Bulletin September/October 2019
Steve Laird
Steve Laird is one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Texas* There’s a Reason
It takes years to establish a good reputation Handling Personal Injury Wrongful Death & 18-Wheeler Cases *Texas Super Lawyers, Top 100 (2005-2013, 2015-2018) - Thomson Reuters
Now One of Only 3 Texas Lawyers Board Certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
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S t e v e n C . L a i r d, P. C . 817.531.3000
1119 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, FORT WORTH, TX 76104
www.texlawyers.com
President’s Page
I
Time to “Fall” Into Action
hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable summer with some well-deserved downtime. In just a few more days fall will arrive in Texas, and with it a host of opportunities and events you won’t want to miss.
by JOHN CAYCE
New Law & Civics Committee
Another way we hope to spread the word about the work of the judiciary is through the work of the “Law & Civics Committee.” This new committee is composed of lawyers and judges charged with addressing issues related to the improvement of public education about the justice system and other civics topics, in addition to the Bar’s relationship with the Tarrant County judiciary. The committee is chaired by Judge R.H. Wallace.
September Luncheon Breakfast with the Judiciary Featuring Separate Among many other great events on our fall calendar, Author Steve Luxenberg the TCBA will once again host the popular Breakfast with
Last spring, the pastor of my church taught a deeply moving series of lessons on racial reconciliation. To augment his lessons, I purchased a book that had been released earlier in the year entitled Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson, and America’s Journey from Slavery to Segregation by Steve Luxenberg. This compelling book tells the story of that devastating decision through the lives of the admirable and flawed lawyers and judges involved in the case, as well as other individuals on each side of the fight for racial justice during that critical period. One of the heroes of the book is Justice John Marshall Harlan, the courageous author of the lone dissent in Plessy. His story will inspire and surprise you. You might also be surprised by the book’s relevance to current events. As one reviewer wrote, “Every paragraph resonates in today’s headlines.” I recommend the book to anyone desiring a better understanding of the history of the racial divide that continues to grip our nation, and what can happen when political or external pressures influence our courts. Mr. Luxenberg will be here to speak about his book at our September luncheon. For more details about that special event, turn to page 3.
Public Education About the Judiciary
As you may recall, my first President’s Page included a call for action by members to educate the public about the critical importance of an independent judiciary. One small way you can do this is to invite a non-lawyer client, friend, family member, or significant other to the September luncheon. You’ll have another opportunity to do that in November when Evan Thomas, the author of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s biography, First, will be here, along with her son, Jay. These are just two of the many ways we can do our part in furthering the public’s understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system. According to a recent report by the American College of Trial Lawyers Task Force on Judicial Independence, “the greatest threat to judicial independence may well be ignorance about the role of the judiciary.”
the Judiciary but with a new twist designed to benefit many more members. Beginning this October, the breakfast will now be open to all members of the Bar regardless of years of practice. Although the previous focus on younger lawyers was positive in many ways, we believe that the entire Bar should be able to enjoy this unique opportunity to fellowship with local judges. Details about this event are on page 17.
Judge Pittman Assumes Federal Bench
Speaking of local judges, there is a new federal judge in town. Judge Mark Pittman’s nomination for the federal district bench was confirmed in late July along with five other nominees for U.S. District Courts around the state. Judge Pittman was formerly a justice on the Second Court of Appeals and presiding judge of the 352nd District Court. Be on the lookout for an announcement about Judge Pittman’s formal investiture. The last time a new federal district judge was sworn in the Fort Worth Division of the Northern District of Texas was 1991 (Judge Terry Means).
It Is Time to Renew Your Membership
There are many more upcoming events on the fall calendar, but I hope you can see from this short list that the TCBA is committed to supporting and advancing our profession, as well as providing value to members in a way that enhances their professional and personal lives. Renewing your membership ensures that the TCBA can achieve this core mission. If you have not yet renewed, please take a moment to renew online at tarrantbar.org or contact our new Membership Director, Kimmie Hack, at kimmie@tarrantbar.org. If you are not already a member, this time of year is the perfect time to join and become involved in the TCBA and its programs. Membership applications are available online at https://tarrantbar.org/membership/join-now/ , or contact Kimmie. We look forward to seeing you, and please do not hesitate to reach out to me, another officer or board member, or any member of the TCBA staff if we can help you in any way. g
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 1
Contents Features
3 TCBA’s Fall Events & Book Club 14 TCBF “Justice for All” Gala Lifetime Community
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17 Breakfast with the Tarrant County Judiciary
Advertisers' Index
Directors Term Ends 2020
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Autumn Ridge Counseling and Wellness.......................9 Deborah Adame.........................................................27 Dispute Resolution Services........................................16 Juris Fabrilis...............................................................29 Law Offices of Steven C. Laird, P.C.......Inside Front Cover LawPay....................................................................30 Noteboom - The Law Firm............................................20 Parker Law Firm.........................................................25 Pyke & Associates, P.C..................................................9 RE/MAX Associates of Arlington...............................28 Red Mass Committee..................................................27 Tarrant County Probate Bar Association......................16 Texas Lawyers’ Insurance Exchange............................29 Tindall Square Office Complex....................................19 Varghese Summersett, PLLC.........................................7 2 www.tarrantbar.org SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
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817.338.4092 ▪ Fax 817.335.9238 website: www.tarrantbar.org email: tcba@tarrantbar.org
2019–2020 Officers President................................................John Cayce President-Elect...................................Gary Medlin Vice President...............................Kimberly Naylor Secretary-Treasurer..................Karen Denney
Service Award Recipients
Departments 1 President’s Page 4 YLA Snapshot 5 Calendar of Events 6 100 Club 8 Judicial Profile - Associate Judge Lori DeAngelis 10 A Word From Our Sections 12 Lawyers on the Move & in the News 13 Membership Report 13 Vendor List 18 Snippets 20 Other Associations’ News & Information 21 Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans 21 Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services 26 Benefits of Membership 27 LegalLine 29 CLE Corner 31 In Memoriam 32 Lawyer Referral & Information Service News 33 It’s All Happening Around the Bar
Tarrant County Bar Association
Director.........................................Cody Cofer Director.................................Veronica C. Law Director..............................................Lu Pham
Term Ends 2021
Director..............................Sherry Armstrong Director.............................Katherine Hopkins Director......................................Scott Lindsey
2019–2020 Appointed Directors Appointed Director..........................Sue Allen Appointed Director......................David Cook Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association Fall 2019 President....................Martin Garcia Fall 2020 President..................Andrea Palmer
Immediate Past President..................Lance Evans Executive Director..........................Megan Cooley Ex-Officio Members State Bar of Texas Director.......................................Steve Naylor Director................................Jason C.N. Smith Bar Bulletin Editor..............................................John F. Murphy Graphics/Production..................Elizabeth Banda The Tarrant County Bar Bulletin is a bi-monthly publication of the Tarrant County Bar Association. Articles, photos, suggestions or comments should be directed to: elizabeth@tarrantbar.org 1315 Calhoun Street ▪ Fort Worth, TX 76102-6504 Deadline for submission: December 1........................................January/February February 1...................................................March/April April 1...............................................................May/June June 1.............................................................July/August August 1..........................................September/October October 1.....................................November/December 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. Advertisements and feature articles should not be considered an endorsement of any service, product, program, seminar or event.
TCBA's Fall Events & Book Club
Join TCBA's Book Club! Book Club members can purchase books in advance, attend an informal book club meeting prior to each luncheon, have their book signed, and a photo taken with the author. For book club registration, visit www.tarrantbar.org/bookclub.
Thursday, September 12, 2019 • 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. • City Club ( Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.) $26 for TCBA members. $30 for public. On Thursday, September 12, 2019, Steve Luxenberg will speak about his book Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson, and America’s Journey from Slavery to Segregation (A New York Times Editors’ Choice). This book tells the backstories about the lawyers who argued the tragic Plessy v. Ferguson case, the justice who wrote the tortured majority opinion, and the sole courageous justice who wrote the prophetic dissent. To make reservations, register at members.tarrantbar.org/calendar/ or sherry@tarrantbar.org.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 • 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. • City Club ( Book Club members meet at 11:00 a.m. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.) On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, Evan Thomas and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s son, Jay O’Connor, will speak about Justice O’Connor and First, the authoritative biography about her. Proceeds will benefit iCivics, https://www.icivics.org/. Founded by Justice O’Connor in 2009, iCivics prepares more than 6 million students nationwide for informed, active citizenship each year.
EVENT SPONSOR
To make reservations, visit www.tarrantbar.org/novemberluncheon.
Free Member Friday Friday, October 4, 2019 • 12 p.m. • TCBA Office Bring Your Own Lunch On Friday, October 4, 2019, we have a special event designed for those who want to be more effective scriveners. Trish Hall, former NYT Op Ed editor, will speak to Bar members about her book Writing to Persuade. It is free to TCBA members. To make reservations, contact Sherry Jones at 817.338.4092 or sherry@tarrantbar.org.
