Litigation

Super Blogging Not For Sissies

Posted on November 16, 2009
There's amateur blogging, there's pro blogging and then there's  'super blogging.'  Here at AngelReyesBlog.com, when a news article comes out about a dangerous product, 18-wheeler accident or even an award I've won, I blog about it.  But for the Super Bloggers, blogging takes on a whole new meaning...

Injured By Imports, Chapter 2

Posted on November 09, 2009
Just over a week ago I blogged about a dangerous imported product for children – a baby bassinet that allegedly killed two infants.  Now the nightmare continues with a stroller that amputates fingertips.  And where do you suppose it was manufactured?  You guessed it – China...

Car Seat Safety in Texas

Posted on November 09, 2009
This past September, 2009, Texas enacted new rules that relate to car safety seats.  Let's begin with the rules.  Who needs to be in a car seat?  In Texas, all children younger than 8 years old must be in a child safety or booster seat, unless, the child is taller than four feet, nine inches...

2009 Winner, GDHC Award

Posted on November 03, 2009
For some, it comes easy to boast one's own accomplishments. For others, it's difficult to even accept a compliment. For me, a fact's a fact. And the fact is, I am the 2009 Winner of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Quality & Excellence Entrepreneur Pacesetter Award...

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2009 Winner, GDHCC Award

Posted on November 03, 2009
For some, it comes easy to boast one's own accomplishments. For others, it's difficult to even accept a compliment. For me, a fact's a fact. And the fact is, I am the 2009 Winner of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Quality & Excellence Entrepreneur Pacesetter Award...

Death by Imports Continues. Baby Bassinet is Latest Killer.

Posted on October 30, 2009
I've written a great deal about dangerous products that have resulted in numerous injuries and deaths. It's no surprise that most of these products were imported from foreign countries such as China and India, where manufacturing is cheap, but safety standards are lax...

Stephen Zack: First Hispanic American As President-elect of the American Bar Association

Posted on October 14, 2009
Miami lawyer Stephen Zack is now president-elect of the American Bar Association.  He'll serve in this capacity for one year, and become official president in August 2010.  Zack holds the honor of being the first Hispanic American to be elected to this prestigious position, and I congratulate Mr...

Interview today at 3:30 CST

Posted on October 06, 2009
Listen in as my partner Luis Bartolomei interviews the first Hispanic President of the American Bar Association on the Legal Broadcast Network, 3:30 CST.

Starting a Firm? Pick a Practice and Find Your Niche.

Posted on October 05, 2009
Recently I wrote an article for Texas Lawyer, which published on September 28, entitled "Starting a Firm? Pick a Practice and Find Your Niche". I hope that it will be helpful to all young firms just starting out. A PDF of the article is available by clicking here.

Lessons From Letterman

Posted on October 04, 2009
By now, everyone knows David Letterman, the gap-toothed sage of late night TV, had sex with a bunch of his underlings. Surprised? Don't be, Hollywood is full of sycophants who use the casting couch to get "somewhere". Is Letterman's job in jeopardy - hardly - he's a ratings machine in a world where ratings are falling faster than ever...

Putting the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber's House back in Order

Posted on September 24, 2009
Over the past several months, much has been said in the media about problems and even irregularities at the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ('GDHCC'). As with every story, there are two sides. The current Board, on which I serve as Vice-Chair, has taken a pro-active approach to rebuilding our house on a stronger foundation...

Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Still Has No CEO

Posted on September 24, 2009
The Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce has delayed hiring a chief executive officer since former CEO Cici Rojas left us in April.  Please read my interview with Sheryl Jean of the Dallas Morning News below: Dallas Hispanic chamber delays hiring a new CEO 10:40 PM CDT on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 By SHERYL JEAN / The Dallas Morning News The Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce took key steps Wednesday to address its five months of leadership turmoil, but the nonprofit business group probably will remain without a chief executive into early next year...

My WFAA Interview on Garage Sale Recalls

Posted on September 24, 2009
Please view the link below for my Friday interview on the WFAA news segment regarding the liability of people selling recalled items in garage sales:

Transit Wins Over Even the Goldwater Institute

Posted on September 21, 2009
Twenty-five years ago, the citizens of Dallas were presented with an audacious public spending plan. Bear in mind, that Dallas isn't Los Angeles or Boston. Dallas is deeply conservative and absolutely anti-tax. The audacious spending plan was the creation of one of Texas's largest public agencies, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Agency ('DART')...

Author Argues Guys Vs. Men

Posted on September 21, 2009
In yesterday's New York Times, Cathleen Calbert urged women to "Forget the men. Pick a guy." Guys are often in between things like jobs and houses, which means they're more likely to stay up with you all night, drinking wine and playing gin rummy...

