Recent Articles

Internet-Based Practice Management Solutions

D. Todd Smith
January 06, 2009 15:18

Regular readers of this blog know that I'm interested in technology and how it impacts law practice.  In keeping with that interest, I wrote an article for the January issue of the Texas Bar Journal entitled "Internet-Based Practice Management Solutions."  The...

Happy New Year (and Second Birthday Texas Appellate Law Blog)!

D. Todd Smith
January 01, 2009 18:00

Two years ago today, I launched this blog—the first of its kind in Texas— to engage folks who are interested in or involved with civil appellate issues.  As was the case last New Year's Day, publishing content and interacting with readers...

Texas Lawyers to Follow on Twitter

D. Todd Smith
December 23, 2008 18:05

Borrowing an idea from JD Scoop, I have decided to compile and maintain an index of Texas lawyers, legal professionals, and firms who actively use Twitter.  The alphabetical list (by username) appears below. Like everything else, Twitter is what you make of it. ...

Flying Solo in Appellate Law

D. Todd Smith
December 22, 2008 14:00

In early 2006, when I first seriously pondered leaving BigLaw and opening a solo practice, I found a great deal of information and support through various listservs and blogs.  Even still, making the leap was daunting, largely because I had...

Microblog Roundup 12/20/08

D. Todd Smith
December 20, 2008 21:47

A sample of my microblog entries thus far in December appears below. To receive all of my updates, follow me on Twitter at at @dtoddsmith. Thanks to @glambert for including me as nos. 32, 45, 65 & 125 in the "'Must Read' Blog Posts of 2008" at http://is.gd/cv74. A great...

Texas Supreme Court Orders & Opinions 12/19/08

D. Todd Smith
December 19, 2008 15:18

The Texas Supreme Court issued five new opinions and one supplemental opinion on rehearing with this week's regular orders, its last set for 2008.  The next regular orders will be released on Friday, January 9, 2009. Osler McCarthy's opinion summaries are available here.

More Oral Arguments?

D. Todd Smith
December 16, 2008 17:10

As I prepare for an oral argument tomorrow, I came across this article from Texas Lawyer reporting that the intermediate appellate courts are granting argument in more cases.  That's welcome news, if it holds up. The article quotes incoming Third Court Chief Justice Woodie Jones as supporting...

Texas Supreme Court Orders 12/12/08

D. Todd Smith
December 12, 2008 15:19

After a week filled with oral arguments, the Texas Supreme Court released no new opinions with this week's regular orders.  The Court will be in conference on Monday and Tuesday, so we'll likely see some decisions next Friday.

Let the 2010 Judicial Races Begin!

D. Todd Smith
December 12, 2008 06:15

Shortly after the election, I mentioned having heard rumblings that a sitting justice on the Third Court of Appeals may be leaving.  I haven't brought it up again because I hadn't confirmed it directly with the judge in question, but with this story, the news has...

Chief Justice Jones to Preside Starting January 14

D. Todd Smith
December 11, 2008 21:04

Incoming Third Court of Appeals Chief Justice Woodie Jones won't take office for a few more weeks, but he is already showing up on the Court's January oral argument calendar. After next Wednesday (when I happen to be arguing a case), the Court's next oral submission date is January...