YLA Snapshot Martin Garcia, President TCYLA
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ery early in my second year at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (now Texas A&M School of Law), I made a commitment to serve on the Tarrant County Young Lawyers board as a student liaison on behalf of the school. Sure, my comments in meetings were minimal at the time, but I believe my better purpose was to learn from my predecessors and really hone in on what defines the success of the organization. Fast forward roughly nine years, and it’s my turn to take the gavel from outgoing President, Rob Henry. Some say that past performance is no indication of future results. I believe that, and I’m ready to show the membership and community that my new board and I are up to the task. We will continue TCYLA’s trajectory by increasing engagement and charting the future of the Association. I’m excited, and I hope you share in that. Growing up in a military family, moving (often) from base-to-base was a part of life. I’m originally from Yuma, Arizona. Before finally making our way to the Fort Worth area, my family had stints in Beaufort, South Carolina; San Clemente, California; and El Paso, Texas. Fort Worth is home, though. I have not left her since I began my undergraduate studies at Texas Wesleyan University in 2005. I left the main campus and went straight to the law school where I finished up my seven years as a Ram in 2012 with a juris doctorate. Although not a native, I look forward to expanding on my decade-plus of involvement in the greater Fort Worth community in my capacity as your TCYLA President. I understand this snapshot has my picture on it, but I have to also recognize the amazing board that will be leading the charge with me: Andrea Palmer, President Elect; William Aulstin Gardiner, Secretary/Treasurer; and Directors Collin Ashworth, Garrett Bradshaw, Caroline Brownlie, Paul Elkins, Austin Franklin, Ellen Gastil, Elizabeth Haslam, Will Haslam, Kolter Jennings, Matt Meyer, Spencer Nilsson, and Brian Singleterry. Hold all of us accountable. Help us encourage firms to have 100% Young Lawyer involvement. Interact with us on social media. One of the biggest questions in my head as I take the helm is, “What kind of impact do we want to have?” I also ask myself, “What do we want the community to say about TCYLA?” In order to answer those in the best manner, I need your help and am calling on all Young Lawyers to commit to bettering the organization with
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the new board. If you’re not a member yet, become one today. I look forward to serving and seeing you out in the community, at a networking event, at a happy hour or at a CLE soon. Let’s do this. g
From Left: Megan Cooley, Aulstin Gardiner, Martin Garcia, and Andrea Palmer at the 2019 Bar Leaders Conference.
http://www.tcyla.org/
We're Social | Follow Us Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association @TCYLA If you need an application or meeting information, call 817.338.4092 or email kimmie@tarrantbar.org.
Calendar of Events
September 2019
October 2019
2 Labor Day Holiday Office Closed
3 Fort Worth Business & Estate Section Mixer 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Texas Bird Café – Bring a Friend!
4 Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Luncheon 12 pm, City Club Topic: ADR at Texas A&M--and in the Courts CLE: 1 hour requested
4 FREE Member Friday 12 pm, TCBA Office, Bring Your Own Lunch Speaker: Trish Hall, author of Writing to Persuade
4 TMCP Save the Date Reception 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, Texas A&M University School of Law 12 CLE Membership Luncheon 11:45 am - 1:00 pm, City Club Speaker: Steve Luxenberg, author of Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson, and America’s Journey from Slavery to Segregation 12 LegalLine 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, TCBA Office 16 Bankruptcy Law Section Luncheon 12 pm, Petroleum Club Topic: Cyber Protection 17 Real Estate Section Luncheon 12 pm, City Club Topic: Intersections of Real Property and Water Law in Texas, CLE: .75 hour requested 17 International & Immigration Law Section Luncheon 12 pm, La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant – Colleyville Topic: Current EB5 Status and Pathway to Green Card for Investors, CLE: .75 hour requested 19 Construction Law Section Luncheon 12 pm, TCBA Office 20 Fort Worth Business & Estate Section Luncheon 10:30 am – Advanced Session – 1 hour CLE, City Club 11:30 am – Lunch and Regular Session – 1 hour CLE Topic: Hot Topics in Estate Planning 20 TLTV Clinic 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, TCC South Campus 5301 Campus Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119 24 Tax & Estate Planning Section Luncheon 11:30 am, Petroleum Club Topic: Contemporary Uses for Life Insurance in Estate Planning 25 Business Litigation Section Luncheon 12 pm, City Club Topic: Texas Discovery: Twenty Things You Don't Know or Think You are Doing Wrong, CLE: 1 hour requested 25 Solo & Small Firms Section Mixer 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Office of Brad Parker 26 LegalLine 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, TCBA Office 27 Brown Bag Seminar – Ethics 12:00 pm - 3:45 pm, TCBA Office, CLE: 3 hours in Ethics 30 TCYLA & TCBA’s 2019 Charity Golf Tournament 1:00 pm Shotgun Start, Mira Vista Country Club
9 Corporate Counsel/Labor & Employment Sections Mixer 5:30 pm, Cowtown Brewing Co 10 Breakfast with the Judiciary 7:30 am - 9:30 am, TCBA Office 10 Energy Law Section Luncheon 12 pm, Petroleum Club 10 LegalLine 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, TCBA Office 11 Brown Bag Seminar – Probate/Elder Law 12:00 pm - 3:45 pm, TCBA Office, CLE: 3 hours 15 Labor & Employment Law Section Luncheon 12 pm, City Club Topic: Mini Horses and Dogs and Peacocks, Oh My! What Your Client Needs to Know About Service Animals, CLE: .75 hour requested 16 Appellate Law Section Luncheon 12 pm, City Club Topic: Reason for Reversal in the Fort Worth Court of Appeals, CLE: .75 hour requested 17 Fort Worth Business & Estate Section Luncheon 11:30 am, City Club Topic: Economic and Market Insights, CLE: 1 hour requested 17 Construction Law Section Luncheon 12 pm, TCBA Office 18 Adoption Day Training 12 pm, TCBA Office, CLE: 1.5 hour requested 18 TLTV Clinic 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, TCC Northwest Campus WSTU Bldg. Room 1305 4801 Marine Creek Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76179 National Pro Bono Week (October 20-26) 21 Bankruptcy Law Section Luncheon 12 pm, Petroleum Club 22 Tax & Estate Planning Section Luncheon 11:30 am, Petroleum Club Topic: Unmaking Messes 24 LegalLine 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, TCBA Office 25 Transition to Practice: Law Practice Management: Tips & Tricks for Success 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, TCBA Office, CLE: 4 hrs / 2.5 Ethics
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 5
Members of the 2019–2020
100 Club
*List Reflected Below is as of August 29, 2019 Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C Anderson & Riddle, LLP Baker Monroe, PLLC Barlow Garsek & Simon, LLP Bourland, Wall & Wenzel, P.C. Brackett & Ellis, P.C. Brown, Proctor & Howell, LLP Bruner & Bruner, P.C. City Attorney's Office - Fort Worth Dawson Parrish, P.C. Decker Jones, P.C. Dowell Pham Harrison, LLP Forshey Prostok, LLP Friedman, Suder & Cooke, P.C. Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. Haynes and Boone, LLP Holland, Johns & Penny, LLP Hutchison & Stoy, PLLC Jackson Walker, LLP K&L Gates Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP KoonsFuller, P.C.
Law, Snakard & Gambill, P.C. Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP McDonald Sanders, P.C. Mellina & Larson, P.C. Moses, Palmer & Howell, LLP Murphy Mahon Keffler & Farrier, LLP Nelson Bumgardner Albritton, P.C. Noteboom Law Firm Phelps Dunbar, LLP Second Court of Appeals Seltzer & Dally, PLLC Sharen Wilson, Criminal District Attorney’s Office Stephens, Anderson & Cummings, LLP Taylor Olson Adkins Sralla & Elam, LLP The Blum Firm Udeshi Law Firm Varghese Summersett, PLLC Watson, Caraway, Midkiff & Luningham, LLP Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz, PLLC Wick Phillips Winstead, P.C.
100 Club
To be eligible for the 100 Club, any law firm, government agency, law school, or corporate legal department that has four or more members and attains 100% TCBA membership compliance for the 2019–2020 bar year qualifies for the “100 Club.” The firms/organizations listed (above) have already paid their membership dues and qualify for 100 Club membership for the new bar year. Any firm/organization
that qualifies in the future will have its name published in every issue of the Bar Bulletin for this bar year. TCBA is proud of the participation of these law firms and other groups. The new bar year began on July 1; if you have not paid your renewal invoice, contact our Membership Director, Kimmie Hack, at 817.338.4092 or email her at kimmie@tarrantbar.org. g
Judicial Profile
By Perry Cockerell
Associate Judge Lori DeAngelis
O
n May 3, 2018, Lori DeAngelis was sworn in as the Associate Judge of the 325th Family Court. Judge Judith Wells, Judge of the 325th District Court, conducted the ceremony in the courtroom. Judge DeAngelis comes to the bench as a seasoned and multi-talented attorney with over twenty years of exclusive family law practice as a trial attorney and mediator. “It is all that I have ever known.”
Background
Judge DeAngelis was raised in Hurst, Texas, with her younger brother and sister, and she graduated from L.D. Bell High School. Her mother was a school teacher in the Hurst Euless Bedford ISD and her father was an air traffic controller at DFW Airport. She graduated from University of North Texas on a volleyball scholarship. In 1990 she graduated from Baylor Law School.
Assistant Attorney General
She took her first job as an Assistant Attorney General working in the Garland office and then in Fort Worth at their office in Town Square Mall off Seminary Drive. “I prosecuted paternity cases and enforced child support orders. It was extremely high volume. There would be thirty to sixty cases in one day for three attorneys to handle. I did a lot of contempt cases.” She handled cases in Tarrant and its surrounding counties. “In the outlying counties, there were not courts dedicated for child support cases, so we would just use the District Judge’s Court and we would have a traveling IV-D Judge. If the District Judge had a trial going on, then we would have our hearing in a hall with our file sitting on a window sill. I went to court four days a week. When they say you can never find the AG it is because they are in the courthouse trying cases. If you want to talk to the AG go to the 1st floor and find them.”
