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If 23andMe Goes Bankrupt its 15 Million Customers and their Families may be at Risk, Experts Say

November 18, 2024 - KPRC (NBC-2, Houston)

But it’s not just individuals who submit their DNA that could be affected. Valerie Gutmann-Koch, a law professor at the University of Houston Law Center, explains that genetic information from family members could be used to draw conclusions about you, even if you didn’t submit your own genetic data.

The Constitution: The Twenty-Fourth Amendment

October 29, 2024 - Houston Public Media

The Constitution has guaranteed our freedoms and rights for over 200 years. In this regular series, Dean Leonard Baynes with the University of Houston Law Center looks at the Amendments and how they relate to society today.

Now the Electoral College votes for President – 4 Essential Reads

November 10, 2024 - Westlaw-Mexico Ledger

However, as Eric Eisner, a history Ph.D. student at Johns Hopkins University, and David B. Froomkin, a law professor at the University of Houston Law Center, explain, that would have run afoul not only of those states' laws but also of another provision of the Constitution: The 14th Amendment says that if a state disenfranchises any of its voters, that state loses a proportional amount of its seats in the House of Representatives.

Where Should People Exercise Caution when it Comes to Deregulated Energy?

November 04, 2024 - USA Today

“Read carefully the termination fee provision. Be very careful about variable-rate plans, as those can tend to lead to big surprises on electricity bills. Check customer ratings of the electricity provider, and avoid them like the plague if they seem sketchy." said Darren Bush, a law professor at the University of Houston Law Center.

Texas was about to Execute Robert Roberson. Then a Last-Ditch Tactic Bought Him More Time

October 18, 2024 - Westlaw

The unconventional method of using a subpoena to stop Roberson's execution was punctuated by the delay coming from the Texas Supreme Court, the state's highest civil court and which rarely gets involved in criminal matters. "It really is highly dramatic and something I certainly have never seen," said Sandra Guerra Thompson, a law professor at the University of Houston Law Center.

Why the U.S. Government is Investigating Google

October 10, 2024 - Westlaw

Following the Epic ruling, a U.S. judge on Monday issued a permanent injunction that will force Google to offer alternatives to Google Play for downloading apps on Android phones. "They should break them up for the sake of future innovation and ultimately also for the sake of U.S. democracy," said Nikolas Guggenberger, an assistant professor at the University of Houston's law center.

The Constitution: The Twenty-Third Amendment

October 01, 2024 - Houston Public Media

The Constitution has guaranteed our freedoms and rights for over 200 years. In this regular series, Dean Leonard Baynes with the University of Houston Law Center looks at the Amendments and how they relate to society today.

ANALYSIS-Google Ad Tech Trial Outcome No Death Blow, Win or Lose

September 30, 2024 - Westlaw

If Google loses the ad tech trial, the most serious implication might be how the company manages the ripple effects of court-ordered remedies across other parts of its ad tech suite, said Nikolas Guggenberger, a law professor at the University of Houston. In theory, a DOJ win would make it easier for advertisers and publishers to switch ad tech platforms.

What the RealPage rent conspiracy allegations mean for Houston

September 15, 2024 - Westlaw

In a separate case filed by the Arizona state attorney general in 2024, an analysis of rental data suggested that renters at RealPage-using properties were overcharged by 12% to 13%. "That would probably overstate the ill-gotten gains, but that would be an enormous amount of rental value -- like in the billions of dollars," said University of Houston law professor Nikolas Guggenberger.

How the 14th Amendment prevents state legislatures from subverting popular presidential elections

August 29, 2024 - Westlaw

Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election not only failed, but some of them also rested on a misreading of the U.S. Constitution, as our new analysis argues. The relevant constitutional provision dates back to just after the Civil War, and contemporaries recognized it as a key protection of American democracy.

Fight Over State Fair Gun Ban

August 30, 2024 - Spectrum News

Professor Seth Chandler appeared on a Spectrum News segment discussing the Texas State Fair's decision to reaffirm its gun ban policy.

Five Careers (Besides Lawyer) you Can Pursue with Your LL.M.

August 28, 2024 - LLM Guide

“The great thing about a law degree is that the skills learned can be applied across most professions,” says Karen Jones, the University of Houston Law Center’s executive director of global and graduate programs. “Some of the valuable skills acquired include research, technical writing, analysis, communication, critical thinking, understanding regulations and reading comprehension.”

