TLR Advocate: December 2009
A Voluntary Association Alexis de Toqueville found much to admire in American society and political organization. He particularly lauded the “voluntary association” whereby citizens come together around a cause or an issue to impact public policy. I have engaged with Texans for Lawsuit Reform for fifteen years because I think it exemplifies the way citizens […]
TLR Advocate: July 2009
Lawsuit Reform Alliance Prevails The just-completed 81st Legislative Session is the eighth Session in which TLR has engaged. In some ways, it was our hardest because the trial lawyers, perceiving an opportunity due to changed circumstances in the Legislature, made a broad attack against lawsuit reforms and sound decisions by Texas’ conservative courts. Though we […]
TLR Advocate: March 2009
Lawsuit Reform: The Quest Never Ends Last year was one of the most challenging that we have experienced in our long battle to make the Texas civil justice system fair and balanced. In the 2008 election cycle, wealthy personal injury trial lawyers poured over $8 million into state legislative races in an effort to elect […]
TLR Advocate: Summer 2008
In Memoriam: Michael S. Stevens The New Testament enjoins us to keep our minds focused on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable.” (Phil. 4:8) Michael Stevens, a person of deep faith, heeded that admonition. He led a true, noble, righteous, lovely and admirable […]
TLR Advocate: March 2008
Law and Ethics TLR’s mission is to foster a civil justice system in which disputes can be resolved fairly, honestly, and efficiently. We honor the long tradition of American justice – rooted in ancient English common law, refined in Britain’s American colonies, enshrined in the enduring U.S. Constitution, and evolved through centuries of legislation and […]
TLR Advocate: Summer 2007
Our Seventh Session and Counting We have just finished the 80th legislative session, the seventh in which TLR has engaged. And while every session is different, some things don’t change. Our supporters all over the state stay in touch with lawmakers between sessions. Our Political Action Committee engages in judicial, legislative and statewide elections. Our […]
TLR Advocate: February 2007
Improving the Effectiveness of Our Civil Justice System The Texas Legislature, with the support of Governor Perry, Lt. Governor Dewhurst and Speaker Craddick, has enacted the most comprehensive reform of civil justice laws in our nation’s history. Legislators listened to their constituents, considered the public policies at issue, and studied the often complex and arcane […]
TLR Advocate: December 2006
Treat Jurors Respectfully Founding Father John Adams observed that the most sacred duty of government is to provide “equal and impartial justice to all citizens.” In keeping with that view, both the United States and Texas constitutions guarantee each of us the right to trial by an impartial jury. If our jury system is to […]
TLR Advocate: June 2006
Restoring the Integrity of the Jury System The jury system is a bulwark of democracy, but like any other democratic process, it can be rigged. In parts of Texas, some lawyers have developed the art of trick questions during jury selection (known as “voir dire”) that are designed to eliminate fair-minded jurors. When these questions […]
TLR Advocate: November 2005
The Next Step: Strengthening Texas Courts All of us in Texans for Lawsuit Reform can be proud of our contributions to the sweeping civil justice reforms that have been enacted into law over the past decade. While there is still serious work ahead of us on a number of fronts, including statutory reform, the TLR […]