Unlike many states, Texas has separate high courts for civil and criminal cases. Criminal practitioners follow the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals closely because its decisions impact criminal law in every corner of the state. As a former appellate prosecutor, Judge David Newell brings a unique perspective to that Court. Judge Newell joins Jody Sanders
Transitioning from private practice to the bench is an adjustment even in the best of times. But First Court of Appeals Justice April Farris made the switch in the middle of a pandemic when court operations and proceedings were fully remote. In this week’s episode, Justice Farris joins Todd Smith and Jody Sanders to talk
Traditionally, the path to appellate practice often came through a judicial clerkship. But, in recent years, lawyers have worked to forge alternative routes. Mia Lorick, a partner at Locke Lord in Houston, is one of those lawyers. With a background in fine arts, Mia paved her own way into both trial and appellate practice
While this podcast focuses primarily on civil appeals, criminal appellate practice takes up a significant portion of appellate court dockets. In this episode, Todd Smith and Jody Sanders explore criminal appellate work with Naomi Howard, a Houston criminal defense attorney with Rusty Hardin & Associates. Passionate about criminal defense since her law school
Judges, particularly appellate judges, don’t get much public interaction in their jobs. So, judges are learning to use social media to connect with and educate the public about their roles. Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Dillard has helped blaze that trail, adopting the mantra that, “If you’re a judge and you’re not on social
As courts tentatively start to reopen in person, the extent to which remote proceedings will remain is uncertain. But when COVID-19 shuttered courthouses everywhere, Travis County, Texas took the lead in providing courthouse access virtually. This episode features Judge Karin Crump, of Travis County’s 250th District Court, and covers her leadership and experience
The mixing of politics and judicial selection has been a part of Texas history from the beginning. Political parties continue to influence judicial appointments and elections, and money is always a significant factor. In recent years, though, many have sought to reform the system. In this week’s episode, former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom
The law in general and appellate practice, in particular, suffer from a lack of diversity. The traditional barriers to both law and appellate practice have left many students of color and first-generation law students lacking opportunities and access to the profession. Luckily, organizations like The Appellate Project recognize this problem and seek to change it. Todd Smith and
In recent years, the amount of time lawyers spend in court and talking to judges has shrunk. As a result, an attorney’s credibility with judges has become increasingly important. Likewise, presenting clear, concise briefing and arguments helpful to judges and their staff has become critical. Rachel Stinson of Wright Close & Barger in Houston has
Texas’s Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney (SPA) may be one of the most important state agencies you didn’t know. The SPA is an independent agency that represents the State of Texas before the state’s highest criminal court, the Court of Criminal Appeals. While the Texas Solicitor General appears in both state and federal courts