANCY
harmane Kelly and her children
have a new home and a new
C
life. Charmane has worked hard to
qualify for her Habitat home—250
volunteer hours on her home and the
home of other Habitat recipients. She
has qualified for a 30-year mortgage,
interest free, on the balance of the cost
of building the home. That cost is far
less than a standard home because the
volunteer hours of people like TCBA
members helped defer the cost of
TCBA Bulletin
April
2013
labor. Thanks to TCBA members who
helped with their labor or helped with
their financial donations. Your help is
still needed for future homes, so don’t
forget to make a donation each year to
the Tarrant County Bar Foundation
designated specifically for Habitat for
Humanity.
9
TCBA
MEMBER
BENEFITS VENDOR
LIST
TCBA members may
take advantage of
discounts provided by
the following vendors:
ABA Retirement Funds program provides fullser vice 401(k) plans to benefit the legal
community. To learn more, contact local rep.
Jacob Millican at 817-451-5020 or visit
www.abaretirement.com.
AMO Office Supply offers TCBA members the lowest
price guaranteed on office supplies, with next-day
delivery and free shipping! Call 800-420-6421.
Falcon Litigation Solutions offers discounts on
copying, litigation displays, trial boards, etc. Call 817870-0330.
Fort Worth JSB Co., Inc., offers a 10% discount to TCBA
members on printed materials—business cards,
letterhead, envelopes, business forms, brochures, flyers,
and more. For a quote, call 817-577-0572.
New Fort Worth Zoo, discount tickets - $9.50 adult,
$6.50 for child or senior. For tickets, contact
cindy@tarrantbar.org or 817-338-4092. If mailing or
charging tickets, add 50 cents.
GREENH ILL
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Ranc
Golf Club
Presented
Pr
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By:
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Additional
A
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dditional
sponsors
spo
include:
Orang
Orange
a e Ener
Energy
rgy
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Schneider
Sc
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Law
aw Firm
Firm,
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Omni American Bank
Schatz
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Winstead,
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Winstead
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Godseey Martin, P.C.
Godsey
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BCDA
BCD
DA La
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Cantey
Cante
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Hanger,
angerr, LLP
McDonald Sanders
Sprint offers 15% off the monthly service. For info,
contact cindy@tarrantbar.org or 817-338-4092.
New UPS - TCBA has signed an agreement with UPS for
TCBA members to receive discounts on shipping. The
discounts vary according to the type of shipment, but
check out UPS for your needs. www.ups.com or 1-800PICK-UPS.
For IT help:
Juris Fabrilis-Cool Tools for Lawyers offers
members discounted rates on web-based tools to help
you manage your law practice. 817-481-1573 ext.
101.
Saturday,
S
aturdaay, April
April 20, 2013
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Thank yyou
ou
o tto
o our sponsors:
For Shredding and Document Disposal:
Magic Shred is a secure shredding business that
shreds your documents on-site. Magic Shred offers a
10% discount to TCBA members.
Expanco is N.A.I.D. AAA-Certified documentdestruction service offering 40% off to TCBA
members. Call TCBA office for details on both.
10
April 2013
Berdeja Law
Laaw Firm
Parker
Parker McDonald,
McDonald
d, P.C
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C.
The Beal La
Law
aw Firm
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Washington
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To
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o rregister
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veennts online,
onlinee, please visit:
www.lawalumni.txwes.edu/AlumniWeekend
www
w.la
. awaalumni.txw
wes
es.edu/
. /A
AlumniW
Weeekend
Regan
or contact R
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Donald at
at 817-212-3932.
817-212-3932.
All eevents
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TCBA Bulletin
TEXAS LAWYERS
FOR
TEXAS VETERANS —
Tarrant County Chapter
by Aleed J. Rivera, Pro Bono Programs Director
hank you to Kelly Hart and Hallman for again
sponsoring the January TLTV clinic. A total of 15
T
attorneys and 8 law students from Texas Wesleyan
participated, assisting 33 veterans in a wide range of legal
matters. During the month of February, 21 attorneys and 8
non-attorney volunteers (students and paralegals)
participated, and 46 veterans were served. All the clinics
receive support from TCBA and LANWT staff, including
staff attorneys, Laura Davis and Brent Schellhammer, and
MHMR volunteers.
Attorney volunteers included:
Thomas Annis
Anna Hodges
Caleb Bulls
Fred Howey
Courtney Burns
John Johnson
Marvin Champlin
Karin Mayer
Megan Cooley
J. Michael McBride
Wesley Cooper
George Muckleroy
John Corbin
Kim Naylor
Colleen Deal
Katey Powell
Chris Delisio
Chad Richwine
Rebecca Eaton
Misty Sheffield
Elizabeth Fitch
Chelsea Tabor
Atticus Gill
Brandon Weaver
Sim Goodall
Jeff Whitfield
Tony Harris
As of February the program has held 28 clinics and
served over 1,000 veterans. At every clinic, the volunteers
experience the same passion and commitment as the day
the first application was completed for a veteran. From the
beginning, the program made a difference—one veteran at a
time. It all started when one of the attorney volunteers,
Nancy Gordon, accepted a case pro bono and changed the
life of a veteran forever. In 2010, this veteran was living in
a transitional home for homeless veterans, with a huge child
support debt hanging over his head so he was unable to get
a driver’s license or to find a job. Nancy was able to
negotiate his debt to an amount he was able to pay. He
saved every penny until he repaid his child support
obligation. Because of this change in his circumstances, he
was able to obtain his driver’s license, get a job, and move
into his own apartment. Two years later, he has been
promoted to supervisor, and is an
example to many veterans facing
similar challenges.
