Texas litigators have long relied on established methods of service such as personal delivery, certified mail, substituted service at a residence or workplace and, when those efforts fail, service by publication. As defendants have become increasingly difficult to locate through traditional means, however, many nonetheless maintain an active online presence. In response to this shift
This year, Texas enacted a procedural change with notable consequences for companies and individuals affected by litigation beyond the state’s borders. Effective August 31, 2025, the Texas Supreme Court adopted the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (“UIDDA”), bringing Texas in alignment with the procedural framework already used by the vast majority of U.S. jurisdictions.
Since 1991, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (“TCPA”) has protected consumers from unwanted and intrusive telemarketing practices at the federal level. Several states also enacted their own telephone solicitation laws that mirror or add further protection to consumers in their state, known as “mini-TCPA” laws. A growing number of states further strengthened their
Guardianship Law: An Overview
With our aging population, second marriages and the blended families that arise therefrom, both elder law and family law attorneys are witnessing an uptick in divorce proceedings filed by adult children of elderly parents.
When Carlos Benavides died in December 2020, he left behind more than just a wealthy estate—he sparked a legal challenge that would force Texas courts to confront one of family law’s most divisive questions.
For over a century, American courts have wrestled with a fundamental question: Can someone else decide to end your marriage when
On April 16, 2025, Senator Schwertner moved to suspend the Texas Senate’s regular order of business to take up and consider Committee Substituted Senate Bill 30 (“CSSB 30”). This motion prevailed by a vote of 20 Yeas and 11 Nays. During this session, 5 different Senators proposed 6 total amendments to CCSB 30. Senator Schwertner’s
Though House Bill 4806 has not seen substantial movement since its introduction on March 13,[1] its identical counterpart, Senate Bill 30, is steadily progressing through the Texas Senate. Most recently, on April 14, 2025, Senator Schwertner distributed a substituted Senate Bill 30 to the committee on State Affairs, containing 9 substantial changes to Senate
On March 13, 2025, the Texas House of Representatives introduced House Bill 4806, authored by Representative Greg Bonnen, to limit the recovery of damages in civil actions. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced that Senate Bill 30 — an identical companion bill to House Bill 4806 authored by Senator Charles Schwertner — is part of
On May 10, 2023, the Texas State Senate passed H.B. 4, titled the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (“TDPSA”), sending the bill to Governor Abbott’s desk for final signature. If signed into law, Texas will join a growing contingency of states enforcing comprehensive data privacy laws for their residents.
This alert provides answers
I. Introduction
Attorneys experienced in defending depositions know the importance of witness preparation. A key component of this process requires counsel to sift through large amounts of produced discovery to identify specific documents ripe for examination by opposing counsel. An interesting issue unfolds when an examining attorney asks a witness during the deposition to recount