Private Practice
After three years as Assistant Attorney General she accepted a position with Bailey & Galyen in Arlington, where she worked with Gayle Temple, who practiced family law. “It was a good experience. On my first day of work, I had three hearings. It was divorces and custody. I represented all sides.
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I was fortunate because Lori Spearman was my paralegal. We worked hard and had fun.” In 1996 she set up her own law office on Mesquite in downtown Arlington where she office-shared with Charla Moore and George Griffith. In 1999 she married George Griffith at a ceremony at Lake Tahoe. They now have two children, Cole and Carson, ages 18 and 16. Cole is an Eagle Scout and will start college at UTA this fall. Carsen will be a junior at Martin High School. “It was tough raising two children and practicing law. My mother kept them during the day. At lunch I would go to her house to see them and then either return to the courthouse or go to the office.” She has always had a strong desire to help families and the children of Tarrant County. During her twenty-eight year career prior to joining the bench, she handled over 2,500 family law matters and mediated over 700 family law matters. She also had ad litem appointments in Child Protective Service cases and amicus appointments in private family-law matters. She is a certified Family Law Mediator since 1997 and licensed in Collaborative Law since 2005.
Appointment as Associate Judge
As for transitioning from attorney to judge, “I’ve really enjoyed it. It is different. I have been around the practice for so long. I mediated and I felt pretty comfortable. The hardest part is that you want to be the lawyer, but you can’t.” Her goal as Associate Judge is to help families through the difficult family process. “I appreciate how difficult these cases are on the parents, grandparents and children, and I understand that families have to work together after the litigation ends.”
Practice Before Judge DeAngelis
Hearings are set at 8:30 each morning and range from Temporary Orders, discovery disputes, motions to sign, pre-trials, and all other matters related to contested family law issues. Enforcement matters and Protective Order hearings are scheduled on Thursday, and that is the only day she has a court reporter. If parties wish to have a court reporter on other matters, then they need to bring their own. If the attorneys and parties agree, then the Associate Judge may hear final trials, and those are generally set on Thursdays at 1:30 if the parties want to have a court reporter. If the parties waive a record, then a final may be set on any afternoon.
Advice
Attorneys should prepare their clients for their first appearance to the Associate Judge’s Court. They should
expect there to be a wait because the court handles 10–18 cases each morning. If attorneys need more than two hours or if parties are coming from out of town then they should contact the Court Coordinator, Cheryl Lopez, and obtain a special setting. Attorneys need to check the local rules to be prepared for their hearings. They should come with income and expense statements prepared ahead of time and with copies. They need to check in with the bailiff and advise if they need to be in other courts or if they are going to be late to court. If you pass a hearing, call the day before and let the coordinator or the bailiff know. Please keep the bailiff updated on your cases each morning. The Judge encourages talking and trying to reach agreements. This helps to dispose of cases each day. If you file a motion for continuance, it will need to be set and heard. Those motions are not ruled on by submission. If both attorneys and parties agree, the attorney setting the original hearing may call and announce that all have agreed to pass or reset the hearing. If you have a pro se litigant on the opposing side, the attorney must still attempt to confer with the litigant and attempt to get some agreed upon dates prior to setting a hearing or motion. Judge DeAngelis said, “It has been a pleasure to serve as the Associate Judge for the past year. Tarrant County has always been a great place to practice law and it is a great place to serve in my new capacity as the Associate Judge of the 325th.” g
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Kate Casey, LPC, JD
and implement a plan which will allow you to become the best version of yourself.
Contact me. Together we will chart the course for your success. 817.881.1914 • Kate@AutumnRidgeLPC.com AutumnRidgeLPC.com | 270 Miron Dr. #112, Southlake, TX 76092
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 9
. . . And Now a Word
T
From Our Sections
he Tarrant County Bar Association has 18 sections that hold a variety of events throughout the year. Now that school is back in session, the sections are getting into full swing. If you have renewed your dues and included your section dues, you will begin receiving notices about upcoming events. This is a good way to get CLE credit and network with others in your area of law, all during the workday. If you are interested in joining a section, please contact the section chair of your choice. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call or email Sherry Jones at 817.338.4092 or sherry@tarrantbar.org.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Dan Paret, Brown Pruitt Wambsganss Ferrill & Dean, P.C. 817.338.4888 – dparet@me.com Dues: $25
Environmental Law Section Tim Capps 817.658.1840 – timothy.capps@terracon.com Dues: $15
Appellate Law Section Scott Lindsey, Gardner & Smith PLLC 817.737.4000 – slindsey@gardnersmithlaw.com Dues: $25
FW Business & Estate Section Bond Malone, PlainsCapital Bank 817.258.3741 – bond.malone@plainscapital.com Dues: $45
Bankruptcy Law Section Paul Wright, MP Wright Law Group, PLLC 214.420.6465 – paul@wlg.law Dues: $50
Intellectual Property Law Section Jeff Slattery, Texas A&M University School of Law 817.212.4051 – jslattery@law.tamu.edu Dues: $25
Business Litigation Section Jack Price, Friedman, Suder & Cooke 817.334.0460 – price@fsclaw.com Dues: $30
International & Immigration Law Section Francis Nathan, Nathan Law PLLC 817.935.8008 – fnathanjd@gmail.com Dues: $20
Collaborative Law Section Lauren Duffer, Gaydos Duffer, P.C. 817.548.5643 - lauren@gaydosduffer.com Dues: $20
Labor & Employment Law Section Antonio Allen, Dowell Pham Harrison, LLP 817.632.6313 – aallen@dphllp.com Dues: $20
Construction Law Section Tom Myers, Brackett & Ellis, P.C. 817.338.1700 – tmyers@belaw.com Dues: $30
Real Estate Section Jessica Sangsvang, City Attorney’s Office 817.392.6285 – jessica.sangsvang@fortworthtexas.gov Dues: $15
Corporate Counsel Section Eric Alexander, Ben E. Keith Company 817.877.5700 – ebalexander@benekeith.com Dues: $20
Solo & Small Firms Section Antoinette Bone, The Law Office of Antoinette Bone, PLLC 817.929.6017 – antoinette@abonelaw.com Dues: $20
Criminal Law Section Brad Clark, The Clark Firm, P.C. 817.332.7739 - fwlawyer@swbell.net Dues: $15
Tax & Estate Planning Section Ryan Heath, Wick Phillips 817.332.7788 – ryan.heath@wickphillips.com Dues: $35
Energy Law Section Brian Smith, Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC 817.878.0587 - bsmith@whitakerchalk.com Dues: $25
Women Attorneys Section Kelly Decker, Decker Poole, PLLC 817.348.9060 – kelly@deckerpoole.com Dues: $30
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1:00 PM Shotgun Start • $150 per Golfer 4 Person Team Scramble. Register as a team or individually. Winning Team, Closest to the Pin, and Longest Drive SPONSORSHIPS Golf Hole Sponsorships are Tax Deductible and available for $450. Golf Hole Sponsorships benefit the Tarrant County Bar Foundation, which was established in 1997 to support and expand its commitments to “justice, service, and professionalism” by funding important community service projects. Golf Hole Sponsorship payments must be made directly to the Tarrant County Bar Foundation.
Banquet Sponsorships are available for $550 to cover food & beverage costs, and $50 off a team entry.
Banquet Sponsorship payments must be made directly to the Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association.
Your sponsorship will include signage at event, recognition in promotional materials, recognition at the awards ceremony and tournament. Team Pairings due Friday, September 20 by 5:00 PM to kimmie@tarrantbar.org.
6600 Mira Vista Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76132 www.miravistacountryclub.com
To download registration form, visit www.tarrantbar.org/golftournament. Please submit the entry form and payment (check or card) to 1315 Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. You may also fax your form to 817-335-9238 or email it to Kimmie Hack at kimmie@tarrantbar.org. Please contact Martin Garcia at martin@simplifiedtitleco.com for further questions.
Welcome New Members of the TCBA: ATTORNEYS
Travis Alley David L. Benford Cary Bruner Susan Cartwright Valeria Caso Brent Chandler Daniel S. Chavez Jeff Cochran Lisa Curnutt Emily Daniell Ndidi Gbulie Kathleen Gerber Courtney Hanson Maris Harris Bradshaw Hawkins Catherine Hensley Brian Herrmann Andrew Richmond Knop Paige A. Lewiecki Josefina Louis Lisa McBee James McClain Jenifer Pfanzelt Alexia Quintero Ashley Reichner Cameron Salehi Candace L. Sandifer Barry Shelton Patrick Z. Smith Tomiyo Stoner Bryan Street Nicholas Wyss Jasmine Vu Debra Kelly Zahalsky
STUDENTS
Amber August Hunter Mattocks Emmanuel Ogiban Rebecca Jerome Alexis Ritzer Cole F. Watson
ASSOCIATES
Valerie Parrish-Townsend Brie Reyes Matt Wiley
PARALEGAL
Cathryn M. Hill Susana Lewis
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Lawyers on the Move &
in the News
Brackett & Ellis is pleased to announcement that Dr. Sarah S. Flournoy has joined our School Law Practice Group. Prior to joining Brackett & Ellis, Dr. Flournoy worked at Irving ISD as a staff attorney, within her first year she was promoted to Chief Legal Counsel and continued in that position for over two years. At Irving ISD, she handled all legal matters for the District, provided legal advice and counsel to District officials and the Board of Trustees, represented the District in judicial and/or administrative proceedings, and worked with outside counsel.