Feds Cracking Down on Resale of Recalled Goods

Posted on September 18, 2009
If you're planning to hold or shop at a garage sale, you should be aware that the federal government is watching. A new federal law makes it a crime to sell items that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled. The Commission has sent staffers out to make sure the bigger thrift stores know about it, but the same law applies to individual sellers...

Outlook on the Metroplex Economy

Posted on September 14, 2009
I was quoted in the following Dallas Morning News article: Business leaders worry about national economy but optimistic for Dallas-Fort Worth Cheryl Hall, Dallas Morning News - September 12, 2009 D-FW business leaders are tiptoeing into the fourth quarter...

Angel Reyes Recognized as Super Lawyer for 2009

Posted on September 02, 2009
By Luis Bartolomei   I'm proud to announce that my partner, Angel Reyes, was voted by his peers through the Texas Monthly magazine survey as one of the 'Super Lawyers' in the State of Texas for 2009. Angel was recognized for business litigation. The selection process for this honor is extensive...

Why There Are No Yale Law School Grads at Skadden Arps

Posted on August 31, 2009
Nearly 2 years ago, I wrote about the cost of law school and whether or not it mattered whether you went to a highly ranked law school when it came time to landing a job. That was before the world turned upside down and the U.S. skidded into an ongoing 2 year recession...

Oh How the Mighty Have Fallen

Posted on August 30, 2009
A recent Wall Street Journal article noted that Cerberus Capital Management, LP is literally facing a run on its funds. Clients withdrew more than $5.5B or 71% of the hedge fund's assets. Stephen Feinberg named his fund Cerberus because it was the name of a mythical three-headed dog that guarded the gates of Hades...

Slain model's car found in grocery store lot

Posted on August 28, 2009
In an ever present development, I bring you new news of the double death of Jasmine Fiore and Ryan Jenkins. LA County sheriffs noted a Mercedes that matched the description of Fiore's vehicle. Fiore's vehicle was a white 2007 Mercedes CL 500 worth mid thirties...

Update on Murder Suspect

Posted on August 24, 2009
The reality TV contestant, Ryan Jenkins, accused of cutting the fingers off and pulling the teeth out of his wife/victim, Jasmine Fiore, was found hanged in an apparent suicide near Vancouver, Canada. That probably closes our story about how Ms. Fiore was identified through the serial numbers on her breast implants...

Jenkins Brought Down By What Took Him In??

Posted on August 23, 2009
??Ryan Alexander Jenkins seemed to live a charmed life. He was a wealthy reality show contestant who appeared in Megan Wants a Millionaire. He has a dark and handsome look and Canadian citizenship - you can never underestimate the value of a second passport...

Cato Institute Comes Out in Favor Of Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Posted on August 21, 2009
For those readers who aren't familiar with the Cato Institute, here is its mission statement: 'The mission of the Cato Institute is to increase the understanding of public policies based on the principles of limited government, free markets, individual liberty, and peace...

Dranger Capital Management's Trading Strategy In Full Swing

Posted on August 20, 2009
Investors this week used the options markets in an effort to protect against a market sell off.  As our readers know, Dranger Capital Management ("DCM"), has been way out in front of this trading strategy as evidenced by its #2 ranking on Barclays...

Dranger Capital Management Strategy

Posted on August 19, 2009
I recently came across an article that bears directly on our trading strategy here at Dranger Capital Management (DCM).  As many readers know, our strategy remains bearish on S&P 500 with both short and medium term holding periods. The strategy follows some basic market principals and incorporates the VIX and overbought/oversold indicators to accomplish above-market returns with little more risk than market risk...

Thank God for REAL Investment Opportunities!

Posted on August 17, 2009
Dear Readers, If you're like me, you've been wondering when we'll claw out of this "repression" and move into better financial positions.  What with the stock markets still 30% off their highs from a year ago and housing still down over 30% from 2007 highs, what's to feel good about?  I suppose if you have your health, or better yet, health insurance, that is some solace...

The Cuban Revolution Webcast

Posted on August 14, 2009
Please check out my interview with Brian Cuban on his webcast, The Cuban Revolution:

Television: Same Old Song, Different Verse.

Posted on August 06, 2009
'I bought a bourgeois house in the Hollywood hills With a truckload of hundred thousand dollar bills. Man came by to hook up my cable TV. We settled in for the night my baby and me. We switched 'round and 'round 'til half-past dawn. There was fifty-seven channels and nothin' on...