The volunteers are making a difference in veteran’s lives
now, too. They are helping veterans who have served our
country and have helped ensure that we, our families, and
our country remain safe.
Our program was to grow to serve homebound veterans
or those unable to attend a clinic. To do this, the resources
have to grow so that the program can continue to provide
services to veterans in our community. The committee is
working to grow not only manpower resources, but also
financial resources. The program greatly appreciates the
help of the newest donors PINNACLE BANK, FROST, AND
WORTHAM INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT. Their
support will help us achieve the goals of the program by
upgrading the case management system so the program can
serve more veterans.
Please join the efforts of the TLTV program! Your
veterans need you. Clinics are held on the third Friday of
every month, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the Veteran's
Outpatient Clinic on S.E. Loop 820. You can volunteer to
serve as a consulting volunteer at a clinic and/or to take a
pro bono case in your area of practice. For more information, and to volunteer to serve our local veterans, visit
http://www.txltxv.org/, or learn more about how your firm
or law office can sponsor a clinic, contact Aleed Rivera at
(817) 338-4092 or aleed@tarrantbar.org.
NOTICE: District and County Courts
There is a revised civil case information sheet adopted by the Texas Supreme Court and approved by the
Texas Judicial Council which must be submitted in cases filed on or after March 1, 2013.
To get the information sheet, go to http://www.tarrantcounty.com/eCountyClerk/site/default.asp in the right pane.
TCBA Bulletin
April 2013
11
CHRIS GEE of the
a, A
Department of
at YL
T
M C
Homeland Security;
O ky W-T
CLINTON QUISENBERRY of
H ec t, F
S
n
Cantey Hanger L.L.P.; RYAN
P by Bside SCHARAR
of Anthony &
e
A
r
P
N
Middlebrook; SUSAN SMITH of
Cantey Hanger L.L.P.; CHRIS STOY of
Brackett & Ellis, P.C.; TENNESSEE
he Fort Worth Young Lawyers
W
ALKER of Harris Finley Bogle;
are ready to tackle their spring
JARED WOOD of Bourland Wall &
projects with its new slate of officers
and board of directors. Congratulations Wenzel P.C.; and BRITNEY
TOMBERLIN, our Texas Wesleyan Law
to our new officers: President BECKY
Student
liaison. And a big welcome to
MATA of the National Labor Relations
our
newest
board member, Katherine
Board; President-Elect JUSTIN HUSTON
Thomas of Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP.
of McDonald Sanders, P.C.; Vice
President VINNY CIRCELLI of Haynes
The TCYLA hosted its first Ronald
and Boone, L.L.P.; Secretary JENNY
McDonald House event on March 4,
GRAVLEY of GM Financial; and
which was made possible through a
Treasurer EMILY HOLLENBECK of
generous grant from the Texas Young
Schell Cooley, L.L.P . Returning
Lawyers Association. The event
members of the Board of Directors
consisted of preparing dinner for 50
include AMBER ALTEMOSE of Whitaker families of the Ronald McDonald
Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC;
House, whose mission is to provide a
ERIN COFER of the Office of the
supportive home-away-from-home for
Tarrant County District Attorney;
families of children receiving medical
A
A
L
Y
S
T
treatment at area hospitals. A big
thank you to Cody Cofer, Erin Cofer,
Laura Docker, Brendan Feeno,
Chris Gee, Clinton Quisenberry,
Ryan Scharar, Susan Smith, Justina
Wariya, and our other TCYLA
volunteers who prepared a tasty dinner.
The event was a lot of fun.
TCYLA hosted its family picnic on
March 23 at Tillery Park, where our
young lawyers brought their significant
others, spouses, children, and pets and
had some outdoor fun. As April
approaches, the TCYLA is looking
forward to Spring Fiesta on April 18 at
Joe T. Garcia's. As always, this is a
great event that helps support our
projects throughout the year. We hope
to see you there, so come out and get
ready for some great raffle prizes and
company!
Sincerely,
Becky
The TCBA Criminal Law Section is co-sponsoring a CLE event on Thursday, April 18 at 3:00 to
4:30 p.m. in the central jury room of the Tim Curry Justice Center (401 West Belknap Street). Steve
Jumes will be presenting “Civil Asset Seizure and Forfeiture.” (This issue runs concurrent with drug
arrests.)
Contact Lisa Haines at lisahaineslaw@att.net for RSVP and details.
I N M EMORIAM J UDGE R OBERT S NEED D AVIE
obert Sneed Davie passed
away February 8, 2013.