Ross Vitek and Sid Lange, both formerly partners with Cantey Hanger, LLP, announce the opening of their new firm, Vitek Lange PLLC. The office is located at 300 Throckmorton, Ste. 650, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Ross may be reached by email at rvitek@viteklange.com or by direct dial at 817.885.5612. Sid may be reached by email at slange@viteklange.com or by direct dial at 817.885.5610. The firm handles a wide variety of litigation, construction and business related matters.
Brandy Austin Law Firm is pleased to announce the addition of two new attorneys. The attorneys will be based in our Arlington office and include two associate attorneys: Magdalena Avila and Dietrich Odom. Magdalena has been practicing law for 19 years and is our new personal injury attorney. She graduated with an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from The University of Texas at El Paso. Dietrich has been practicing for 12 years and is our new family law attorney. Dietrich graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree Magna Cum Laude from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas in 2000 with a major in Religion and a minor in Philosophy.
Decker Cammack, J.D. (U. of Houston, 2002) (B.S., Engineering Physics, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 1994), has been elected an equity member of Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC, as of September 1, 2019. Cammack joined Whitaker Chalk on 1/1/16 and is an intellectual property litigation, transactions, and licensing lawyer.
Tave Parker Doty, J.D. (Texas A&M, 2017), Ph.D. (Statistical Science, Baylor U. 2011), joined Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC, as of 10/2/17, and is a securities, general corporate, agriculture, healthcare, and mergers and acquisitions lawyer. Rob B. Schmid has joined Pope, Hardwicke, Christie, Schell, Kelly & Taplett, L.L.P., 500 W. 7th Street, Suite 600, Fort Worth, TX 76102. He can be reached at 817.332.3245 or rschmid@popehardwicke.com.
â–Ş SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. is pleased to announce that J. Nathaniel James has rejoined our appellate and litigation practices after returning to practice in Fort Worth. Nathaniel previously worked with HFB for several years following his graduation from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 2011.
Jessica Lavely, J.D. (New England Law), LL.M. (Taxation, Boston U.) joined Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC, as of 3/1/19 as a tax, securities, general corporate, healthcare, mergers and acquisitions lawyer. She previously was in private law practice in Florida, spent over five years as Director in Compliance and Risk Management for Workplace Investing in one of the world’s largest asset management companies, and then as general counsel for a healthcare consulting company before joining Whitaker Chalk.
Enrique (“Rick”) Sanchez, Jr., J.D. (Texas Wesleyan U.), (B.S., Electrical Engineering, New Mexico State U.), Registered Patent Attorney (US PTO) joined Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC, as of 11/21/16, as a patent prosecutor and an intellectual property transactions, litigation, and licensing lawyer – domestically and internationally. g
H
Lawyers on the Move & in the News
If you are a TCBA member and would like to place an announcement in the Bar Bulletin, we would like to hear from you. Please submit information by email to elizabeth@tarrantbar.org.
Membership Report
ello, my name is Kimmie Hack. I wanted to introduce myself to you as the new Membership Director here at the TCBA. My time thus far has been spent getting up-to-speed on all the wonderful things that are accomplished by your participation. As the newest staff member, I consider one of my responsibilities to be a collection box for your suggested ideas, feedback, and occasional legalese meme. Please email me kimmie@tarrantbar. org to share what is on your mind or just to say hello. I don’t know what it is about the fall season that inspires us to begin de novo, but I believe it is the perfect time to commit to be more intentional. I am excited about this upcoming year at the Bar and encourage you to take advantage of your membership benefits by engaging in the community we have established.
We are working fervently on the diversity of our offerings thanks to the input you’ve already given. Stay up to date on our members-only events by reading your Monday email from us, reading the issues of the Bulletin, visiting us on our website https://tarrantbar.org/, and following us on our social media accounts. @TarrantCountyBarAssociation (Facebook) @TarrantBar (Twitter) @tarrantcountybar (Instagram) A final note of housekeeping, reminder dues renewal invoices were mailed out in August. If you have already renewed your membership for the 2019-2020 year: Thank you. It is an honor to serve you this year and I hope to meet you very soon at the Bar. g
Member Benefits Vendor List
TCBA members may take advantage of discounts provided by the following vendors: ABA Retirement Funds Program provides full-service 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 Document Solutions offers discounts on copying, litigation displays, trial boards, etc. Call 817.870.0330. Fort Worth JSB Co., Inc., offers a 10% discount to TCBA members on printed material - business cards, letterhead, envelopes, business forms, brochures, flyers, and more. For a quote, call 817.577.0572. Fort Worth Zoo discount tickets - $11.00 adult, $8 for child or senior. For tickets, contact anne@tarrantbar.org or 817.338.4092. If mailing or charging tickets, add 50 cents. 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, so check out UPS
for your needs at www.ups.com or 1.800.PICK.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. 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. Call the TCBA office for details. Expanco is N.A.I.D. AAA-Certified document destruction service offering 40% off to TCBA members. Mention your TCBA membership when scheduling an appointment to receive this discount on your invoice. Thomson Reuters Exclusive TCBA offer of 10% off Firm Central subscriptions to Bar members* Please contact Amanda Olson, your local Account Executive, for more information at: Amanda.Olson@tr.com. g
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 13
The Tarrant County Bar Foundation is pleased to announce that Judge L. Clifford Davis and Tillie Burgin are the Foundation’s first-time award recipients of the Tarrant County Bar Foundation’s Lifetime Community Service Award. The awards will be presented at the “Justice for All” Gala at the Whiskey Ranch on November 1, 2019.
Judge L. Clifford Davis
J
udge L. Clifford Davis was born in Wilton, Arkansas on October 12, 1924. From 194546, he attended Howard University Law School in Washington, DC. He later applied to attend the University of Arkansas Law School but was denied admission due to his race. He returned to Howard University Law School and graduated in 1949 and was thereafter admitted to the Arkansas Bar. Judge Davis was first employed by W. Harold Flowers, a noted Arkansas civil rights attorney, with whom he worked on a number of criminal and civil rights cases. He later moved to Camden, Arkansas, to open his own law practice with Shepperson Wilburn. Together, they filed suits to desegregate schools throughout Arkansas. Judge Davis moved to Waco and was admitted to practice law in Texas in 1953. He later moved to Fort Worth to start a practice, but immediately received a military draft notice. He
Tillie Burgin
T
illie Burgin is Executive Director of Mission Arlington / Mission Metroplex in Arlington, Texas, a charitable organization that she founded in 1986. Mission Arlington follows Ms. Burgin’s lifelong passion for modelling Jesus Christ by extending a helping hand to every person at their point of need through a wide range of services including daily Bible studies, medical and dental care, child and adult day care, clothing, food, furniture, transportation, and counseling. Ms. Burgin was born one block away from Mission Arlington’s offices. She graduated from Arlington High School and received her M.A. (1963) and B.A. (1958) from North Texas State University. She holds Supervision Certificates and Special Education Certificates from Texas Christian University, as well as an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Dallas Baptist University. Between 1971 and 1988, Ms. Burgin served the Arlington Independent School District as Director of Employee
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was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1955. Following his military service, Judge Davis returned to Fort Worth and opened his own law office where he began a general civil and criminal practice. Despite handling a variety of civil and criminal cases, he was unable to join the Tarrant County Bar Association as it was still segregated. In 1983, Governor Mark White appointed Judge Davis to Criminal District Court No. 2, and the following year he became the first elected black judge in Tarrant County. After his term ended in 1988, Judge Davis continued to serve as a visiting judge until 2004, when he retired. He now works with the firm of Johnson, Vaughn & Heiskell, where he goes to the office on a daily basis and mentors young attorneys. In addition to his career in law, Judge Davis also worked to establish the Tarrant County Junior College District, now known as Tarrant County Community College. Over the years, he received numerous awards, including the Tarrant County Bar Association’s Blackstone Award, and in 2017, the University of Arkansas Law School awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree, 71 years after its initial refusal to admit him. Relations; Director of Personnel; Elementary Consultant; Elementary Classroom Teacher; Supervisor of Special Education; and Special Education Teacher. She was a missionary with the Southern Baptist Convention Foreign Mission Board in the early 1970s. Prior to her missionary work, she tutored children in Arlington and taught high school in Seoul, Korea. Throughout the span of her long ministry and education careers, Ms. Burgin has received numerous awards including the Bill and Shari Bowie “Community Leadership Award” from the Arlington YMCA; the “Art of Giving Award” by the Fort Worth City Magazine; the “Tom Landry Award” by Dallas Baptist University; the “Anson Jones Award” by the Fort Worth Scottish Rite Foundation; the “Arlington Chamber Star Award”; the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Sharing the Dream” award for community service; and the “City of Arlington” Award. Ms. Burgin has been recognized by the Fort Worth Business Press as one of the “Great Women of Texas”; by Wells Fargo Bank as a “2nd Half Champion”; and by the Texas Campus Compact as a “Community Hero.” She has served as “Pastor of the Day” for the Texas House of Representatives and received a Proclamation from the State of Texas for her selfless work serving the North Texas community. g
CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C. Bell Helicopter Brackett & Ellis, P.C. Cantey Hanger LLP Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. Haynes and Boone, LLP Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP McDonald Sanders, P.C.