Five of the Hottest LL.M. Specialties Right Now

August 28, 2024 - llm-guide.com

“Healthcare is a very complex, dynamic area of law and policy that impacts everyone in our society,” says Michael Ewer, director of the Health Law LL.M. program at the University of Houston Law Center.

Proposed Texas Elementary School Curriculum Could Test Separation of Church, State

August 18, 2024 - Spectrum News 1

The Texas State Board of Education is reviewing multiple curriculums and will approve a list of options that school districts can implement....“You really have to show government endorsement of a particular religion or coercion on the part of the students,” said Seth Chandler, University of Houston professor of constitutional law.

Ken Paxton Sues to Shut Down Houston Immigration Nonprofit for Posts Criticizing Trump, Abbott

August 18, 2024 - Houston Chronicle

“When it is an election year, if an organization makes public statements that are overwhelmingly negative toward one candidate and does not do the same with respect to other candidates, that is a factor strongly indicating participation in, or intervention in, a political campaign,” said Johnny Buckles, a law professor at the University of Houston.

City, SAPD Mull Surveillance Tech

August 18, 2024 - Westlaw

"Agencies should have clear rules about what police can do with these systems," said Peter Salib, an assistant law professor at the University of Houston Law Center. "Are you allowed as an officer to view any footage without some kind of probable cause reason? Are you allowed to go make an arrest based on a system match?"

Paxton Finds a New Target to Bully

August 17, 2024 - Westlaw

“When it is an election year, if an organization makes public statements that are overwhelmingly negative toward one candidate and does not do the same with respect to other candidates, that is a factor strongly indicating participation in, or intervention in, a political campaign,” said Johnny Buckles, a law professor at the University of Houston..

Ken Paxton Might Sue the State Fair over its Gun Ban. Could the Houston Rodeo be next?

August 16, 2024 - Westlaw

Sandra Guerra Thompson, a professor at the University of Houston Law Center, said the theoretical lawsuit would be a complicated case to extrapolate or untangle due to the laws regarding private ownership and public land. "The situation with the state fair is one that's right on the line; it's like a hybrid case," Thompson said. "It's a private organization that hosts the state fair, but they're doing it on government land."

Cypress Fairbanks ISD Board Approves Bible Courses for next School Year

August 14, 2024 - ABC 13 Houston

Two courses coming to Cy-Fair ISD high school classrooms caught parents' attention this week........University of Houston law professor Seth Chandler said right now, he doesn't see anything wrong. "So long as these days as they are presenting it in a neutral way where they're not trying to convert anyone, and it's taught historically, and it's voluntary, I think it's going to be OK under Supreme...

Texas Attorney General Opens Investigation into CenterPoint’s Handling of Hurricane Beryl

August 13, 2024 - Houston Public Media

David Kwok, associate professor at the University of Houston Law Center, noted that while the terms fraud and waste are used in both civil and criminal contexts, most corporate fraud or waste cases in the U.S. are handled as civil actions.

Fate of Some Steward Health Hospitals Comes into Focus, but St. Joseph Medical Center's still Unclear

August 13, 2024 - Westlaw

According to RJ Shannon, a partner at Houston-based Shannon and Lee LLP and an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center , the complicated nature of the sale has ripple effects for other parties filing suit against St. Joseph, as all litigation is stayed.

Leave the Protesters Alone

August 01, 2024 - Westlaw

Many municipalities around the country have ordinances on the books banning or restricting the targeted protesting of homes that date back to anti-abortion protests in front of doctors’ homes in the 80s and 90s, said Emily Berman, a constitutional law professor at the University of Houston Law Center.

Shilo Sanders Bankruptcy Case is an Oddity

July 09, 2024 - Westlaw

"Minors are liable in tort just as adults are," said Meredith Duncan, a law professor at the University of Houston. "Such is true in most states. The plaintiff in this case (Darjean) is suing Shilo for committing a tort (a civil wrong) and seeking to hold him civilly liable (for monetary damages). Unlike the criminal court system, on the civil side being a minor at the time of the commission of a tort does not shield one from liability. Usually, the practical difficulty in suing a minor in tort is that most minors have no money."