R
Judge Davie served as an administrative law judge through the Fort
Worth office of the Social Security
Commission. He was born January
12, 1919, in Elmore City,
Oklahoma. He graduated from
Healdton High School in Healdton,
Oklahoma, and earned a bachelor's
degree in history and a law degree from the University of
12
April
Texas at Austin. He served as
an artillery spotter in World War
II, fought in the Philippines and
South Korea, and was wounded, receiving a Purple Heart.
After the war, he was appointed district attorney for
Scurry County and practiced as an assistant prosecutor in
Dallas County in the office of District Attorney Henry
Wade. He moved his family to Washington, D.C., in 1957,
and went to work for a federal agency, the Indian Claims
Commission. He returned to Texas in 1964 to accept an
appointment as a hearings examiner in the Fort Worth
office of the Social Security Administration, later to
become an administrative law judge.
2013
TCBA Bulletin
Paid Advertisement
MAY 17, 2013
TARRANT COUNTY FAMILY LAW BAR ASSOCIATION
GOLF REGISTRATION FORM
NAME: ____________
____________________________________
__ ________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS: _______________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: _________
PHONE: _____________________________________________
FAX: ______
______________________________________________
_______
AVERAGE SCORE: ________________________________
and/or
USGA HANDICAP: _______________________________
TEAM MEMBERS: _________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
o m together with your check for
o $99.00 made out to the TCFLBA to
Return this for
DAVID KULESZ, 601 W. Abram Street, Arlington, Texas 76010.
CONTACT ANDY JONES FOR INFORMATION ON SPONSORING A HOLE @ 817-334-0640
COST $150.00
TCBA Bulletin
April
2013
13
F
ROM THE
CIVIL SIDE
ELOQUENCE—A LOST ART
Presidential candidate Henry Clay
(1824): I would rather be right than
be president.
Thomas Reed: The gentleman need
not trouble himself; he’ll never be
either. (Thanks to Roger Towery for
this item.)
WHO’S THE JUSTICE?
Hal S. Lattimore served as an
Associate Justice from 1932 to 1935.
A Fort Worth native, Justice Lattimore
graduated from Baylor University,
attended graduate school at the University of Chicago, and then received
his law degree from the University of
Texas in 1916. Upon graduation, he
was in private practice until his
appointment in 1923 as judge of the
96th District Court. At that time, he
was the youngest judge in the state.
Justice Lattimore was elected to the
Second Court of Appeals in 1932 and
returned to private practice in 1935.
For many years after his tenure on the
bench, he practiced with his son, Hal
M. Lattimore.
ASK JUDGE BOB:
Judge Bob, what is
the doctrine of
concurrent causation? Under the doctrine of concurrent
causation, where
covered and noncovered perils combine to
create a loss, the
insured is entitled to recover only that
portion of the damage caused solely by
the covered peril(s). The doctrine of
concurrent causation is not an affirmative defense or an avoidance issue;
rather, it is a rule embodying the basic
principle that insureds are not entitled
to recover under their insurance
policies unless they prove their
damage is covered by the policy.
Wallis v. United Servs. Auto. Ass’n, 2
S.W.3d 300, 302–03 (Tex. App.–San
Antonio 1999, pet. denied).?
ASK THE DANES—
Cleo and Ramses, is
there a law regarding
negligence of dog
owners or possessors?
Yes, to recover a
claim of negligent
14
BY J USTICE
B OB M C C OY , 2nd Court of Appeals
handling of an animal,
a plaintiff must prove:
(1) the defendant was
the owner or possessor
of an animal; (2) the
defendant owed a duty
to exercise reasonable
care to prevent the animal from
injuring others; (3) the defendant
breached that duty; and (4) the
defendant’s breach proximately caused
the plaintiff’s injury. Thompson v.
Curtis, 127 S.W.3d 446, 451 (Tex.
App.–Dallas 2004, no pet.); Allen ex
rel. B.A. v. Albin, 97 S.W.3d 655, 660
(Tex. App.–Waco 2002, no pet.) citing
Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255,
259 (Tex. 1974); Dunnings v. Castro,
881 S.W.2d 559, 561–62 (Tex. App.
Houston [1st Dist.] 1994, writ
denied.).
. . [T]he court must
reverse and remand for retrial because
the harm occurs when the appellant is
unable to properly present its
arguments on appeal due to the nature
of the question.” Texas Comm’n on
Human Rights v. Morrison, 381
S.W.3d 533, 537 (Tex. 2012).
THE DANES’ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Once in a great while . . . the
right person is fortunate enough to get
the right dog, to have the time to take
care of it, to connect with it in a
profound way.”–Jon Katz, A Dog Year:
Twelve months, Four Dogs and Me
5. Temporary Injunction
“To show a probable right to
recovery, the applicant is not required
to establish it will prevail on final
trial.” City of San Antonio v.
Headwaters Coalition, 381 S.W.3d
543, 550 (Tex. App. —San Antonio
2012).
ITEMS OF INTEREST
1. Inverse Condemnation
“Inverse condemnation is ‘a cause
of action against a governmental
defendant to recover the value of
property which has been taken in fact
by the governmental defendant, even
though no formal exercise of the
power of eminent domain has been
attempted by the taking agency.’”