PATRONS OF JUSTICE
Bourland, Wall & Wenzel, P.C. BNSF Railway Decker Jones, P.C. Kearney | Wynn Parker Law Firm Sharen Wilson, Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC
ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE
The Brender Law Firm Dowell Pham Harrison LLP Higginbotham Insurance & Financial Services Law Office of Francisco Hernandez The Medlin Law Firm Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, PLLC Texas A&M University School of Law Texas Lawyers Insurance Exchange Patti Gearhart Turner Winstead PC
DONATIONS
Evans, Daniel, Moore, Evans, Biggs and Decker Inventus The Law Office of David R. Casey Tarrant County Bar Foundation Board of Directors GENEROUS IN-KIND DONATIONS Dickies Arena and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Falcon Document Solutions Steve Gordon and Associates Noteboom Law Firm Texas Rangers SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 15
Save the Date for TCBA’s Membership Events Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 10, 2019 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
50 Year Attorney Luncheon Tuesday, February 11, 2020 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Women in the Law Luncheon Tuesday, February 25, 2020 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Volunteers Needed for High School Mock Trial Mock Trial Competition Date (Tentative) Saturday, January 11, 2020 www.texashighschoolmocktrial.com
T
housands of high school students from across the state participate each year in this highly motivating, energetic, and challenging academic competition! The program provides a great way for students to gain an “insider’s view” of our judicial system, plus, they gain confidence speaking in front of others and have a lot of fun at the same time. The competition is open to all high school students—public, private and home school. Former participants say that the benefits of preparation and participation in the mock trial program are well worth the time and effort spent. Through a grant from the Tarrant County Bar Foundation, the Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court hosts the regional high school mock trial for schools in Region 11 of the Texas Education Agency’s districts. On January 11, 2020, high school teams will compete at the mock trial competition at the Family Court Building. Attorney volunteers are needed to serve as judges of the mock trial competition for semi-finals on Saturday, January 11, and the final round on Friday, January 17. General volunteers are also needed to help work behind the scenes at the competition. g
HOW YOU CAN HELP Coach a Team • Help a team prepare for competition • Schools located in the Tarrant County area • No litigation experience required • Work around your schedule!
Score a Competition • Earn self-study CLE & network with attorneys • No litigation experience required • Only 3 hour time commitment • It takes over 50 attorneys to score a day of competition. We need you!
To volunteer or for more information, contact: elizabeth@tarrantbar.org.
Breakfast with the Tarrant County Judiciary ALL TCBA MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND!
Thursday, October 10, 2019 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. | TCBA Offices
RSVP
with Kimmie Hack at kimmie@tarrantbar.org.
TCBA members can meet the Tarrant County Judiciary at this informal networking event. Judiciary introductions will take place at approximately 8:15 a.m. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 17
Snippets
Co-Editor Judge Carey Walker, County Criminal Court No. 2
Civil and Criminal
by Judge Bob McCoy g County Criminal Court No. 3
ASK JUDGE BOB
Judge Bob, what is a regulatory taking? “A regulatory taking arises when the government imposes restrictions ‘unreasonably interfer[ing] with landowners’ rights to use and enjoy their property.” Transformative Learning Sys. v. Tex. Education Agency, 572 S.W.3d 281, 292 (Tex. App.—Austin 2018).
MOSES’ AND NOAH’S MONTHLY PARAPROSDAKIAN (a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently humorous) Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won’t expect it back.
DANES’ QUOTE OF THE MONTH Moses
You have seen that look. The way a young painter looks at a Rembrandt or Titian. The way Liz Taylor looks at Richard Burton. The way Zsa Zsa looks at mink. That’s how a poodle looks at its master. —Jacqueline Susann
Noah
CRIMINAL ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. Search & Seizure
The use of a trained canine to detect the presence or absence of illicit narcotics does not constitute a “search” for Fourth Amendment purposes. This is because drug dogs detect only illegal substances, and citizens lack any reasonable expectation of privacy in possessing illegal substances. McClintock v. State, 541 S.W.3d 63 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017).
2. Impartial Jury
When a juror withholds material information during voir dire that the defense, using due diligence, could not uncover, the parties are denied the opportunity to exercise their challenges, which hinders their selection of an impartial jury. But a violation, by itself, is insufficient for reversal. The defendant must also have been harmed by that constitutional violation. State v. Gutierrez, 541 S.W.3d 91 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017).
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3. Speedy Trial
Defendant’s right to a speedy trial was not violated despite approximate 28-year delay between indictment and trial, where defendant did not assert his right to a speedy trial for more than 27 years while avoiding arrest, and then for seven months after his arrest; and defendant knew that he was indicted and took special precautions not to be found by law enforcement, including changing his name and social security number. Garcia v. State, 541 S.W.3d 222 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2017).
4. Retrograde Extrapolation
Retrograde extrapolation is the process of computing a person’s blood-alcohol level at the time of driving based on the alcohol level found in the person’s blood, drawn some time later. Retrograde-extrapolation testimony can be reliable if certain factors are known. A paramount consideration is the expert’s ability to apply the science and explain it with clarity. The expert must demonstrate some understanding of the difficulties associated with a retrograde extrapolation and must recognize the subtleties of the science and the risks inherent in any retrograde extrapolation. The expert also must be apply to apply the science clearly and consistently. Corley v. State, 541 S.W.3d 265 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2017).
5. Affirmative Defenses
A trial court is required to charge the jury on any defensive issue raised by the evidence, “regardless of its substantive character.” An accused is entitled to an affirmative defensive instruction on every issue raised by the evidence regardless of whether it is strong, weak, unimpeached, or contradicted, and even when the trial court is of the opinion that the testimony is not credible. It is within the jury’s purview to decide whether to accept or reject a properly raised defensive theory. McFadden v. State, 541 S.W.3d 277 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2018).
6. Jury Argument
The law provides for, and presumes, a fair trial, free from improper argument by the State. Proper jury argument is generally limited to four areas: (1) summation of the evidence presented at trial; (2) reasonable deductions and inferences from the evidence; (3) responses to opposing counsel’s argument; and (4) appropriate pleas for law enforcement. Gonzalez v. State, 541 S.W.3d 306 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2017).
7. Trial Court’s Duty
“The trial judge has no duty to exclude,” for instance hearsay evidence absent a partisan objection “and would probably fall into error if he did.” Neither does the trial judge have an “independent duty to shuffle the venire panel or to excuse a veniremember” subjected to peremptory challenge. Indeed, “the trial judge as institutional representative has no duty to enforce” any forfeitable right “unless requested to do so.” Proenza v. State, 541 S.W.3d 786 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017).
CIVIL ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. Fraud by Nondisclosure
To establish fraud by nondisclosure, the plaintiff must show: (1) the defendant deliberately failed to disclose material facts; (2) the defendant had a duty to disclose such facts to the plaintiff; (3) the plaintiff was ignorant of the facts and did not have an equal opportunity to discover them; (4) the defendant intended the plaintiff to act or refrain from acting based on the nondisclosure; and (5) the plaintiff relied on the nondisclosure, which resulted in injury. Bombardier Aerospace v. SPEP Aircraft, 572 S.W.3d 213, 219 (Tex. 2019).
2. “As Is” Agreement
“A valid ‘as is’ agreement . . . prevents a buyer from holding a seller liable if the thing sold turns out to be worth less than the price paid,” and therefore the buyer holds all the risk as to the quality of the property and any loss. . . . And an “as is” clause can be held invalid for fraud by nondisclosure. Bombardier Aerospace v. SPEP Aircraft., 572 S.W.3d 213, 232 (Tex. 2019).
Terrell v. Pampa ISD, 572 S.W.3d 294, 302 (Tex. App.— Amarillo 2019).
6. Holdover Rule
Under the common law holdover rule, a landlord may elect to treat a tenant holding over as either a trespasser—that is, a tenant at sufferance—or as a tenant holding under the terms of the original lease—that is , a tenant at will. Thus, an implied agreement to create a new lease using the terms of the prior lease may arise if both parties engage in conduct that manifests such intent. A tenant at sufferance is a holdover tenant who wrongfully remains in possession of the property after its right to possess the property has expired and who lacks superior title to the property. Tuttle v. Builes, 572 S.W.3d 344, 354 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2019).
LEGAL QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Arson, after all, is an artificial crime. . . . A large number of houses deserve to be burnt. —H.G. Wells
OLD NEWS
The Stock Show Gets Its First Rodeo Finals were held in the world’s first indoor rodeo March 16, 1918, staged by Fort Worth cattle and horse dealers in the Northside Coliseum during the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show. More than 20,000 spectators turned out to watch cowboys compete for the $3,000 purse in the sixday event. g
Space For Lease
3. Constitutional Amendments
A nation may be said to consist of its territory, its people, and its laws. The territory is the only part which is of certain durability. Kilgore ISD v. Axberg, 572 S.W.3d 244, 259 (Tex. App.— Texarkana 2019).
