On June 14, 2019, Governor Greg Abbot signed into law a bill (House Bill 3703) expanding access to medical marijuana products in the State of Texas. Effective immediately, qualified physicians can prescribe medical marijuana products to treat epilepsy, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis (commonly known as MS), spasticity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (commonly known as ALS or Lou Gherig’s disease), autism, terminal cancer, and incurable neurodegenerative diseases. The patient must be a permanent resident of…

Lone Star Bench & Bar

Dallas Now Requires Paid Sick Leave, But The New Law May Be Challenged in Court

By Lee Szor on June 7, 2019

The Dallas City Council recently enacted a paid sick leave ordinance that requires private employers to provide eligible employees with paid sick leave. It’s important for Dallas employers to understand their obligations under this new law, which we summarize below. Before we do that, however, a big picture consideration: the ordinance seems likely to face legal challenges that may delay, if not altogether prevent, it from taking effect. The Third Court of Appeals recently found…

Lone Star Bench & Bar

Employers Beware: ICE Is Ramping Up I-9 Audits to Record Levels

By Fox Rothschild LLP on July 25, 2018

On Fox’s Immigration View blog, partner Alka Bahal provides a detailed exploration of the I-9 inspection process, in the wake of a recent surge in I-9 audits carried out by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. All employers in the United States are required to have a Form I-9 on file for all employees to verify their identity and authorization to work in the United States. We invite you to read Alka’s information-packed post addressing…

Lone Star Bench & Bar

Employers Beware: ICE Is Ramping Up I-9 Audits to Record Levels

By Fox Rothschild LLP on July 25, 2018

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They Put Money Where? Conducting Discovery About International Assets

By Stephanie L. Matherne on April 16, 2018

It happens to family lawyers all the time. A new client comes in to meet with us for an initial consultation and tells us that his or her spouse controlled all of the money and assets. The new client is panicked, because he or she has no idea what the parties own, what the parties’ liabilities are, or even where the majority of the parties’ accounts are held. In the normal case, most Texas family…

Lone Star Bench & Bar

Trade Secret Protection v. Patent Protection: A Risk-Reward Decision That Can Have Major Implications

By Andy Nikolopoulos on April 9, 2018

There is much confusion in the public about the difference between a trade secret and a patent. Both are associated with innovation, and each constitute a business asset that should be vigorously protected. But why do some companies choose to patent their innovation while others choose to cloak it as a trade secret? The Uniform Trade Secrets Act defines a trade secret as information that: (1) derives economic value from not being generally known or…

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Rethinking Business Entities Under the New Tax Act

By Sabina Bramlett on March 26, 2018

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 changes the income tax planning for all businesses, including for small business owners. It is now more important than ever for business owners to consult with their tax advisors before setting up new business entities, and to consider restructuring their existing business entities to take advantage of potentially significant tax benefits under the new law. Prior tax laws favored structuring businesses as pass-through entities, such as limited…

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Dallas Bike Share Laws: Making actual progress or just spinning our wheels?

By K. Patrick Babb on March 19, 2018

Pile of share bikes — A pile of share bikes littering the street.

Much like the actual “bike share” bikes themselves, the topic of bike share programs seems to pop up around every corner in Dallas. Let me start by going on record as being pro-bike share. But not everyone is a fan. Complaints about the bikes seemingly ring from every neighborhood from Oak Cliff to Preston Hollow. Perhaps we have all forgotten how impossible it used to be to bike around Dallas just 10 years ago. Maybe…

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When Social Media Use is Conditional on Terms and Conditions

By Kimberly Winnubst on March 8, 2018

In the age of social media, new platforms struggle to dethrone the reigning kings of Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. But one application, Vero, has gained traction in its attempt to replace Instagram. Launched in 2015, Vero touts itself as a “true social” experience where users can share photos, links, music, movies, books, and location check-ins. Although Vero launched in 2015, it shot to the top of Apple’s App Store (from #566 to #1) and Google …

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Ignorance Is Not Bliss: It’s Time to Enact a Meaningful Sexual Harassment Policy

By Dana M. Hilzendager on March 2, 2018

Each day more and more women come forward to share their stories of abuse within the workplace and without. And people are actually listening. In the not-so-distant past, the primary concern for some employers may have been the legal consequence of firing a worker after she internally reported sexual harassment. Now, as women become more emboldened to speak up and as the public becomes more receptive to listening, employers have more to worry about…

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The Fox Rothschild Texas Business Law Blog

Blog Authors

Texas Expands Its Medical Marijuana Law

Dallas Now Requires Paid Sick Leave, But The New Law May Be Challenged in Court

Employers Beware: ICE Is Ramping Up I-9 Audits to Record Levels

Employers Beware: ICE Is Ramping Up I-9 Audits to Record Levels

They Put Money Where? Conducting Discovery About International Assets

Trade Secret Protection v. Patent Protection: A Risk-Reward Decision That Can Have Major Implications

Rethinking Business Entities Under the New Tax Act

Dallas Bike Share Laws: Making actual progress or just spinning our wheels?

When Social Media Use is Conditional on Terms and Conditions

Ignorance Is Not Bliss: It’s Time to Enact a Meaningful Sexual Harassment Policy

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