Hearts Bluff Game Ranch, Inc. v.
State, 381 S.W.3d 468, 476 (Tex.
2012).
2. Dissolution
“[S]tatements expressing an intent
to dissolve a partnership at some
future time do not necessarily constitute an immediate dissolution of the
partnership as a matter of law.” Buck
v. Palmer, 381 S.W.3d 525, 526 (Tex.
2012).
3. Invalid Theory
“[W]hen a broad-form question
allows a finding of liability based on
an invalid theory, an appealing party
does not have to prove that the jury
actually relied on the invalid theory. .
April
2013
4. Nuisance
“[A] property owner is not entitled
to de novo review of an administrative nuisance determination in all
circumstances. . . . Instead, ‘a party
asserting a taking based on an
allegedly improper administrative
nuisance determination must appeal
that determination and assert [her]
takings claim in that proceeding.’”
City of Beaumont v. Como, 381
S.W.3d 538, 539—40 (Tex. 2012).
6. Tried by Consent
“[U]npleaded defenses that are
tried by the consent of the parties are
treated as if they had been raised by
the pleadings. An issue is tried by
consent when the record shows that
both parties understood the issue in
the case and the other party did not
complain.” Park v. Payne, 381 S.W.3d
615, 618 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2012).
7. Collateral Estoppel
“Deeming a stipulation executed in
a prior suit sufficient to give rise to
collateral estoppel seems rather logical. It constitutes not only an agreement or concession made in a judicial
proceeding by parties, but also a
judicial admission.” Bomar Oil &
Gas, Inc. v. Loyd, 381 S.W.3d 689,
693 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2012).
8. Electronic Media
“[F]raudulent or negligent
misrepresentations made through
electronic media do not establish
specific jurisdiction.” KC Smash 01 v.
TCBA Bulletin
Gerdes, Hendrichson, Ltd., 384
S.W.3d 389, 393 (Tex. App. —Dallas
2012).
9. Injunctions
“Injunctions are not intended to
grant relief for past actionable wrongs
or to prevent the commission of
wrongs not imminently threatened.”
Wiese v. Heathlake Cmty Ass’n. Inc.,
384 S.W.3d 395, 399 (Tex. App.—
Houston [14th Dist.] 2012).
10. Terms of Covenant
“The common law holds that if
any doubts arise from the terms of a
covenant, such doubts must be
resolved in favor of the free and
unrestricted use of land.” Wiese v.
Heathlake Cmty Ass’n. Inc., 384
S.W.3d 395, 401 (Tex. App.—
Houston [14th Dist.] 2012).
11. Attorney’s Fees
“Unless a controverting affidavit is
filed, an affidavit as to the amount of
attorney’s fees will be presumed
reasonable.” RSL Funding v. Aegon
Structured Settlements, 384 S.W.3d
405, 410 (Tex. App. —Eastland
2012).
12. Plea in Abatement
“The failure to file a plea in
abatement before proceeding to trial
constitutes a waiver thereof.” Lagow
v. Hamon ex rel. Roach, 384 S.W.3d
411, 418 (Tex. App. —Dallas 2012).
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“For they preach, but do not practice.”
Matthew 23:3
OLD NEWS
The “old” Denton County
courthouse is a National Registered
property built in 1896, replacing older
courthouses of 1877, 1858, and 1851.
Built of stone, the Romanesque
Revival structure boasts 80 pink
granite pillars. The county is named
for John B. Denton, an early
evangelist, who was killed in 1841 at
the Battle of Village Creek.
Y ou are invited to the
Fourth Annual Court Staff
Appreciation Reception and Awards on
Thursday, April 4, 2013,
at the Tarrant County Bar Center from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Show your appreciation to the court staff who help the legal community on a daily basis,
and see the presentation of the Outstanding Staff Awards as follows:
Patricia Cannon, Court Coordinator
Civil Court Staff:
153rd District Court
Carol Alexander, Court Coordinator
Criminal Court Staff:
Criminal District Court #1
Lisa Arnesen, Manager Family
Family Court Staff:
Division District Clerk’s Office
Jana McCrory, Courtroom Deputy
Federal Staff:
Bankruptcy Court
TCBA appreciates law firms & individuals for their generous contributions to make this event possible.
Second Court of Appeals E-News
The current vendor for e-filing at the Second Court of Appeals is Texas.gov. The Office of Court
Administration has signed a contract with a new vendor to provide e-filing to all Texas courts
through a system called TexFile. The court of appeals anticipates that e-filing through TexFile will
tentatively begin in September 2013 and that e-filing in civil cases will become mandatory no
later than January 1, 2014. For more information about TexFile and e-filing, please review the
Texas Supreme Court’s December 11, 2012, Order Requiring Electronic Filing in Certain Courts,
available at www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us, and visit the Second Court of Appeals’s website at
www.2ndcoa.courts.state.tx.us.
TCBA Bulletin
April
2013
15
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MEMBER FDIC
16
April
2013
TCBA Bulletin
Law Offices of
Steven C. Laird, P.C.