4. Summary Judgment
As a general rule, “[g]ranting a summary judgment on a claim not addressed in the summary judgment motion . . . is . . . reversible error.” However, in those instances in which either (1) the omitted claim is precluded as a matter of law by other grounds raised in the motion or (2) the omitted claim is derivative of the addressed claim and the movant showed itself entitled to summary judgment on the addressed claim, the error of the trial court is harmless. We have recognized that a summary judgment on an omitted claim should be affirmed when reversal “would be meaningless because the omitted cause of action is precluded as a matter of law.” Kilgore ISD v. Axberg, 572 S.W.3d 244, 263 (Tex. App.— Texarkana 2019).
5. Witness’s Testimony
A witness’s inability to remember particular information goes to the weight to be afforded the witness’s testimony and does not constitute a bar to that testimony.
in the historic
Tindall Square Office Complex in Downtown Fort Worth
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Contact Debara Herring ■ 682.316.2072 dherring@rochester-group.com 500 East 4th Street, Suite 175 ■ Fort Worth, Texas 76102
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 19
Other Associations’ News & Information Arlington Bar Association
Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. President, Jonathan Heeps. For location & information, email arlingtonbarassociation@ yahoo.com or call 682.738.6415.
Arlington Young Lawyers Association
For meetings and information, contact President Jane Fowler at 817.560.1878 or jane@janefowlerlaw.com.
Black Women Lawyers Association
For meetings and information, contact Judge Maryellen Hicks, President, at 817.451.7100 or hicks8776@sbcglobal.net.
Dee J. Kelly Law Library Welcomes Bar Members!
For the latest Texas A&M University School of Law library hours and information, please visit http://law.tamu.edu or call 817.212.3800.
Fort Worth Chapter Association of Legal Administrators
Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the City Club, 301 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, 76102. For more information, contact Lisa Boyd at 817.339.2478 or LBoyd@BELaw.com.
Fort Worth Paralegal Association
General Membership Meetings are held at noon every 4th Thursday of the month at Joe T. Garcia’s, 2201 N. Commerce. FWPA Board of Directors meets at noon every 1st Tuesday of the month at the Bar Center. For more information, go to www.fwpa.org.
L. Clifford Davis Legal Association
(f/k/a/ Tarrant County Black Bar Association) holds its meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm. For more information, contact President Bethel T. Zehaie at 817.303.2161.
MABA (Mexican American Bar Association)
Meets on the last Thursday of each month with location to be announced. For more information, contact President Eloy Sepulveda at 817.332.1285.
Northeast Tarrant County Bar Association (NETCBA)
R A B H C N BE CE N E R Save the Date E F CON XXVII
Meets for CLE luncheons on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at La Hacienda Restaurant, Hwy. 121. Contact President Cynthia Williams at 817.318.0523 or cynthia@cynthiawilliamslaw.com.
Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCCDLA)
Meets every 2nd Thursday at Joe T. Garcia’s, 2201 N. Commerce. For more information, contact President Rose Anna Salinas at 817.624.9733 or roseannasalinas@aol.com.
Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association
Meets at noon on the 4th Tuesday of each month, with location to be announced. For more information, contact president Dana Manry of KoonsFuller PC at 817.481.2710 or dana@koonsfuller.com.
Tarrant County Probate Bar Association
Meets on the 1st Thursday of each month at the Petroleum Clubmembers free, guests $30. For more information, contact Jeffrey N. Myers at 817.877.1088 or jmyers@bwwlaw.com.
Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association
Meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Joe T. Garcia’s. For more information, contact Mike Freden at 817.726.1636.
April 17 - April 19, 2020 Horsehoe Bay Resort 20 www.tarrantbar.org
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Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association
The 2019–2020 TCYLA year began September 1, 2019. If you need an application or meeting information, call 817.338.4092, email kimmie@tarrantbar.org, or go to the website at tcyla.org.
Texas Association of Defense Counsel
This civil defense organization offers local lunches and happy hours, as well as CLEs geared toward the defense practice. Contact Brittani Rollen of McDonald Sanders at 817-336-8651 or visit www.tadc.org.
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans
Tarrant County Chapter
TLTV Success Story
A
ttorney Katherine Allen is a volunteer for Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans, a program that matches pro bono attorneys with veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in need of legal assistance. Any veteran or spouse of a deceased veteran can make an appointment or walk-in to the TLTV clinic that occurs nearly every 3rd Friday of the month, but only those that meet the income eligibility requirements can be considered for placement with one of the pro bono attorneys that practice in the area of their legal matter. In early 2018, Ms. Allen agreed to provide pro bono family law representation to a spouse of a deceased veteran needing assistance with an adoption and guardianship. This individual had been caring for her four grandchildren for a few years when she visited a TLTV clinic in November 2017. Her late husband served in the United States Army. She knew she did not have the financial ability or the resources to figure out the difficult family law process ahead of her. She
made an appointment for the TLTV clinic, where she spoke with an experienced family lawyer who gave her preliminary legal advice. Shortly after the clinic, Ms. Allen was contacted by the TLTV placement committee and made aware of the individual’s case. Ms. Allen met with the individual and agreed to represent her at no cost to the spouse of the deceased veteran. Over the next year, Ms. Allen successfully helped her client and she is now the official adoptive mother of her grandchildren. Ms. Allen’s client expressed multiple times how thankful she was for TLTV. The TLTV clinic led to the connection with Ms. Allen, and this changed her family and her children’s lives forever. TLTV is always in need of attorneys willing to take cases and willing to offer legal advice at the clinics. Please contact kayla@tarrantbar.org if you are interested in volunteering at one of our clinics or taking a pro bono case. g
Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services TVAS Needs Volunteers Free CLE for TVAS Volunteers for an & TCBA Members Uncontested Divorce Clinic Uncontested Divorce CLE Thursday, October 17 5:30 p.m., TCBA Bar Center
Thursday, October 3 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., TCBA Bar Center
followed by a social hour with volunteers, mentors, and local judiciary. If you are interested in volunteering or attending the free CLE, contact Kayla Dailey at 817.338.4092 or kayla@tarrantbar.org. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 21
Tarrant County Bar Association 2019-2020 Committees
T
he Tarrant County Bar Association has several committees that hold a variety of events throughout the year. If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact the committee chair of your choice, or contact Sherry Jones at 817.338.4092 or sherry@tarrantbar.org for more information.
Bench Bar Conference
Lawyer Referral & Information Service
CLE Seminars
Membership
Editorial/Bar Bulletin Editors
Transition to Practice/Mentor Program
50-Year Lawyers
Law & Civics
Diversity Program
Court Staff Appreciation/CC Seminar
Steve Laird, Law Office of Steven C. Laird, P.C. 817.531.3000 – laird@texlawyers.com Mary Barkley, Cantey Hanger LLP 817.877.2889 – mbarkley@canteyhanger.com
John Murphy, Texas A&M University School of Law 817.212.3936 – john.murphy@law.tamu.edu
Rick Sorenson, McDonald Sanders Law Firm 817.884.1450 – rsorenson@mcdonaldlaw.com
Veronica Garza, The Law Offices of Veronica Garza, PLLC 817.642.5848 - veronica@veronicagarzalaw.com
Michael Martinez, Martinez Hsu, P.C. 682.224.7810 – msmartinez@mhlegalgroup.com
Julie Camacho, Camacho Law Firm, PLLC 817.731.2500 – juliekcamacho@gmail.com
Brent Doré, Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. 817.870.8700 – bdore@hfblaw.com
Judge RH Wallace, 96th District Court 817.884.1451 – rhwallace@tarrantcounty.com
Leslie Barrows, The Barrows Firm, P.C. 817.481.1583 – lbarrows@barrowsfirm.com
Fee Arbitration
Docket Call Socials
Election
Holiday Party
Judicial Evaluations & Polls
Law Day Awards Dinner
John Lively, Sr., Lively & Associates, PLLC 817.338.1030 – john.lively@LivelyLLP.com
Jerry Bullard, Adams Lynch & Loftin P.C. 817.552.7742 – j.bullard@sbcglobal.net
Thomas Michel, Griffith, Jay, & Michel, LLP 817.926.2500 – thomasm@lawgjm.com
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Dan Steppick, Lacy, Malone, Steppick, Ryder & Menefee, PLLC 817.349.8409 – dan@lacymalone.com
Cynthia Gustafson, Tarrant County CDA's Office 817.884.1623 – clgustafson@tarrantcountytx.gov
Joe Cleveland, Brackett & Ellis, P.C. 817.339.2454 – jcleveland@belaw.com
Law Day Professionalism Award
Elder Law
Law Day Silver Gavel Award
LegalLine
Wellness Connections
National Adoption Day
Women in the Law
People’s Law School
Blood Drive
Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services
Justice Dana Womack, Second Court of Appeals 817.884.1900 – danawomack@icloud.com
Grant Blaies, Blaies & Hightower, L.L.P. 817.334.0800 – grantblaies@bhilaw.com
Angela Robinson 817.731.0741 – angela@robinsonattorney.com
Whitney Beckworth, Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP 817.878.3538 – whitney.beckworth@kellyhart.com
David Garza, Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP 817.878.9374 – david.garza@kellyhart.com
Food Drive
Lynn Rodriguez, Texas A&M University School of Law, Family and Veterans Advocacy Clinic 817.212.4123 – lfrodriguez@law.tamu.edu
Lori Varnell, Tarrant County CDA's Office 817.884.1400 – llvarnell@tarrantcountytx.gov
Nick Bettinger, McDonald Sanders Law Firm 817.336.8651 – nickb@mcdonaldlaw.com
Dawn King, Decker Poole, PLLC 817.348.9060 – rdawn@deckerpoole.com
Chris Troutt, City Attorney's Office-City of Fort Worth 817.392.7609 – christopher.troutt@fortworthtexas.gov
Julie Sherman/Josh Ross, Cantey Hanger LLP 817.878.6005 – jsherman@canteyhanger.com 817.877.2800 – jross@canteyhanger.com
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans
Sarah Seltzer, Seltzer & Dally, PLLC 817.887.9206 – sarah@yourtexasfamilylawyer.com
Please Remember 2019-2020 membership dues must be paid no later than October 1, 2019. Contact Membership Director Kimmie Hack for more information at 817.338.4092 or kimmie@tarrantbar.org.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 23
THE TARRANT COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
ETHICS
Brown Bag Seminar Series
September 27, 2019 Join us for CLE credit at the Tarrant County Bar Association 1315 Calhoun Street, Fort Worth 76102 Moderator: Mary Barkley, Cantey Hanger LLP
Noon
Check In
12:30 pm
Recovering Attorney’s Fees Roland Johnson, Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C.