18 Wheeler Wreaks Havoc in North Texas

Posted on August 04, 2009
Another hot summer day and another tragedy on Texas highways. Today's Dallas Morning News reports that an 18 wheeler driven by James Crayton of Dallas, apparently never slowed and rear-ended Anthony and Kimberly Brandon's vehicle, causing it to explode on impact, killing them both...

Little Information Given About Solo Law Practice Run by Sotomayor in the '80s

Posted on July 08, 2009
Yesterday's NYTimes article, title above, brings to mind a myriad of thoughts. At first blush, it seems that Sotomayor was helping people on the side of her regular gig at the Manhattan DA's office and then at Pavia & Harcourt. In order to fully understand Sotomayor's position, it is necessary to parse her words carefully...

My New Firm Featured in the Dallas Morning News

Posted on July 06, 2009
Here is a recent Dallas Morning News article about my new firm, Reyes Bartolomei Browne. Please read below: Dallas law firms traveling a softer road than many national offices 09:34 AM CDT on Monday, July 6, 2009 By ERIC TORBENSON / The Dallas Morning News While a painful recession has forced many big law firms nationwide to downsize, Dallas' law practices have dodged most of the bullets and are changing their tactics to fire back when the economy rebounds...

18-Wheeler Collision in Carrollton

Posted on June 25, 2009
The following is an article from one of my firm's partners, Spencer P. Browne: A tragic fiery collision occurred today, June 24, 2009 in Carrollton, Texas on southbound I-35E near President George Bush Turnpike.  According to television and Dallas Morning News reports, an 18-wheeler struck two cars that were parked on the shoulder...

Noted Dallas Attorneys Form New Partnership

Posted on June 16, 2009
Announcing the formation of Reyes Bartolomei Browne, effective June 15, 2009. Angel Reyes, Luis Bartolomei, Ryan Browne and Spencer Browne bring an impressive history of success and experience to the firm. At Reyes Bartolomei Browne, practice areas will include all manner of life-altering personal injury cases and business litigation...

My Orlando Sentinel Article

Posted on June 04, 2009
Below is the June 4, 2009 article I wrote for the Orlando Sentinel in its 'Hispanosphere' section on the growing Hispanic population and the plight of Hispanic workers in this country. Attorney: Why are Hispanics 'last in, first out' of jobs? Guest Writer: Angel Reyes Orlando Sentinel June 4, 2009 Angel Reyes is an attorney, Hispanic immigration expert and author of Hispanic Heresy: What is the Impact of America's Largest Group of Immigrants? (Mead Publishing, January 2009) He is the founder and managing partner of Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei law firm in Dallas, Texas...

My interview on the Michael Hart Radio Show

Posted on June 01, 2009
On Saturday, May 30th I was interviewed on the Michael Hart Show on 101.1 FM in Birmingham, AL.  The topic of the interview was how Sonia Sotomayor's appointment to the Supreme Court could affect issues like immigration in the U.S., and our perceptions of Hispanics in general...

Obama Nominates Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court

Posted on May 26, 2009
This historic moment in American jurisprudence is long overdue. In nominating a female Hispanic to the nation's highest Court, President Barack Obama made a smart move on all counts. Sonia Sotomayor has exceptional credentials and vast experience as a prosecutor, corporate attorney and judge on the federal trial and appellate courts...

Angel Reyes Recognized as Super Lawyer for 2009

Posted on May 20, 2009
By Luis Bartolomei   I'm proud to say that my partner, Angel Reyes, was voted by his peers through the Texas Monthly magazine survey as one of the 'Super Lawyers' in the State of Texas for 2009. The selection process for this honor is extensive. Peer nominations, evaluations and third party research evaluate each candidate on 12 indicators of peer recognition and personal achievement...

Legal Broadcasting Network Videos on Immigration

Posted on May 18, 2009
The following videos were posted to the Legal Broadcasting Network.  The first two are interviews with my law firm partner, Luis Bartolomei.  Please take a moment to view this important information on current immigration issues:   Interviews with Luis Bartolomei: English | Spanish   Interview with Kristina Campbell of MALDEF: English

My Houston Chronicle Blog Post

Posted on May 13, 2009
The following is my blog post to the Houston Chronicle published in its featured 'Immigration Chronicles.' Flu, border violence may poison immigration debate May 13, 2009 Houston Chronicle Because of the swine flu scare, an airline passenger is checked by a doctor after arriving in Mexico City recently...

Swine Flu Frenzy

Posted on May 09, 2009
The Mexican government began shutting down schools-not just in Mexico City, but in places like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta too; and then bars, clubs and restaurants followed. I am beyond baffled when airlines from Canada cancelled all incoming flights and all cruise lines were diverted from Mexico...