C ONTINUING
TO BE YOUR
TRUSTED COLLEAGUES FOR
Steve Laird
Wade Barrow
Sign up for the
Wrongful Death - Personal Injury
Referrals
BENCH BAR CONFERENCE
for April, 2013.
Steve Laird participated in the initial three Conferences as co-chair,
and continues to be a proud SPONSOR of this event each year.
*
Wrongful Death
*
Trucking Accidents
*
Car Wrecks
*
Workplace Injuries
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Oil and Gas Field Injuries
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Premises Liability
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Select Individual and
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Business Litigation
Quality Representation and
Referral Fees —
Two more good reasons to consider us.
www.texlawyers.com
817-531-3000
EXPERIENCED LAWYERS
SERIOUS CASES™
TCBA Bulletin
April
2013
FOR
17
Has danger struck?
When nature
doesn’t give you the
protection you need,
make sure you have
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insurance available.
Texas
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WOMEN, WINE & WISDOM
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C O M P L I M E N TA RY F I N A N C I A L L U N C H E O N S E R I E S
join us for a trio-salad, wine & this month’s topic:
“The Basics of Texas & Federal
ESTATE PLANNING”
MIRA VISTA
COUNTRY CLUB
WEDNESDAY 4/10
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
CITY
CLUB
FRIDAY 4/19
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
FORT WORTH
CLUB
TUESDAY 4/23
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
PETROLEUM
CLUB
THURSDAY 4/25
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Offering Comprehensive Wealth Management for Women.
For reservations call 817-732-4008. Men are always welcome too!
Julie Rosenthal, JD & CFP®
TEL 817-732-4008
www.JulieRosenthal.com
Securities & Advisory Services offered through National Planning Corporation, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor.
Julie Rosenthal Wealth Management and National Planning Corporation are separate and unrelated companies.
18
April
2013
TCBA Bulletin
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JMM P.C.____________
J. Michael McBride, P.C.
6300 Ridglea Place, Suite 101
Ft. Worth, TX 76116
Phone: (817) 877-1824
www.mcbridelegal.com
x
Proffessional Bankruptcy Advice
o
o
x
Mediation Services
o
o
o
TCBA Bulletin
April
2013
Representation For:
ƒ Lenders
ƒ Commercial Landlords
ƒ Corporate Creditors
ƒ Adversary Proceedings
ƒ Debtors
Deffeense Against:
ƒ Preffeerence Actions
ƒ Fraudulent Transfer Suits
All Civil Disputes
Prompt Scheduling
Remote Locations Available
19
20
April
2013
TCBA Bulletin
LL E I GN A EL
Personal Injury
TCBA SALUTES OUR VOLUNTEERS,
THE REAL STARS OF LEGALLINE
Referral Fees
For the fee from
$1
$50,000
$100,000
$250,000
$500,000
to
to
to
to
up
*Denotes Staff Volunteer
February 14, 2013
February 28, 2013
Joe Colvin
John Corbin
Jeff Kinsel
Joe Colvin
George Lockwood
Aleed Rivera
Your Share
$ 50,000
$100,000
$250,000
$500,000
27%
31%
36%
40%
50%
*Carolina Ibarra
on each date
To volunteer for LegalLine, call Carolina Ibarra at
817.338.4092 or email carolina@tarrantbar.org.
fÑxv|tÄ g{tÇ~á to Judge Mike Hrabal
We have a large staff and
a war chest to wage war
against insurance companies.
for underwriting the costs
of a light dinner for our LegalLine volunteers.
TARRANT MEDIATION CENTER
Scheduling Mediations Daily
Civil & Family Law Mediations
Available
Full- or half-day at
competitive rates
Experienced mediator
in a comfortable setting
and convenient location
Complimentary parking
817‐282‐9700
Email: lawyers@noteboom.com
669 Airport Freeway, Suite 100
I’m ready, willing and qualified to help you
resolve your conflicts ! Call Now !
J. Kevin Clark
Attorney-Mediator
C New Location B
Hurst, TX 76053
777 Main Street, Suite 600
Fort Worth, TX 76102
817-348-6723
Fax: 817-377-9893
The schedule above applies to cases
with liability and collectability.
www.lawyers.com
TCBA Bulletin
April
2013
21
M A R K Y O U R C A L E N DA R
M AY 2, 2013
June 20-21, 2013
FOR
FUTURE EVENTS
- L AW DAY AWARDS D INNER , Fort Worth Club
- S TATE BAR ANNUAL MEETING, Anatole Hotel, Dallas
OTHER ASSOCIATIONS’ NEWS & INFORMATION
FW-TCYLA 2012-2013 new Bar Year
began on September 1, 2012. If you
need an application or meeting information, call 817-338-4092, email cindy@
tarrantbar.org, or go to the website at
tcyla.org.
Arlington Bar Association meets on the
3rd Wednesday of each month. For
location & information, contact President
Lauren Gaydos Duffer at 817-548-5643.
MABA (Mexican American Bar
Association) meets on the last Thursday of
each month at Rivas Mexican Restaurant,
5442 River Oaks Blvd., River Oaks 76114.
For more information, contact President
Eloy Sepulveda at 817-332-1285.
