State Bar of Texas Podcast

Even though bankruptcy touches so many areas of the law, many attorneys outside bankruptcy practice lack an adequate understanding of how it all works. Rocky Dhir brings on experts Catherine Curtis and Robert Vanhemelrijck to get an overview of what all lawyers should know about this area of legal practice. They discuss different types of bankruptcy, outline filing and court processes, and share pro tips for things to look out for when working with clients in bankruptcy proceedings. Catherine Curtis is an Associate Attorney at Wick Phillips, where she represents clients in a broad range of insolvency and bankruptcy matters. J. Robert Vanhemelrijck is the founding and managing partner of Vanhemelrijck Law Offices, LP in San Antonio, Texas.

On an October morning in 2017, Lisa Torry Smith was walking her son to school when they were struck by a car while in a crosswalk. Lisa died at the scene, her son was badly injured, and the driver was only ticketed for the incident. Lisa’s family fought for change after this tragic event, seeking real consequences for negligent driving and greater driver awareness and care across the state. Brian Middleton, now District Attorney in Fort Bend County, Texas, drafted the Lisa Torry Smith Act, which was passed into law in June of 2021. Tune in with State Bar of Texas podcast host Rocky Dhir as he talks with Brian about the implications of this new law and its aim to create accountability for driver negligence in crosswalks. Read Brian Middleton’s article in the Texas Bar Journal: The New Stop and Yield Law: The Death of Lisa Torry Smith

A surprising shift has swept through Texas courts since COVID-19, likely traceable to the public’s collective new awareness of suffering due to pandemic-era hardships. In recent months, there has seemed to be a marked change in jurors’ thoughts on awarding non-economic damages, resulting in larger damages verdicts in many courts. To discuss this phenomenon, Rocky Dhir talks with Randy Sorrels about his article, Fully Acknowledging Human Damages, which appeared in the October issue of the Texas Bar Journal. Randy Sorrels is a partner at Sorrels Law in Houston, Texas, and holds board certifications from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the National Board of Trial Advocacy, including: Personal Injury Trial Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Trial Advocacy.

An individual’s use of the justice system shouldn’t solely be based on a cost-benefit analysis, but for many, it is just that. With such a major hurdle in access to justice, a retooling of legal practice is needed to make justice affordable for all. Rocky Dhir talks with Joshua Weaver about the innovative ways the Texas Opportunity & Justice Incubator helps lawyers offer high-quality services to low and modest income people. Joshua Weaver is director of the Texas Opportunity & Justice Incubator (TOJI), a flagship program of the State Bar of Texas focused on supporting attorneys as they build sustainable solo practices serving low-income and modest-income communities.

As a follow-up to her panel discussion at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2022, Keri Blakinger joins Rocky Dhir to share more of her personal story and her perspectives on prisons in the United States. She discusses her incarceration experience, her passion for public records, and her newly released memoir, “Corrections in Ink.” Keri Blakinger is a Texas-based journalist and the author of the “Corrections in Ink,” a memoir tracing her path from figure skating to heroin addiction to prison and, finally, to life as an investigative reporter covering mass incarceration.

Space innovation is ramping up in Brownsville, Texas. The city experienced rapid change in the past decade after SpaceX set up operations, and many lawyers are excited to have a front row seat to a new era of space exploration and the innovations arising in aerospace law as a result. Rocky Dhir chats with Brownsville attorneys Victor Flores and Will Trevino about their recent articles in the Texas Bar Journal and their thoughts on new developments in space law, cybersecurity concerns, and the role of lawyers in shaping future space endeavors. Check out their articles in the Texas Bar Journal: Building a New Highway From Texas to Mars by Victor Flores Space Hackers by Will Trevino Victor A. Flores serves on the Texas City Attorneys Association Board of Directors, is the past president of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, and is the city attorney for the city of Brownsville. Guillermo “Will” S. Trevino is a member of the State Bar of Texas Computer and Technology Section and serves as a member of its council. He is a deputy city attorney for the city of Brownsville.

Should We Be Able to Reclaim a Racist Slur – as a Registered Trademark?  In this special State Bar of Texas podcast, host Rocky Dihr welcomes Simon Tam, a musician, author, activist, and entrepreneur, whose efforts to trademark his band name “The Slants” prompted a nearly 10-year long legal battle that eventually wound up in the U.S. Supreme Court. Rocky and Simon discuss:   The Power of Reclaiming Culturally Controversial and Derogatory Terms What it’s like to bring a Lawsuit Before the U.S. Supreme Court The State of Free Speech The Landmark Supreme Court Ruling in Tam’s Favor The Relationship between Arts and Activism, and How to Create Positive Change with Lasting Impacts   Simon Tam is the the founder and bassist of “The Slants”, the world’s first and only all-Asian American dance rock band. Simon is also an author, activist, TEDx speaker and podcaster, who is passionate about changing the world with relentless optimism and compassion.

What Are the Legal Implications of the Astroworld Aftermath? In November 2021, a fatal crowd crush occurred during the first night of the 2021 Astroworld Festival that resulted in the deaths of ten people, plus hundreds of serious injuries. Could this Catastrophe have been Prevented?  Litigation attorneys, Saba Syed, Brent Turman and Barrett Robin join host, Laurence Colletti in this special episode to discuss: Both the Plaintiffs’ and Defendants’ sides of the argument Who Can Be Held Legally Responsible for Damages Suffered?  Will There Be Criminal Charges Filed?  And What Could the Event's Settlement Entail?   Session Topic: Astroworld Aftermath: Litigation and Its Impact on the Live Events Industry Saba Syed is a Partner and Litigation Attorney at Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP. Brent Turman is also a Partner and Litigation Attorney at Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP. Barrett Robin Trial Attorney at Hamilton Wingo, LLP.

Successful lawyers are successful storytellers. Special guest Corban Addision joins the podcast to discuss his most recent legal thriller “Wastelands”; and how lawyers can leverage the power of storytelling in their legal writing to advance justice and client advocacy.  The book “Wastelands” tells the extraordinary, true story of how a rural, North Carolina community stood up against one of the world’s most powerful meatpacking companies polluting their communities – and won.  Corban Addison is an attorney, activist, bestselling author, speaker and world traveler. He brings attention to human rights crises around the world through his thought-provoking books and legal publishings.  

As the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) quickly approaches the final weeks of the term, it has yet to cast its opinion on a handful of crucial issues that linger on the minds of many Americans. Abortion, gun rights, immigration and the environment are just a few of the key issues in play. Trial Associate Susanna Rychlak Allen gives us an update on what we can expect from SCOTUS in its last leg of a highly controversial term and how things might look going forward.  Susanna Rychlak Allen is a trial associate with Yetter Coleman, LLP. Susanna’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and includes experience representing clients in a variety of sectors, including technology, energy, and transportation, among others.