Texans for Lawsuit Reform

Through political action, legal, academic and market research, and grassroots initiatives, TLR fights for common-sense reforms that keep Texas open for business.

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For the Record

The End of an Era for One Storm-Chasing Lawyer

TLR spent the 2015 and 2017 legislative sessions working to fix the problems storm-chasing lawyers were creating for Texas property owners. Fortunately, the Texas Legislature passed a common-sense solution in 2017 to make it harder for these lawyers to file unnecessary lawsuits, while maintaining the strongest insurance consumer protections laws in the United States for Texas property owners.

We had heard credible stories since late 2013 of lawyers trolling for clients following hail and wind storms. In many places, lawyers were ignoring criminal laws and ethical rules by paying roofing contractors and public insurance adjusters to go door-to-door to solicit clients.

The solicitors were promising homeowners they could get a lot more money from their insurance companies if they would just “sign here.” In many cases, they never disclosed that they were working on behalf of an attorney. Then the lawyers would step in—sometimes filing 20 or more lawsuits at a time—claiming all kinds of nefarious actions by the insurance companies. In many instances, the insurance companies had paid the homeowners’ claims months before, and having heard nothing more from the homeowner, closed the file.

Even worse, we repeatedly heard that many homeowners were completely surprised to learn they had hired a lawyer or filed a lawsuit against their insurance company. In other words, they were signed up for legal services without their knowledge or consent.

For several years, Kent Livesay was one of the most prolific of these storm-chasing lawyers. He filed literally hundreds of dubious storm-related cases, mostly in South Texas. But not without consequences.

In August 2016, the State Bar of Texas suspended Livesay’s law license for misconduct related to several weather-related lawsuits he had pursued. He was barred from practicing law in Texas throughout 2017.

Then about a year later, in June 2017, Livesay was indicted by a Tarrant County grand jury for fraud related to lawsuits filed from 2014 to 2016 against insurance companies without the homeowners’ knowledge or consent.

In January 2018, the State Bar of Texas suspended Livesay’s license for another year for ambulance chasing in El Paso and North Carolina.

Recently, Kent Livesay pleaded guilty in Tarrant County to insurance fraud and barratry (ambulance chasing). The fraud aspect of his wrongdoing included filing lawsuits on behalf of homeowners who had not retained him as their attorney. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

As part of his plea, Livesay agreed to divulge the details of the entire fraud and barratry scheme he participated in. He has implicated other attorneys, roofing contractors and public insurance adjusters in a web of solicitation that flies in the face of ethical and legal standards for lawyer conduct.

The wheels of justice turn slowly. Livesay started down this path in 2012. But eventually, his scheme to cheat consumers and defraud insurance companies is coming to an inglorious end.

But Kent Livesay is just one of a host of bad actors. We hope that this outcome, coupled with the Legislature’s actions in the past two sessions, brings us closer to end the era of storm-chasing lawsuit abuse.

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Texans for Lawsuit Reform

3 days ago

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

A great turnout at our 88th Legislative Session Lunch & Learn today! Thanks to all the legislative staffers who joined us to hear about TLR’s agenda this session. ... See MoreSee Less

A  great turnout at our 88th Legislative Session Lunch & Learn today! Thanks to all the legislative staffers who joined us to hear about TLR’s agenda this session.Image attachment
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Texans for Lawsuit Reform

3 days ago

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

In case you missed it: Check out the TLR Advocate to read our top priorities for the 88th legislative session, guest columns, and an update on the expanding TLR team. Read and share: bit.ly/3ZHdEva ... See MoreSee Less

In case you missed it: Check out the TLR Advocate to read our top priorities for the 88th legislative session, guest columns, and an update on the expanding TLR team. Read and share: https://bit.ly/3ZHdEva
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Texans for Lawsuit Reform

4 days ago

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

Public nuisance lawsuits have expanded beyond their traditional use into a way to regulate through litigation. TLR is dedicated to preventing the public nuisance doctrine from becoming a catch-all cause of action used to impose one person’s political views on society as a whole. Read and share: bit.ly/3ZHdEva ... See MoreSee Less

Public nuisance lawsuits have expanded beyond their traditional use into a way to regulate through litigation. TLR is dedicated to preventing the public nuisance doctrine from becoming a catch-all cause of action used to impose one person’s political views on society as a whole. Read and share: https://bit.ly/3ZHdEva
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lawsuitreform avatarTLR@lawsuitreform·
3 Feb 1621598756633288707

A great turnout at our 88th Legislative Session Lunch & Learn today! Thanks to all the legislative staffers who joined us to hear about TLR’s agenda this session. #txlege

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lawsuitreform avatarTLR@lawsuitreform·
3 Feb 1621539669228879873

#ICYMI: Check out the TLR Advocate to read our top priorities for the 88th legislative session, guest columns, and an update on the expanding TLR team. Read and share: https://bit.ly/3ZHdEva

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lawsuitreform avatarTLR@lawsuitreform·
2 Feb 1621267523164426242

TLR is working to make the Texas legal system fair, efficient, and accessible for all. Learn more: #txjustice #txcourts

TLR at a Glance

TLR's objective is to restore litigation to its traditional and appropriate role in our society. A lawsuit takes a heavy emotional and financial toll ...

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Texans for Lawsuit Reform
1701 Brun Street
Houston, Texas 77019

Ph. 713-963-9363
  • About TLR
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  • Timeline of Reforms
  • Videos
  • Issues
  • Resource Center
  • For the Record
  • Special Reports
  • In the News
  • Press Releases
  • Invite a TLR Speaker
  • Get Involved
  • Invite a TLR Speaker
  • Donate
  • Stay Informed
  • Contact TLR

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