Nelson Mullins Continues Robust Growth, Doubling Size of its Houston Office with Tax Controversy and Litigation Group

July 08, 2024 - Westlaw

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, a full-service national law firm with offices from coast to coast, announced nine tax attorneys have joined its office in Houston, Texas. The group is joining the firm from Chamberlain Hrdlicka. Nelson Mullins....welcomes Houston partners Juan Vasquez, Jr., David Calvillo, Stuart Clements, Peter Lowy, and David Medina, of counsel Keith Livesay, and associates Tania Albuja, Emmanuel Almaraz, and Tristan Montaque (joins July 8). Nelson Mullins opened its Houston office in April 2024 with 10 attorneys. Additionally, Vasquez Jr. and Lowy serve as Adjunct Professors of Law at the University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) where they teach Tax Controversy and Litigation among other tax law classes.

Supreme Court term saw Declining Faith in Neutrality, Ethical Standards

July 07, 2024 - Westlaw

The Supreme Court released a long-awaited code of conduct early in the term, hoping to put to rest controversies such as the revelation last year that Thomas and Alito took unreported trips funded by wealthy benefactors.....Renee Knake Jefferson, a University of Houston Law Center professor specializing in legal ethics, called the code "ceremonial at best."

Supreme Court Ethics Remain at Center Stage after Hard-Right Rulings

July 06, 2024 - Westlaw

In announcing the code, the court said it wanted to correct a public misunderstanding "that the Justices of this Court, unlike all other jurists in this country, regard themselves as unrestricted by any ethics rules." But experts in judicial ethics panned the lack of an enforcement mechanism or specificity about lavish gifts or when a justice should recuse....Renee Knake Jefferson, a University of Houston Law Center professor specializing in legal ethics, called the code "ceremonial at best." "It does not address the issues that were very concerning to the public," she said.

 

Shilo Sanders' Bankruptcy case: How Alleged Actions in Youth Led to $11 million Debt

July 05, 2024 - Westlaw

"Minors are liable in tort just as adults are," said Meredith Duncan, a law professor at the University of Houston. "Such is true in most states.

Houston Law Professor Discusses Trump Supreme Court Decision

July 03, 2024 - Fox 26 (Houston)

Emily Berman, Professor of Law at the University of Houston, joins FOX 26 Anchor Anthony Antoine to discuss the Supreme Court's decision regarding former President Donald Trump.

Supreme Court Rules Partial Immunity For Trump

July 03, 2024 - Houston Press

Emily Berman is a University of Houston professor who teaches constitutional law and she says the critical question not just for the public at large but for the courts themselves is distinguishing what is official and what is unofficial.

Texas Residents can now ask Companies to Delete Information Collected about them

July 03, 2024 - Houston Public Media

Nikolas Guggenberger is a University of Houston Law Professor focusing on Privacy and Data Protection Law. Guggenberger said companies most commonly receive data from consumers when they sign up to newsletters, or through trackers on their website.

States’ Abortion Fight with Biden to Continue after Idaho Ruling

July 02, 2024 - Bloomberg Law

“There’s going to be inconsistent application of EMTALA across the country because the court decided against making a final judgment about what it means,” said Laura Portuondo, a reproductive and constitutional law professor at the University of Houston Law Center.

Shifting Legal Positions Behind High Court Abortion Punt

July 01, 2024 - Law360

University of Houston Law Center constitutional law professor Emily Berman said that the nature of the decision suggests that the justices thought there would be more agreement among themselves when they decided to take the case.

Cases Test Duty to Stop School Shooters

July 01, 2024 - San Antonio Express-News

Sandra Guerra Thompson, a law professor at the University of Houston, said prosecutors have a high bar to meet in securing criminal convictions over the police response at Robb. Gonzales' attorneys may argue that the officer was simply following Arredondo's instructions, she said.

What Recent Stories from Houston Hospitals tell us about the Questions Doctors ask Themselves

July 01, 2024 - Houston Public Media

Professor Valerie Gutmann Koch appeared on Houston Public Media commenting on some of the ethical considerations doctors often face and discusses some of the issues raised by recent stories from Houston-area hospitals.

Round Rock Shooting Suspects' Ages Could Play Role in Public Knowledge of Case

June 28, 2024 - CBS Austin

"The idea was that children are different, they need to be treated differently, and they shouldn't have that stigma of being a criminal," Ellen Marrus, a law professor at the University of Houston, said. "For some offenses, sometimes some of that information can come out once everything is settled, but the idea is to try to keep the child out of the media and out of that public eye.”

