Appellate law is not exempt from the global technological pivot we are experiencing in these strange times. Lawyers all over the nation are adopting technology in a way that they haven’t been forced to up until now. Raffi Melkonian of Wright Close & Barger is the contemporary embodiment of the “lawyer of the future” in
Good appellate lawyers get real with their clients about their chances of success on appeal. Each case is different, and in practice, all appellate lawyers can really do is estimate. But what if their estimates are grounded on carefully collected and analyzed empirical data? Kent Rutter and the team at Haynes and Boone, LLP curate
While women still hold the minority of positions in law firms and still experience bias and discrimination in a world dominated by older, white men, voices of resistance are gradually on the rise, especially on social media. The handle #LadyLawyerDiaries is a perfect example of how this happens on Twitter, one of the biggest and
In this brave new world, we often push our leveraging of digital technology to the limits. The latest developments in hardware and software allow lawyers and judges to work more efficiently, providing quick access to documents and hyper-functional workflow tools. Jeff Richardson, a New Orleans appellate attorney and the creator of the iPhone J.D.
A judge’s life doesn’t necessarily have to revolve around the law 24/7. There are many pursuits worth going after if you’re passionate about them and willing to put in the work. Todd Smith and Jody Sanders talk with Justice Ken Wise of the Fourteenth Court of Appeals. Justice Wise shares his journey, which has included
Whatever field you’re practicing in, the importance of keeping tabs on your mental health can’t be overstated. Judges often encounter litigants on their worst days, and they often make heavy decisions affecting the parties without realizing the effect these decisions have on themselves in the long run. Justice Scott Field previously served on the Third
A fundamental shift is happening in courtrooms throughout the state in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. More and more judges have taken to allowing remote appearances to promote continued social distancing and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. In this episode, Todd Smith and Jody Sanders speak with Judge Emily Miskel of the 470th
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our institutions on a systemic level, but technology has helped bridge gaps so business and life can go on. In this episode, Todd Smith and Jody Sanders interview Blake Hawthorne, the Texas Supreme Court Clerk, about the Court’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Blake discusses the emergency
Courts all over Texas increasingly rely on technology to facilitate document filing and records management. On top of making the filing process more efficient, technology has helped improve the accuracy of court records. In this episode, Texas Supreme Court Clerk Blake Hawthorne joins Todd Smith and Jody Sanders to discuss his role at the Court
For lawyers with cases before the Texas Supreme Court, effective advocacy requires an intrinsic understanding of the petition-for-review and decision process. Todd Smith and Jody Sanders sit down for a conversation with Justice Jeff Boyd, who has served on the Court since 2012. Justice Boyd discusses his background, life at the Texas Supreme Court