1:15 pm
Advertising Rules Chuck Noteboom, Noteboom - The Law Firm
2:00 pm
Break
2:15 pm
What the Juries are Saying About Your Trial Presentation Judge Kimberly Fitzpatrick, 342nd District Court
2:45 pm
Ethics and the Lawyer's Creed Judge Jesse Nevarez, 231st District Court Judge Jerry Hennigan, 324th District Court
3:15
Attorney Wellness/Mindfulness Mary Colchin Johndroe, Cantey Hanger LLP
3:45 pm
Adjourn
3 hours of Ethics CLE credit requested
(This program will be recorded for showing throughout the year) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brown Bag Registration: September 27, 2019 _____ $70 TCBA Member
_____ $95 non-TCBA Member
_____ Brown Bag Season Pass Holder
_____ $35 TCBA Member Staff
_____ $12 for a boxed lunch
Add $5 if registering after September 25 Please complete this form and return to the TCBA office at 1315 Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 with a check payable to TCBA or with credit card information. If you have questions, please call Sherry Jones at 817-338-4092 (Fax: 817-335-9238). Name: ______________________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________ Firm: _________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________ Billing Zip: _____________ Method of Payment: _____ Check
_______ Check Number
______ MC
_________ Visa
________ Am Ex
Credit Card Number ___________________________________________________ Expiration _______________________ Name on Card ________________________________________________________ Security Code ____________________
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Call Me: O: 817.438.2600 C: 817.925.2272
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
Follow us on social media Tarrant County Bar Association - Fort Worth @tarrantbar @tarrantcountybar
The 2019–2020 TCBA Bar Year has begun! The Tarrant County Bar Association is comprised of over 2600 members and offers the best way to connect with the legal community in Tarrant County.
Membership benefits include: • • • • • •
Free and reduced cost CLE events offered through the TCBA's 18 substantive law sections, Brown Bag CLE pass, and other CLE events. In addition, TCBA offers many of its CLE events online at a discounted rate for its members. Exclusive networking events, including Docket Calls, Breakfast with the Judiciary, Women in the Law Luncheon, and the annual Bench Bar Conference. Professional development and law practice management programs, including free Transition to Practice seminars, technology classes, and mentorship opportunities. Access to discounts and free professional services, including free document shredding, a discount for Lawyer Referral & Information Services (LRIS) membership, and discounts on meeting space rentals at the TCBA. An online subscription to the Bar Bulletin, the TCBA’s bi-monthly magazine, and weekly emails detailing news and events in the Tarrant County legal community. Opportunities for community service at annual events like National Adoption Day, People's Law School, and the Blood Drive. The TCBA also provides pro bono volunteer opportunities at legal clinics through Volunteer Attorney Services (TVAS) and Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans- Tarrant County Chapter (TLTV).
Visit the website to learn more about all the great things the TCBA is doing for its members and the community. www.tarrantbar.org
We thank you for your continued support of our organization. If you have not renewed for the 2019–2020 bar year, please contact Kimmie Hack at the bar office at 817.338.4092 or by email at kimmie@tarrantbar.org.
Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Red Mass September 26, 2019 All attorneys, judges, and public officials are cordially invited to attend the Fort Worth Red Mass on Thursday, September 26, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. at Saint Patrick Cathedral in downtown Fort Worth. A reception and lecture will immediately follow Mass. The guest speaker will be Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J., who will speak on “Appealing to Conscience as a First and Last Resort.” The Red Mass is an ancient tradition of the Church and Bar and is offered to invoke divine guidance and strength through the coming judicial term. There is no cost to attend the Mass or the reception, but we gratefully accept donations to offset expenses. To RSVP, learn more about the Red Mass, or make a donation, please visit www.FortWorthRedMass.org, email rsvp@fortworthredmass.org, or call 817.382.7465.
Save the Date
Transition to Practice Committee Presents: “Law Practice Management: Tips & Tricks for Success” Friday, October 25, 2019 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. TCBA Office
4 Hours CLE with 2.5 Hours Ethics
FREE to TCBA Members
LegalLine
T
hank you to the following attorneys and law students for volunteering their time with LegalLine on July 25.
Attorneys: Norma Bazán, Nick Bettinger, Julie Camacho, Jessica Robinson, Lynn Rodriguez, Karon Rowden Law Students: Chakia Guevara, and Shane Landers
LegalLine is conducted on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. To volunteer, please contact carolina at carolina@tarrantbar.org. g
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 27
RE/MAX Associates of Arlington
4105 S. Bowen Rd. Arlington, Texas 76016 Cell 214.728.7286 | Office 817.276.5169 danasearstexasrealestate.com | danasears@remax.net As your RE/MAX professional REALTOR速, my focus is client service, satisfaction, and representation for your real estate needs. I have many years of experience within the home industry that speaks volumes when negotiating and walking my clients through each step from start to finish. My fiduciary duties are numerous; however, I will perform all of the intermediary functions between the divorcing homeowners that directly involve the marital residential property(s). Often divorce is not an amicable arrangement; the full picture most likely is forgotten when the parties are battling to be the right fighter. My mission and focus for both parties are to be a neutral representative, always safe-keeping their best interests above all others. Ultimately, our shared goals are educating the parties the importance of Protecting Their Credit Score and Protecting Their Ability for Future Home Ownership. I will personally walk the House Spouse through each step to ensure that we stay on track to either refinance or list the property(s), should that decision be in the best interests of all parties. My service is NOT about how many listings I can obtain. First and foremost, it is about maintaining current homeownership and future homeownership for both parties and their family. I have partnered with a group of local lenders; they have their professional team in place to include their in-house underwriters. The team will efficiently work through the pre-approval process to determine if the House Spouse is eligible to refinance a new VA, Conventional, or FHA home loan for the subject property in addition to other qualifying programs that may be available. My fiduciary duty is then to determine market value before the lender appraisal and also work through the negotiated repair amendments, to include lender and insurance required repairs between the House Spouse and the Out Spouse. Should the property(s) be listed, I will represent the property owner(s), perform only my fiduciary duties as a Texas licensed real estate agent, prepare all TREC documents, to include marketing the subject property. I will ensure that we are at the closing table and will meet all deadlines to the absolute best of my abilities. Accomplishments and Memberships } Texas Licensed REALTOR速 } Associate Member Tarrant County Bar Association } Member of the Arlington Board of REALTORS速 } Member of the National Association of REALTORS速 } RCS-D Real Estate Collaboration Specialist - Divorce Areas of specialization } House Spouse / Out Spouse } Sellers } Buyers } New Construction } Relocation The most excellent compliment you can give to me is a referral to your colleagues, business associates, and friends. *some restrictions apply, each office is independently owned and operated
CLE
Corner
Sherry Jones Associate Executive Director
T
his bar year we will be making a few changes in the way we provide CLE. We will continue holding seven Brown Bag Seminars, outlined below, and we will also offer the Juvenile Law and Child Welfare Seminars. The Juvenile Law Seminar is scheduled for November 8 and we are working to schedule the Child Welfare Seminar. If you have CLE topics that you would like to learn about, please contact the bar office. Keep reading the Bulletins and the Upcoming Events emails to keep up with what’s going on in the world of CLE with the TCBA. g
Make CLE Easier this Year! Buy a TCBA Brown Bag Pass
21 Hours of CLE on the Following Topics for $135
Ethics
September 27, 2019
Probate/Elder Law – Including Wills, Litigation, & Advanced Planning October 11, 2019
Justice and Municipal Court – including Landlord/Tenant & Debt Defense November 15, 2019
Appellate Law
January 24, 2020 Business Organizations & Transactional Law Topics February 21, 2020 Real Estate Law – Including Construction and Appraisal Topics March 27, 2020 Immigration, Bankruptcy, and Criminal Law May 8, 2020 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 29
Celebrate National Pro Bono Week (October 20-26)
Save the Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2019 Pro Bono Lunch and Learn
Featuring Speaker: LaTasha Jackson-McDougle of Cheryl’s Voice
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Schedule a demo today
877-388-0605 or visit lawpay.com/tcba
30 www.tarrantbar.org
▪ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
Proud Member Benefit Provider
In
Memoriam
William Durrah (Bill) Ratliff, III 1949–2019
W