US Supreme Court Ruling on Emergency Abortions Offers no Clarity for States

June 27, 2024 - Westlaw

Laura Portuondo, a University of Houston Law Center professor who focuses on reproductive rights, said that dissenting and concurring opinions by the conservative justices signaled that the Supreme Court might be inclined to uphold the state law when it does consider it on the merits.

A Texas Pastor was Convicted of Stealing Churches. Legal Experts Explain how that Happens

June 20, 2024 - Westlaw (Houston Chronicle)

Some people may even find previously notarized documents to copy and paste the notary block — information on documents showing that a notary public has signed off on a particular document, according to University of Houston Law Center associate professor David Kwok. The copied block can look legitimate, leading the clerk's office to believe it's notarized.

Appointing Federal Judges is a Bad Idea

June 18, 2024 - Westlaw (The Daily Star, Hammond, La.)

Several business groups in Louisiana, including the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, have suggested that the state do away with the election of judges and the undue influence of campaign funds.....University of Houston law professor David Dow said it seems clear that the Supreme Court "has lost confidence in the Fifth Circuit's handling of capital cases."

New Report Shows More Texans traveling out of State to get an Abortion

June 18, 2024 - Spectrum News 1

Anti-abortion advocates are trying to implement what they call abortion trafficking bans. Legal experts say it’s not a sound argument...“Usually, the motivation for these other forms of trafficking is profit. Whereas it's a little bit difficult to see much abortion travel as being for profit purposes,” said Seth Chandler, a University of Houston professor of law.

Access to the Abortion Pill: A Victory in the Form of the Status Quo

June 17, 2024 - La Presse

“Mifepristone is widely used as an abortion pill in the United States and has become even more popular in various states that have sought to ban surgical abortions,” explains law professor Seth Chandler of the University of Houston.

Lawyers Are Often Called Upon as Leaders, But Aren't Typically Taught How to Lead Effectively

June 13, 2024 - ALM

Andrew Gratz, an associate GC and former Big Law associate, returned to his alma mater at the University of Houston Law Center as an adjunct professor to teach 'Lawyers as Leaders.' Gratz aims to utilize the expertise he's gained throughout his career working internationally to help train young lawyers to be effective leaders.

How Democrats want to address Supreme Court ethics concerns Senate

June 12, 2024 - cbsnews.com

Democrats are once again pushing for a Supreme Court ethics bill amid new revelations about several justices, including Samuel Alito. Renee Knake Jefferson, professor of law at the University of Houston Law Center, joins "America Decides" to discuss.

False Claim SCOTUS Ruled Texas SB4 Immigration Law is Constitutional in May 2024 | Fact check

June 10, 2024 - Westlaw

The federal government has been the "single voice on immigration issues" since the late 1800s, said professor Daniel Morales of the University of Houston Law Center. That was reinforced in the Supreme Court's 2012 ruling on Arizona v. U.S., which similarly sought to create state-level immigration crimes, he said.

Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit

June 03, 2024 - WalletHub

Professor Emeritus Alderman provides advice on how to improve credit scores using a credit card for bad credit.

After Conviction, Focus Shifts to Sentencing - and Appeals

June 01, 2024 - Westlaw

Sandra Guerra Thompson, a law professor at the University of Houston and a former Manhattan prosecutor, said Daniels's testimony was central to the government's case because it helped define Trump's motivation to keep her quiet before the 2016 election. "There is a lot of latitude given to prosecutors, when it's important, to prove motive or intent for an offense," Thompson said.

Texas Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Abortion Ban

May 31, 2024 - Westlaw

Pregnant Texans with severe complications likely will continue to seek abortions outside the state after the Texas Supreme Court declined to clarify when a medical emergency justifies an abortion.....The ruling places the onus largely on doctors to make decisions and fails to protect women's health as the exceptions intended, Emily Berman, a professor at the University of Houston Law Center, tells Axios.

United States: Demands Continue for Alito's Recusal from Election-Related Cases

May 31, 2024 - Westlaw

Professor Renee Knake Jefferson comments on calls for Justice Alito to step aside followed news reports that flags associated with right-wing activist groups and the effort to overturn President Joe Biden's 2020 victory over former President Donald Trump were flown outside homes owned by the associate justice's family.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gave few pardons before rushing to clear Army officer who killed a protester

May 17, 2024 - Westlaw

"Texas has one of the strongest 'Stand Your Ground' laws of self-defense that cannot be nullified by a jury or a progressive district attorney," Abbott said in his pardon statement. Yet David Kwok, director of the Criminal Justice Institute at the University of Houston Law Center, called jury nullification an important concept in justice. "That is the power of the jury to push back against the force of government," Kwok said.