Northeast Tarrant County Bar
Association (NETCBA) meets for CLE
luncheons on the 3rd Tuesday of each
month at LaHacienda Restaurant, Hwy.
121. Contact President Tena G. Fox at
817-280-0811 or tfox@leachlaw.com.
22
DAVIS
LEGAL
L.
CLIFFORD
ASSOCIATION (f/k/a) Tarrant County
Black Bar Association meets on the 3rd
Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. For
more information, contact President Nikki
Chriesman at 817-993-9536.
Tarrant County Criminal Defense
Lawyers Association (TCCDLA) meets
every 2nd Thursday at Joe T. Garcia's,
2201 N. Commerce. For more information, contact President Stephen E. Gordon
at 817-877-0610 or sgordon@stevegordon
andassociates.com.
Tarrant County Family Law Bar
Association meets at 12 noon on the 4th
Tuesday of each month at Family Law
Center Assembly Room on the 2nd floor.
For more information, contact President
Janet Denton at 817-884-1925 or email
jmdenton@tarrantcounty.com.
Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association meets on the 4th Wednesday of
April
2013
each month at Joe T. Garcia’s. For more
information, contact Jason Smith at 817334-0171
or
email
mhcorn75@
hotmail.com.
Tarrant County Probate Bar
Association meets on the 1st Thursday of
each month at the Petroleum Club—members free, guests $25. For more information, contact Aimee Stone, 817-8778175 or astone@shannongracey.com.
Texas Wesleyan School of Law Library
The Dee J. Kelly Law Library welcomes
bar members! Hours for April 2013:
Monday-Thursday 7:30am - midnight*
Friday
7:30am - 8:00pm*
Saturday
9:00am - 8:00pm*
Sunday
10:00am - midnight*
Exceptions: April 24 through May 13closed to the public; Guests need photo ID,
welcome Mon-Thu til 8pm, Fri-Sun til
6pm; *Alumni need school ID. For more
info, email reference@ law.txwes.edu.
TCBA Bulletin
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To make reservations for any of these events, contact Sherry Jones at 817-338-4092 or sherry@tarrantbar.org.
For more upcoming events, visit www.tarrantbar.org.
April 2013
TUESDAY, April 2
Noon
Collabrative Law Section Luncheon—Tarrant
County Bar Center, $12 members; $15 non-members
WEDNESDAY, April 3
11:45am
Women Attorney’s Section Luncheon—
City Club, $20 members; $25 guests
Noon
Corporate Counsel Section Luncheon—
Tarrant County Bar Center, $17 members; $20 guests
THURSDAY, April 4
11:15am to Court Coordinator Continuing Education Seminar
4:30pm
Part 2—Tarrant County Bar Center
4:30 to 7pm Court Staff Appreciation Reception & Awards
Presentation @6pm, Tarrant County Bar Center
FRIDAY, April 5
Noon
Environmental Law Section Luncheon—Reata
$15 members; $25 non-members guests
SATURDAY, April 6
7:00pm
TORTFEASORS3 Variety Show—Fort Worth Community Arts Center, 1300 Gendy Street, Fort Worth
MONDAY, April 8
4:30pm
TCBA Board Meeting, TCBA offices
TUESDAY, April 9
11:45am
CLE Membership Luncheon—Fort Worth Club
Speaker: John J. Michalik-Seattle, Washington
$23 members; $25 guests/walk-ins
WEDNESDAY, April 10
Noon
International & Immigration Law Section—
Luncheon, Tarrant County Bar Center, costs TBA
THURSDAY, April 11
Noon
Energy Section Luncheon—Petroleum Club,
$23 members; $25 guests/walk-ins
6-8pm
LegalLine—TCBA office; light dinner
FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY, April 12, 13 & 14
Bench Bar Conference XX, The Cliff’s Resort,
Possum Kingdom Lake (see Feb. issue)
MONDAY, April 15
Noon
Bankruptcy Section Luncheon—Petroleum Club,
$23 members; $25 guests/walk-ins
TUESDAY, April 16
Noon
Labor & Employment Law Section Luncheon—
Petroleum Club, $23 members; $25 guests/walk-ins
WEDNESDAY, April 17
Noon
Business Litigation Section Luncheon—
Fort Worth Club, $23 members; $25 guests
THURSDAY, April 18
Noon
Construction Law Section Luncheon—Tarrant
County Bar Center, $12 members; $15 guests
FRIDAY, April 19
2-5pm
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans Legal Clinic
VA Outpatient Clinic, 2201 S.E.Loop 820
SATURDAY April 20
Noon
Texas Wesleyan School of Law Annual Alumni
Crawfish Boil (see page 10)
TUESDAY, April 23
11:30am
Tax & Estate Planning Section Luncheon—
Cannon Estate Planning Teleconference Series
Petroleum Club, $20 section, $30 non-section
4:30pm
Solo/Small Firm Section Mixer—location TBA
5:30pm
TVAS Estate Planning Clinic—