illiam Durrah Ratliff, III, better known as Bill to most, also known as Billy to his family and many lifelong friends, passed on to be with his Lord and Savior on July 7, 2019, with family by his side after a brave battle with cancer. Bill would have turned 70 years of age on August 25, 2019. Born August 25th, 1949, and raised in Fort Worth, Bill was a 5th generation Texan and the oldest of six children to Barbara Warner and William D. Ratliff Jr. During his childhood, Bill was a high-achieving competitive swimmer and then a stand-out football player at Arlington Heights High School. Playing center on the offensive line, (just as his father did), and wearing jersey #50, he started a lineage that was continued with his brothers and eventually his son Bill IV. After graduating in 1967, Bill headed to Austin and the University of Texas where he graduated in 1971 with a BBA in Accounting, followed by a J.D. from UT Law School In 1974. In 1975, Bill graduated top of his class from Southern Methodist University Law School with a L.L.M. in Taxation & Probate. Upon graduating from SMU, Bill moved to Washington, D.C. where he clerked for the U.S. Tax Court for two years. He moved back to Fort Worth in 1977 and joined the law firm of Cantey & Hanger. In 1984, Bill left C&H to open the Fort Worth office of Haynes & Boone. In March of this year, he joined the law firm of Decker Jones. Bill was Board-Certified in commercial real estate law, tax law, and estate planning and probate law. He was named Super Lawyer multiple times, and through the recognition of his peers, was awarded with numerous other legal accolades. His successes and achievements in the legal industry are much too long to list. Bill was highly devoted to all of his clients and oftentimes formed very close friendships with them. One close longtime family friend (and client) stated that Bill always cared more about taking care of his clients than he did for himself. Bill was truly devoted to his family and friends. He was a fabulous son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He loved the outdoors, spending countless hours on the family ranch in Cleburne watering his trees, improving the hay pastures and working cattle with his family. Watching his granddaughter Brooke scamper around the ranch property brought particular joy to him these past six years. Times spent with Big Bill at the ranch will always be cherished by his wife, his mother, his kids, their spouses, his siblings, nieces & nephews, and numerous friends and other family. Bill was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and remained an active alumnus; another lineage that was continued by his three brothers as well as his son Bill IV. He
was also a member of The Steeplechase Club, River Crest Country Club, and The Fort Worth Club. Bill was an active member of the Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show, as well as the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate, serving as Syndicate Chairman in 1996 & 1997. He was a long-standing and active member of the Calf Scramble Committee, Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. His favorite time of the year was the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo season. One of his greatest passions was raising charitable funds for various agricultural scholarships, never seeking any recognition. His involvement in the Fort Worth Stock Show and FWSS Syndicate was truly an honor to Bill and he always took tremendous pride in each of his roles and activities over nearly four decades. Bill truly considered all of his great friends to be like family– his Stock Show Family. Countless people have been the beneficiary of Bill’s generosity. He frequently “forgot” to bill his friends for the legal advice he offered them. His kindness and loyalty to his many friends will never be forgotten. Nor will his infectious sense of humor and wit. The Ratliff Family would like to extend sincere and special thanks to all of the amazing doctors, PA’s nurses and other caregivers at the Moncrief Cancer Center and UT Southwestern Medical System, in particular, the nurses, techs, therapists and staff on 10th Floor North at William Clements Hospital for truly amazing passion, empathy and support during a long 21-day stay. In addition special thanks also goes to the VITAS Healthcare and Stayton nurses and caregivers that were so caring and compassionate with Bill and the entire Ratliff Family throughout the past several weeks. The outpouring of support and love from these groups above as well as from countless friends and family is immeasurable and the entire Ratliff Family cannot thank y’all enough! Bill is preceded in death by his father, Bill Jr., brother, Bobby, brother-in-law, Bill Dremel, niece, Chelsea Dremel, and brother-in-law, Eddie Deems. Survivors: His mother Barbara; wife, Julie; son, Bill IV and wife, Rachael; daughter, Emily Ratliff Hughes, her husband, Randy, and their daughter, Brooke; and siblings, Bryan, Louise Deems, Brent (Susie) and Jeanne Dremel; sister-in-law, Patti Ratliff; brother-in-law, Zac Martin (Melanie); along with nephews, Sam (Heather), Robert (Natalie), John (Hayley), Trey Dremel; nieces, Ann Bonner (Johnny), Shelly Rogers (Zach), Rachel Huston (Peter), Wendy Dremel and Hayley Martin; as well as numerous greatnephews & nieces, cousins and countless dear friends. Published in Star-Telegram from July 11 to July 13, 2019
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 31
In James Michael Liles 1940–2019
J
ames Michael Liles, 79, of Fort Worth passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2019. Michael was born Jan. 22, 1940, in Tyler, Texas to the late Joe B. and Bernyce O. Hatchett Liles of Tyler, Texas. He was the youngest of four children. Michael earned a B.B.A degree from Baylor University in 1961 and a Juris Doctorate from Baylor Law School in 1963. With a distinguished law career spanning 55 years, Michael was a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, College of The State Bar of Texas, and the Texas Association of Defense Counsel. In 2010 he was recognized for achieving the highest possible rating in legal ability and ethical standards for 39 consecutive years by the Martindale-Hubbell AV+ Bar and Judiciary Peer Review. The State Bar of Texas paid tribute to Michael in 2013 for his 50 years of membership during the State Bar Annual Meeting. Retiring in early 2019, he was a member of Baylor Letterman's Association, Phi Alpha Delta, and a Life Member of Baylor University Alumni Association. An avid sportsman in his youth, he played baseball, basketball and football, and was on the Baylor University
Memoriam
basketball team. As an adult, he shared his passion for sports through volunteer coaching little league teams. Michael enjoyed bridge and duplicate bridge and was awarded Life Master American Contract Bridge League in 2003. He was a member of Colonial Country Club since 1969, where he enjoyed golf in his earlier years, and playing gin with close friends. Two of his greatest joys in life were the companionship of his beloved dog, Bailey, and spending time with his only grandchild, Bryse. Michael will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues. Survivors: Wife of 38 years, Rebecca Garrett Liles; five children: Todd M. Liles of Fort Worth, Texas, Laura A. Liles of Holt, Michigan, Alana Liles Arguello and husband, Jose of Big Fork, Montana and Jason B. Liles of Los Angeles, California and Michelle Liles Alexander and husband, Travis; his only grandson, Bryse D. Alexander of Plano, Texas; sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Martin Fruitman of Toronto, Canada; brothers, Charles D. Liles of San Antonio, Texas, and Joe E. Liles and wife, Kay of Kenosha, Wisconsin.; two nieces; three nephews; and a host of other family and friends. g Published in Star-Telegram from August 2 to August 4, 2019
Lawyer Referral & Information Service
J
oin the Lawyer Referral Service and reap the benefits of its nearly 12,000 calls each year:
WHAT IS IT? •
An American Bar Association approved lawyer referral service [one of four in the State of Texas]
•
A state-certified lawyer referral service as required by the State of Texas under Chapter 952, Occupations Code. [the only state-certified referral service in Tarrant County]
•
A non-profit community service provided by the Tarrant County Bar Association.
32 www.tarrantbar.org
▪ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
WHO CAN JOIN?
News
Any attorney in the Tarrant County or surrounding area who is admitted to practice in the State of Texas, in good standing with the State Bar of Texas, and who agrees to abide by the Rules of Membership of the Tarrant County Bar Association Lawyer Referral & Information Service. For certain areas of law, there are additional requirements.
HOW TO SIGN UP?
Contact the Lawyer Referral Service Director, Carolina Ibarra at 817.338.4092 or e-mail lris@tarrantbar.org for an application packet: (1) complete application forms; (2) pay annual registration fee of $150, $175 or $200, depending upon years of practice; and (3) furnish proof of professional liability coverage. g
It’s All Happening Around the Bar Docket Call Social at Argent Trust
July Membership Luncheon
TAMU Law Orientation
Past Presidents’ Luncheon
Section/Committee Luncheon
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
▪ TCBA BULLETIN 33
Friday, November 15, 2019 8:45 a.m. Tarrant County Family Law Center
I
t’s that time of year again! On National Adoption Day, we will celebrate and help place children from the foster care system with new forever families. If you are interested in volunteering at the event, please visit www.tarrantcountynad.com to sign up! Please donate stuffed animals in the bins located at the Tarrant County Bar office, the Family Law Center’s lawyer’s lounge, and the lobbies of all of the courthouses. Families will be supplied with several items to commemorate the day including their first family photo in a picture frame and a personalized gift for the children with their new adoptive name. Each bag is projected to cost around $40 dollars depending on how many children there are this year. We are in desperate need of sponsors to help us! To sponsor, please email dawn@deckerpoole.com. g
Bar Bulletin ▪ September/October 2019 PRESORTED STANDARD Tarrant County Bar Association U. S. POSTAGE PAID 1315 Calhoun Street FORT WORTH, TX Fort Worth, TX 76102-6504 PERMIT 1807 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
If any of your contact information is incorrect, please submit the corrected information to the TCBA office at 817.338.4092, fax to 817.335.9238 or email to tcba@tarrantbar.org.
Classified Advertising NOTICE Classified Ads no longer appear in the Bulletin. They can be found on our website at www.tarrantbar.org.
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