Here's what to do if you have a Downed Tree after the Houston Storm

May 20, 2024 - Vable Hosted

In almost all cases, the person whose property was damaged is on the hook, according to Ryan Marquez, director of the University of Houston Law Center's Civil Practice Clinic. "Normally it’s going to be the person whose property the tree falls on," Marquez said. "If it falls on your house, it’s usually considered an 'Act of God.'"

Best Personal Loans - WalletHub editors' picks for May 2024

May 20, 2024 - WalletHub

What advice do you have for someone trying to find the best personal loans for their needs?

The “best” personal loan will depend on what you are looking for, and your personal financial situation. One of the first things you should do when looking for a personal loan is to review your credit score. This will be an important factor when the lender determines if you will receive the loan and what it will cost you. The higher your score, the easier obtaining the loan will be and the interest rate will be lower. - Richard Alderman, Professor Emeritus – Director, Center for Consumer Law – University of Houston

Anti-abortion crusader's deposition requests generate fear, but no findings

May 10, 2024 - Westlaw

Texas, however, goes much further, also allowing lawyers to depose someone for the purpose of investigating a potential claim before filing a lawsuit. This provision went largely unnoticed and unused before the judiciary revised its rules in 2000 and combined it with the more typical pre-suit deposition rule, said Lonny Hoffman, a professor at the University of Houston Law Center. "This is a very unusual animal," Hoffman said. "We're allowing people to use the court system, the coercive power of the state, to compel someone to give testimony before a lawsuit has been brought against them."

When judges get free trips to luxury resorts, disclosure is spotty

May 02, 2024 - NPR

"It also matters to the public, even if someone never shows up in a courtroom, to believe in the integrity of our judiciary and to trust in the decisions that are issued by judges," said Renee Knake Jefferson, a professor at the University of Houston Law Center. "Having disclosures of judicial financial interests goes directly to the public having confidence in the outcomes of the decisions — that they are free of any bias or influence."

Key Takeaways from Supreme Court's Historic Hearing on Presidential Immunity

April 30, 2024 - National Law Journal

Legal experts are still digesting what they heard Thursday for potential indications of how the Supreme Court might rule. "There didn't seem to be a lot of consensus," University of Houston Law Center professor Emily Berman said of the high-profile hearing . "The argument was sort of all over the place so finding common ground or language that everyone is willing to sign on to could be a challenge."

UT-Austin Protestor Arrests Raise Questions on Legitimacy

April 29, 2024 - KHOU-11 (CBS, Houston)

"You may disagree with someone who says what you may find the most offensive thing that you have ever heard. But they have the right to express that opinion," UH law professor Emily Berman said....."You can't selectively enforce regulations against protests you don't like. So if you wouldn't have shut down a protest on another issue, you can't do it with pro-Palestinian protests," Berman said.

SCOTUS Hears Arguments in Legal Test of Exceptions to State Abortion Bans

April 25, 2024 - CBS Austin

“The argument was about whether a state can restrict emergency abortions that are performed in a hospital like most hospitals, receiving Medicare dollars where the federal government has basically said that in some circumstances a hospital must perform an emergency abortion,” said Seth Chandler, who teaches law at the University of Houston Law Center.

Cardozo AELJ Author Interview Series: Aman K. Gebru - Cardozo AELJ

April 24, 2024 - Cardozo AELJ

Professor Aman Gebru, was interviewed by Aydan Urias, Staff Editor of Cardozo Arts and Entertainment Law Journal, regarding his published article, "The Piracy Paradox and Indigenous Fashion."

Copyright & Community Authors - Who Owns that Meme or Dance Craze?

April 24, 2024 - Jot Kulture, Copyright and Community Authors: Who Owns that Meme or Dance Craze

Professor Gebru was interviewed by Professor J. Janewa Osei-Tutu for Jot Kulture, Copyright and Community Authors: Who Owns that Meme or Dance Craze.