Tarrant County Bar Center
THURSDAY, April 25
Noon
Appellate Section Luncheon—Fort Worth Club,
$23 members; $25 guests
6-8pm
LegalLine—TCBA office; light dinner
SATURDAY April 27
1-4pm
People’s Law School—Texas Wesleyan
Noon
Doors open for registration
TUESDAY, April 30
1-4pm
Last Tuesday CLE—Ethics -- TCBA Office
$80 members; $105 non-members
May 2013
WEDNESDAY, May 1
11:45am
Women Attorney’s Section Luncheon—
City Club, $20 members; $25 guests
1:30 to 5pm TLTV 2013 Veterans & the Law CLE Seminar—
Tarrant County Bar Center
THURSDAY, May 2
6:30pm
Law Day Awards Dinner—Reception
7:15pm
Dinner, Fort Worth Club (see page 4)
TUESDAY, May 7
Noon
Collabrative Law Section Luncheon—
Tarrant County Bar Center
THURSDAY, May 9
6-8pm
LegalLine—TCBA office; light dinner
MONDAY, May 13
4:30pm
TCBA Board Meeting, TCBA offices
THURSDAY, May 16
Noon
Construction Law Section Luncheon—Tarrant
County Bar Center, $12 members; $15 guests
FRIDAY, May 17
12:30pm
Brown Bag Series Seminar—TBA
2-5 pm
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans Legal Clinic
VA Outpatient Clinic, 2201 S.E.Loop 820
TUESDAY, May 21
11:30am
Tax & Estate Planning Section Luncheon—
Cannon Estate Planning Teleconference Series
Petroleum Club, $20 section; $30 non-section
Noon
Real Estate Law Section Luncheon—
City Club, $20 members; $25 guests/walk-ins
4:30pm
Solo & Small Firm Section Mixer—location TBA
WEDNESDAY, May 22 Members of program only
Noon
Transition-to-Practice Mentor Program—
Tarrant County Bar Center-RSVP to Cindy
THURSDAY, May 23
6-8pm
LegalLine—TCBA office; light dinner
MONDAY, May 27 TCBA closed for Memorial Day
TUESDAY, May 28
1-4pm
Last Tuesday CLE—Ethics—TCBA Office
TCBA Bulletin
2013
April
23
TARRANT C OUNT Y L AW L IBRARY
ACQUISITIONS
FEBRUARY 2013
Books:
• The Do-It-Yourself Texas Traffic Dismissal Book, 2012; Tate
• Primer on the Texas Law of Oil and Gas, Rev. 4th ed.; Lexis
• Protecting Your Assets: a Practical Guide for Asset
Protection; Knowles
• Representing Manufactured Home Owners/Renters in
Texas; Rio Grande Legal Association
• Scientific Evidence, 5th ed.; West
• Tarrant County Family Law in Review, 2012: @#$%
(Things) You Need to Know; TCFBA
• Texas Insurance Coverage Litigation, 2013: the Litigator’s
Practice Guide; ALM
• What Judges Want: a Former Judge’s Guide to Success in
Court, 2013; ALM
State Bar Audio:
• Advanced Civil Trial Course, 2012
• Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Course, 2012
• Advanced Evidence & Discovery Course, 2012
• Advanced Family Law Course, 2012
• Advanced Medical Malpractice Course, 2012
• Advanced Personal Injury Course, 2012
• Agricultural Law Course, 2012
• Essentials of Business Course, 2012
• Juvenile Law Course, 2012
• Marriage Dissolution Course, 2012
S K I P RSk
EYNOLDS
AT T O R N E Y
AT
L AW
Civil Trials and Appeals
l
Business
Disputes
l
Insurance
Disputes
l
Contract
Disputes
l
Professional
Liability
l
General Civil Litigation
www.attorneyreynolds.net
8 17. 3 9 0 . 0 3 0 0
Consultation or Representation
24
April 2013
TCBA Bulletin
LAWYERS
LAWYERS
on the move & in the news
Welcome New Members
The National Multicultural Western Heritage
Museum (NMWHM) announces the appointment
of CHRISTOPHER L. TAYLOR of Kelly Hart &
Hallman LLP to its Board of Directors. The
election of the museum’s newest board members
took place at the January 2013 board meeting.
GREGORY W. MONROE recently moved from
Law, Snakard & Gambill, P.C. to Murphy Mahon
Keffler Farrier, LLP at 505 Pecan Street, Ste. 101,
Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Greg can be reached at
(817) 632-6355 or gmonroe@murphymahon.com.
Lanter Westermann P.C. is pleased to announce
that DREW S. CHAPMAN has joined the firm as an
associate attorney. Drew can be reached at 226
Bailey Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Worth, Texas
76107, 817-335-0400.
Kelly Hart & Hallman is pleased to announce
that SHARON S. MILLIANS has been selected as an
Outstanding Woman in the Workplace by the Fort
Worth Commission for Women.
MARSHALL SEARCY has been selected as the
2013 recipient of the Texas Bar Foundation’s
Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer
Award. Mr. Searcy is a Partner at Kelly Hart &
Hallman LLP and is a Life Fellow of the Texas
Bar Foundation.
