Editor’s Note: The Office of Court Administration issued the following news release on August 31. The Office of Court Administration (OCA) released its report on Jury Trials During the COVID-19 Pandemic today as required by the Supreme Court of Texas’ Twenty-Second Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster. The report contains observations from the 20 jury trials held in the state since March 2020, including details from the nation’s first virtual criminal jury trial.…

Robert Galloway, recently named the inaugural president of the National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators, will lead South Texas College of Law Houston’s Advocacy program.…

The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors will meet at 9 a.m. on September 10 in a special meeting to consider a tabled motion to restrict the spokesperson duties of the bar’s president among other matters. The agenda for the meeting also contains items to: Consider and discuss referral of ABA Model Rule 8.4(g) to the Board of Directors’ Discipline and Client Attorney Assistance Program (DCAAP) Committee for study and recommendation Consider and discuss approval…

Due to potentially dangerous and destructive conditions predicted in advance of Hurricane Laura’s landfall, the State Bar of Texas wants Southeast Texas residents to know free legal resources are available to low-income individuals affected by disasters. A toll-free disaster legal services hotline—800-504-7030—puts callers in touch with legal aid providers in their area who can help with: Assistance securing government benefits as they are made available; Assistance with life, medical, and property insurance claims; Help with…

A Texas law librarian and legal technologist was included in the annual Fastcase 50 list, which honors top innovators in the legal field. Andre Davison, the research technology manager at Blank Rome in Houston, was named to the list alongside other attorneys, professors, and entrepreneurs from around the world.…

Editor’s note: TLAP offers confidential assistance for lawyers, law students, and judges with substance use or mental health issues. Call or text TLAP at 1-800-343-8527 (TLAP) or find more information at tlaphelps.org. Every Friday, I drove thirty minutes to the liquor store to purchase my week’s libations: a handle (1.75-liter bottle) of Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whiskey, a handle of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, a handle of Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and four…

The University of Houston received a $1 million gift from alumnus Danny M. Sheena, of Sheena Law Firm, to support construction of the new John M. O’Quinn Law Building. In recognition of the gift, the planned moot courtroom and dividable classroom space will be named the Danny M. Sheena Courtroom; Danny M. Sheena Classroom; and Megan D. Sheena Classroom, named for Sheena’s daughter Megan, a current student at the University of Houston Law Center.…