Supreme Court Hears Case on Unhoused Camping Ban

April 23, 2024 - Spectrum News (Dallas)

Professor Seth Chandler was interviewed for a segment that aired on Spectrum News (Dallas) discussing the U.S. Supreme Court case regarding bans on unhoused people sleeping outside.

Fewer Arrests, Lower Case Backlog after Harris County Bail Reform, Says Independent Monitor

April 19, 2024 - KHOU (CBS-11, Houston)

Professor Sandra Guerra Thompson is featured in the background video for this bail reform monitor update that aired on KHOU (CBS-11, Houston).

Paxton only Targets Harris County’s Guaranteed Income Program

April 19, 2024 - Houston Landing

Nearly every state has a provision like Article III, Section 52 that says public money cannot be used for private purposes, said Kellen Zale, an associate professor at the University of Houston Law Center. It was implemented, Zale said, because taxpayer money should be used for public purposes. Government spending often has a mix of benefits to public and private parties.

Arcola Council Members ask a Judge to Find Officials in Contempt

April 19, 2024 - Houston Landing

Associate professor Kellen Zale from the University of Houston Law Center said that the topic of residency is a tricky one that only a court can decide. She referenced a 1964 Texas Supreme court decision that referred to residency as an elastic term that is “extremely difficult to define.”

Proposals For Reforming Honolulu's Pay Raise Process Split On The Question Of Who Should Decide

April 17, 2024 - Westlaw (Honolulu Civil Beat)

The article reported that the Honolulu City Council is considering several different proposals, which grapple with the critical question of whether council members should be able to reject their own pay raises....."That is the big issue," said Kellen Zale, a law professor at the University of Houston. In a 2018 Stanford Law Review article, she surveyed how different U.S. municipalities handle council member compensation.

Medical Ethicist: Reason behind possible transplant tampering mysterious

April 16, 2024 - KPRC (NBC-2, Houston)

Professor Valerie Gutmann Koch was interviewed by KPRC (NBC-2, Houston). She discussed why data would be manipulated so that some Memorial Hermann patients would not receive a transplant when it seems counterintuitive.

Misleading ads no remedy for abortion ban

April 15, 2024 - Westlaw

"There is no evidence that women feel comfortable or want to give up children once they have been forced to have them," said Laura Portuondo, assistant professor at the University of Houston Law Center with expertise on reproductive rights and justice. "That's in part because giving up a child can be very traumatic. If you are thinking about this from a pro-life perspective and you can't tolerate abortion but want to do the best for women, this kind of solution is not what you would propose."

 

Confusion Continues over Texas immigration law | Here & Now

March 21, 2024 - wbur.org

Professor Morales was interviewed by Here & Now's Deepa Fernandes, discussing the Fifth Circuit's decision to block Texas' new controversial immigration law from taking effect, hours after the Supreme Court allowed the law to go forward. 

Court Puts Texas Law Allowing Police to Arrest Migrants who Cross Illegally Back on Hold

March 20, 2024 - Westlaw

Daniel Morales, an associate professor of law at the University of Houston Law Center, said the Texas law "will be a mess, very clearly, to enforce."
"It's very clear that Greg Abbott wants to enforce the law so he can get lots of photo ops and opportunities, but it's gonna take a lot of state resources to implement. And I don't know, in fact, how much appetite and capacity for that the state government actually has," Morales said. Texas will find enforcement is "difficult and taxing," he said.

Confusion in Texas after Appeals Court Blocks Border Arrest Law

March 20, 2024 - Westlaw

Daniel Morales, an associate professor of law at the University of Houston Law Center, said the Texas law "will be a mess, very clearly, to enforce".

Houston Experts Weigh in on U.S. House Passing the 'TikTok Ban' Bill

March 18, 2024 - Westlaw

"It's a bill that empowers the president in the administration to force social media companies that pose national security threats to divest or face bans from the app stores in the United States," said Nikolas Guggenberger, assistant professor at the University of Houston Law Center...

Restaurateurs at Odds over Pizza Menus

March 16, 2024 - Westlaw

Recipes are difficult to protect under intellectual property law and aren't patented, though a restaurant owner could turn to trade secret law, said Andrew Michaels, a law professor at the University of Houston.

Someone can be sued for trade secret misappropriation if they took recipes that they were told were secret and shouldn't be shared, yet they are using those recipes in their own restaurant. The plaintiff would need to prove that they took reasonable measures to keep the recipes secret. However, there's a doctrine that permits employees to take skills and experience to their next place of employment.