TCBA Bulletin
Attorney Members
Logan Bowser
Charlotte Buell
Andrew S. Chapman
Darby Dickerson
Shayla Friesen
Mark D. Gosdin
Candace LaBron
Molly Ann Lawrence
James R. Logue
Roy Matthews
Donald R. Miller
Lyndsay Newell
Mary M. Panzu
Kyle Payne
Yolonda Sewell
Cody J. Tucker
Joel K. B. Winful
Associate Members
Robert J. Allen
Misty Garrett
Student Members
Adam Bender
Paula Durham
Amanda M. Roark
Pamela S. Fernandez announces the moving of her firm
Fernandez & Associates, to 8305 Whitley Road, Suite B,
Watauga 76148, with telephone 817-831-3003, fax 817-8313019, and email pfernandezlaw@gmail.com.
April
2013
25
CLASSIFIED
ADVERTISING
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE
Large Fort Worth law firm seeks part/full time attorneys
with 3+ year's experience. Hours flexible. Submit
resume to Box 071-2013 at tcba@tarrantbar.org.
O FFICE S UITES . Office Space, Adjacent Civil - Criminal Family Courts. Fax - Xerox - Conference Rooms - Kitchen.
111 N. Houston or Wells Fargo North Main. Call 817-4292000 - Dale.
Watch TCBA website www.tarrantbar.org for
employment opportunities listed
after this issue went to press.
FURNISHED OFFICE SPACE/BUILDING FOR LEASE 2216 Forest
Park Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76110; 2,285 square ft.
includes 11 furnished offices, copier, conference room and
break room. Call for details Jennifer 817-926-2500.
S ERVICES
EXECUTIVE SUITES FOR LEASE. Full kitchen; conference
room; waiting area; ample parking. Call Chris or Karen for
info. 817-877-1555.
Raúl Cáñez for assistance with your immigration issues
in English or Spanish.
Raúl Cáñez para ayuda con sus asuntos sobre la
inmigración en español o inglés.
Raul.Canez@CanezLaw.com
817-886-0651
***************************
Virtual Law Office—Tarrant County. See our website
@ virtuallawoffice4U.com or call 817-282-0679.
REIS
R EAL E STATE I NFORMATION S ERVICES
Executive OFFICE SPACE available in PARK PLAZA
Contact Acuff & Gamboa, LLP at 817-885-8500.
BUILDING.
OFFICE BUILDING -320 Hemphill Street 76104, 5,800 +/- s.f.
Contemporary – Sale $1,150,000/Lease $10,000; Built in
1938; Completely renovated in 2007; Above-standard finishes
throughout with new roof in 2012; Three conference rooms;
Six exterior offices with Eight workstation cubes; T-1 Lines
throughout; Interior expansion capabilities; Two restrooms,
with shared shower; Open break room with seating area;
Workout room within space; Excellent visibility; Private
parking lot; Hemphill Street signage available; Located within
Medical District; Hemphill Street is slated for expansion to
connect with downtown Fort Worth in the near future;
Excellent access to I-30, I-35 and new SW Parkway; Office,
Medical, Retail—Contact craig@crockettfirm.com.
ARLINGTON—Fully Furnished Executive Office Space in
Central Arlington for Sublease. 1200 sq. ft located at 1156 W.
Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, Texas 76013 rentable until June
30, 2014. Reception area, four offices, file room, break room
and single restroom. Call or email Gaylene @ 817-317-9514,
Gaylene.smith@lgbs.com.
Title Searches throughout Texas
performed by professional
abstractors.
Fast, friendly &
accurate
S PA C E
www.reisresearch.com or 817-335-5092
IN
BAR CENTER
AVA I L A B L E
FOR
RENT
Not enough room for a large mediation,
arbitration, or deposition?
Remember the
Tarrant County Bar Center!!
With over 3,000 square feet, the Bar Center is a
great forum for large meetings and seminars. The
Center can be divided into three sections for mediations
and arbitrations, or use just one section for your smaller
meetings, luncheons, or study groups.
Also available for rent is the large boardroom or a
small conference room.
For information, contact
Tressia Graham at 817-338-4092 or tressia@
tarrantbar.org.
26
April
2013
TCBA Bulletin
There are honest trial lawyers out there. Lincoln proved it. And so will we. At Stephens, Anderson &
Cummings, we restore the honor of those who have been injured. We stand up, speak up and never
back down for the “little guy.” We fight for our clients with passion, integrity and grit. Because
being a trial lawyer is not just a job, it’s a calling. And our results speak for themselves. Let’s win this.
Personal Injury
Wrongful Death
P.817.920.9000 | stephensanderson.com
Jason Stephens is licensed in Texas and Oklahoma. Seth Anderson is Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law
by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. John Cummings is Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the
Texas Board of Legal Specialization and in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
TCBA Bulletin
October 2012
Contingent-Fee Litigation
stephens,
anderson
& cummings
Righting Wrongs
27
BAR BULLETIN - April, 2013
TARRANT COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
1315 CALHOUN STREET
FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76102-6504
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U. S. POSTAGE PAID
FORT WORTH, TX
PERMIT 1807
If any of your contact information is incorrect,
please submit your corrected information to the
TCBA office at (817) 338-4092, fax to (817)
335-9238 or e-mail to tcba@tarrantbar.org.