This week marks the start of the 2014 Major League Baseball season. We are only around 160 games away from learning who will play in this year's World Series. Are you hoping for big things from the Houston Astros or Texas Rangers this year? By this time next month, I imagine those storylines already will be much clearer. As ballparks around the country welcome eager fans-parents taking kids their first game, old timers who haven't...
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The explosion of social media over the last decade has changed almost every aspect of our lives and communities. There is no need to wait for high school reunions to find out what your teenage crush is up to these days. Who needs to think of new ideas for birthday parties or kitchen remodeling, or dinner recipes when such details are being swapped online all the time? Of more global importance, presidential campaigns are reaching...
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Austin, TX (Law Wire News) March 26, 2014 James Gist was awarded more than a half million dollars from a Galveston County jury last week after enduring nearly six months of sexually suggestive statements and behavior from his female superior, Pam Matranga, in 2011, The Houston Chronicle (3/22/14) reported. While some wondered if the case would be dismissed or minimized due to the traditional notion that only men can be guilty of sexual harassment, a...
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What most people hope for in an employer is someone who is a strong leader, who inspires those in his company to work their hardest, who is fair in her criticisms and promotions and who appreciates the work being done around him. What most people do not want is a boss who will take advantage of a position of power to take workers for granted or, even worse, outright harass and abuse them. Unfortunately, Henri...
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Debt is a big issue in most divorces these days, and some couples end up fighting about who is responsible for shared debts. Unfortunately, debt issues are complicated because a divorce decree may not be the final word on what happens to debt after your marriage ends. As any experienced divorce lawyer knows, finances are often one of the most complicated and contentious aspects of a divorce. An attorney might be able to assist you...
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Did you know that Harris County, Texas, home to Houston, is the deadliest county in the United States when it comes to alcohol-related car accidents? Not a proud title to have. But, our court system is taking some steps this week that it hopes will change Houston's unfortunate standing when it comes to tragedies stemming from those driving under the influence. Harris County is bringing in two more dockets for its SOBER court, allowing up...
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Austin, TX (Law Wire News) March 17, 2014 A lawsuit that was set to be heard in federal court in early March in which 11 former cadets had claimed physical and mental abuse at the hands of older students at St. John's Military School in Kansas has quietly been settled ("Military school lawsuit settled on eve of trial, The Houston Chronicle, March 3, 2014). Details that would have emerged as each plaintiff took the stand to make his...
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In today's global world, many people who are U.S. citizens are married to someone who is not a citizen. This can make the process of estate planning more complicated. However, as long as you plan ahead and make arrangements to deal with the issue, the probate process should go smoothly as non-citizens are allowed to inherit property. This includes homes and land in the United States. A qualified probate attorney can help spouses and other...
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It is not against the law to hate other people, to say awful things about fellow human beings, or to socialize with others who share racist or bigoted views. The First Amendment protects the rights of all Americans to make their feelings known, even when they are not pleasant. And according to a recent report published by the Southern Poverty Law Center, some in Texas take full advantage of this freedom. There is no doubt...
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Austin, TX (Law Wire News) March 12, 2013 Commenting on media reports about the NFL bullying scandal, Texas attorney Tony R. Berolino of Bertolino LLP today said the national story has opened up a discussion about harassment men and women face every day in the workplace. In measures taken to address a locker room story that dominated hours of time on ESPN and sports talk radio and even among commentators beyond the football world, the...
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