Migrant Law Faces Slim Odds

March 10, 2024 - Westlaw

"The court is very reluctant in this area to just let (Gov. Greg) Abbott and the rest of the GOP have their way," said Daniel Morales, an immigration law expert at the University of Houston Law Center. "There are just really serious national concerns at stake." "From a legal standpoint, it's just so obviously dangerous to let too many chefs in the kitchen," Morales said.

Frank Holcomb Obituary (1948 - 2024) - Houston, TX - Houston Chronicle - Legacy.com

March 09, 2024 - Legacy.com

He attended the University of Texas where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. A University of Houston law degree (Law Review) was followed by an LLM

Frederick Ray Casteel obituary, 1940-2024, Dallas, TX

March 10, 2024 - Legacy.com

Following Lamar, he received his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center in 1965 where he was president of the Student Bar Association.

Thomas Tharp Obituary (1958 - 2024) - Legacy Remembers

March 07, 2024 - Legacy.com

After college, Tom moved to Houston, Texas, to attend the University of Houston Law Center, graduating in 1984 and practicing insurance defense

Are AI outputs Protected Speech? No, and its a Dangerous Proposition, Legal Expert Says

March 05, 2024 - Westlaw

But Peter Salib, assistant professor of law at the University of Houston Law Center, hopes to reverse this position — he warns that AI must be properly regulated to prevent potentially catastrophic consequences. His work in this area is set to appear in the Washington University School of Law Review later this year.

Musk sues OpenAI over 'Betrayal' of Mission

March 02, 2024 - Westlaw

"If the question is, did they deviate from what they proclaim to be their mission? I would say clearly, yes," said Nikolas Guggenberger, Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center. "But that is just not necessarily a sufficient basis for a lawsuit by someone who's no longer part of the project." The suit pointed out that OpenAI still claimed to be pursuing AGI that "benefits all of humanity." "In reality, however, OpenAI Inc has been transformed into a closed-source de facto subsidiary of the largest technology company in the world: Microsoft."

Texas School did not Violate CROWN Act

February 26, 2024 - CBS News

A judge ruled that a Texas school did not violate the CROWN Act by suspending Darryl George for his hairstyle. Barbers Hill ISD removed the Black 18-year-old student from regular classes Aug. 31, stating he was not complying with the dress code. The Texas CROWN Act, which prohibits race-based hair discrimination, went into effect just one day later. Air Date: Feb 23, 2024

Ken Paxton Sues Denton ISD, Accuses Principals of 'Electioneering'

February 26, 2024 - WFAA-ABC 8 (Dallas)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Denton Independent School District, accusing two elementary school principals of electioneering by emailing their staff about the upcoming election.

Border Dispute Reignites Calls for Texas Secession

February 23, 2024 - The Daily Cougar

Last month, after the U.S. Supreme Court issued an injunction allowing the U.S. Border Patrol to cut the razor wire Texas installed along the border of Mexico. Texas has been in a standoff with the federal government regarding immigration policy decisions.

PolitiFact | Texas’ Criminal and Civil Abortion Penalties do not Apply to Women who get Abortions

February 15, 2024 - PolitiFact

Under the August 2022 law, a Texas physician who provides an abortion could be charged with a first-degree felony, which is punishable by at least five and up to 99 years in prison, and up to a $10,000 fine. A provider could also face a civil penalty of at least $100,000, the law states. But these penalties do not apply to women who undergo abortions, said Professor Seth Chandler.

Supreme Court to Decide Trump's Eligibility for Another Term

February 12, 2024 - Austin Spectrum News 1

Professor Chandler appeared as a guest on Austin Spectrum News 1 last Thursday to discuss the impending argument in Trump v. Anderson (regarding Colorado ballot disqualification).

GOP says Biden has all the Power he Needs to Control the Border. The Reality is far more Complicated

February 06, 2024 - Westlaw

Anna Cabot, immigration clinic director at the University of Houston Law Center, said reimposing Title 42 rules would require action by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and some sort of justification, like the coronavirus. Even then, it would face litigation. As for the Remain in Mexico policy and "emergency" border wall construction both would "immediately be tied up in most likely losing litigation," she said.

Houston Doesn't Have Enough Immigration Lawyers. Here's Why.

February 05, 2024 - Houston Landing

“There are a lot of lawyers who start doing immigration law and just can’t sustain it,” said Anna Cabot, director of the immigration clinic at the University of Houston Law Center.....Deborah Billy Gillis-Harry, a second-year law student at the University of Houston, was drawn to the immigration clinic because of her experience migrating from Nigeria.

Dean Developments: 2 Law Schools Appoint New Leadership, ABF Elects New Fellow

February 01, 2024 - Law.com (ALM)

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is celebrating Dean Leonard Baynes for his 10 years of leadership with the law school, releasing a report this month commemorating his accomplishments.

Public Art University of Houston System Commissions Work by Rick Lowe

February 01, 2024 - Glasstire (Texas Visual Art)

Dean Leonard Baynes remarked, “By featuring eye-opening art like The Line… we’re shedding light on issues and topics that align with the valuable lessons our students are learning in their courses and research. These artworks are mirrors sometimes reflecting societal inequities referencing what our faculty teach-knowledge, ethics, compassion, and remedies designed to make the world a better place.

Kroger, Six Flags, JetBlue Struggle for Merger Approvals that Thousands of Deals Get

January 25, 2024 - Westlaw-Dallas Morning News

Bush has co-authored a study with empirical evidence suggesting that horizontal mergers, or mergers between like businesses, are not efficient, he said. "I think there is an unhealthy amount of optimism about the benefits the mergers might bring in terms of cost savings," he said. "It is a myth, one that parties are taking to the bank as they blow merger sunshine into the eyes of judges blinded by the false notion of efficiencies."

Eagle Pass Tensions are not a 'Civil War'

January 26, 2024 - Westlaw-Austin American-Statesman

The best analogy, "given the dueling military-adjacent operations, is the Battle of Fort Sumter, which started the Civil War. That's how bellicose this action is by Gov. Abbott," Morales said, referring to the 1861 battle in which Confederate forces attacked a South Carolina base occupied by Union forces. Morales also compared Texas' stance to the resistance of Southern states with integration, which resulted in federal troops integrating some schools at gunpoint. "Abbott is using state-controlled troops to defy" federal law "in a way, that rhymes with both historical moments," Morales said.

ANALYSIS: These Seven Schools Are Rethinking How Law Is Taught

January 25, 2024 - Bloomberg Law

Every first-year law student at the University of Houston Law Center participates in 1L Legal Research Modules, a highly interactive, asynchronous, web-based series of research modules. The modules teach legal research methodologies using four evidenced-based retention strategies to optimize student learning......“Evidenced-based instruction hasn’t had a strong foothold in legal academia,” Alyson Drake, lecturer and assistant law librarian, said. “Adapting our four-step process to a scaffolded program designed for long-term retention ensures students will hold on to the skills they need to the bar exam and beyond,” Drake said.

The Year in Houston Books

January 24, 2024 - Houston Chronicle

"’Essays in Honor of Professor Stephen T. Zamora: A Life Between Mexico and the United States,’ edited by Alfonso Lopez de la Osa Escribano and James W. Skelton Jr.: The beloved Zamora was an esteemed professor of law at the University of Houston who specialized in international trade. He died unexpectedly in 2016. Here, friends, admirers and colleagues contribute 19 essays about his life.

JetBlue-Spirit Ruling Casts Uncertainty Over Airline Deals

January 21, 2024 - Law360

University of Houston Law Center professor Darren Bush said, "It is nice to see the DOJ consistently halt further degradation of competition in the airline industry," particularly after years of consolidation have resulted in "loss of service, poorer service, and in many routes, lack of choice."

Naranjo freed after serving half of a 40-year sentence

January 21, 2024 - Westlaw
January 21, 2024 - Chicago Tribune

On the other side of the argument, David Crump, a law professor at the University of Houston Law Center, said a felony murder statute is, in general, appropriate...

DOJ decried Uvalde shooting response. Will it have an impact?

January 20, 2024 - Westlaw
January 20, 2024 - WashingtonPost.com

....from lawsuits filed for compensation, said David Kwok of the University of Houston Law Center. In the Uvalde case, it will require untangling how

How to Lower Car Insurance

January 19, 2024 - WalletHub

To gain more insight about lowering car insurance premiums, WalletHub posed the following questions to a panel of experts. Richard M. Alderman, Professor Emeritus, University of Houston Law Center

 

View 2023 UHLC in the News Archive