Justice Souter Departs The Supreme Court

Posted on May 04, 2009
By any measure, Justice David Souter was an anomaly. Appointed by George H. W. Bush to the Supreme Court, ever since, conservative Republicans have cried "No more Souters."   Surprisingly, Justice Souter spent 19 years as a Supreme Court Justice and, to the consternation of right wing Republicans, often voted his conscience...

Fantasy Vs. Reality: Buying Property In Other Countries

Posted on April 30, 2009
Well, well, it seems some countries are making it easier to buy property. Let's look at the reality, since I'm a practical guy and most of my readers are practical as well.   Let's see, Oil Nut Bay, in the BVI, is now willing to take a $2 million dollar deposit up to a $25 million dollar deposit for lots...

Cambria Investment Management & The Ivy Portfolio

Posted on April 29, 2009
On April 15, I posted a blog entry entitled "What You Can Do To Make Money In Any Market."  In that entry, I disclosed that I'm an investor with Cambria Investment Management, and posted a Businessweek review about the book, The Ivy Portfolio...

Free-Trade Agreement With Panama Is Critical

Posted on April 28, 2009
Since 1900, the country of Panama has been a vital part of our country's free trade. We should not let a small band of self-interested activists derail the free trade agreement we need to strike with Panama. I hope my former Mayor, Ron Kirk, can navigate the shoals and ensure that we don't lose the free trade agreement with Panama...

Hispanic Heresy Featured in The Dallas Morning News

Posted on April 27, 2009
Over the weekend, Dallas Morning News contributor, Mercedes Olivera wrote a short piece on my new book, Hispanic Heresy. I've been fortunate to garner national attention regarding the issues put forth in my book and I'm pleased to see local media covering an issue that impacts Dallas as largely as any city in the nation...

Dallas Hispanic PAC's Choice for City Council, District 13 - Ann Margolin

Posted on April 24, 2009
As I mentioned in an entry last week, I recently chaired the Dallas Hispanic PAC meeting where many Dallas City Council candidates explained their positions and asked for our support. You can see the full list of candidates we're supporting on my 4/21 blog entry but I'd like to take a moment to elaborate on the Dallas Hispanic PAC's choice for City Council, District 13 – Ann Margolin...

Check out Cambria Investment Management

Posted on April 23, 2009
The Ivy Portfolio author, Mebane Faber, my money manager, is featured on CNBC today.  Check out Cambria Investment Management, Inc. Terrific money managers, or go with one of the wire houses and lose another 30% next year, your call. CLICK HERE to view the CNBC video.

The Latest On Shoulder Pain Pump Lawsuits

Posted on April 22, 2009
I was quoted in the following article published on Lawsuit.com about PAGCL (Post-arthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis) resulting from the use of shoulder pain pumps: Shoulder Pain Pump Lawsuits: Motion to Consolidate Due to High Volume original article here Lawsuits...

Dallas City Council Candidates Chosen By Hispanic Political Action Committee

Posted on April 21, 2009
I chaired the Hispanic Political Action Committee meeting last Thursday, where several Dallas City Council candidates sat on the hot seat and explained to us why we should support them. The following are the organization's choices for endorsement:   Incumbents: Steve Salazar, District 6 Pauline Medrano, District 2 Dwaine Caraway, District 4 Shefie Kadane, District 9 Jerry R...

What You Can Do To Make Money In Any Market

Posted on April 15, 2009
The markets and economy have whipsawed just about everyone this year. I've written plenty about unemployment, especially Hispanic unemployment. Not much positive news to report today, nor since I reported back in 2007 that no one would miss the various subprime lenders, all of whom have gone kaput...

Reglan Gets A Blackbox Warning

Posted on April 14, 2009
On February 26, 2009, the FDA required the manufacturers of metoclopramide-containing drugs such as Reglan to include a black-boxed warning (the strongest warning available) to their drug labels about the risk of the long-term or high-dose use. Chronic use of metoclopramide has been linked to tardive dyskinesia, which may include involuntary and repetitive movements of the body, even after the drugs are no longer taken...

Op-ed Article on the Plight of Hispanic Workers

Posted on April 13, 2009
Below is an op-ed article I wrote on unemployment and Hispanic workers: Closing the Unemployment Gap: Hispanic Workers Need Help The Hispanic population in the United States has been growing substantially in recent years, providing businesses with burgeoning workforces - but Hispanic workers in America are in trouble...

Another Fentanyl Fatality

Posted on April 09, 2009
At some point Johnson & Johnson, ALZA Corp., Janssen Pharmaceutica, Sandoz, Mylan, and Watson will come to their senses and stop prescribing these death patches. See article below. 2 years after student's death, SMU bans fraternity from holding parties By SAMANTHA URBAN / The Dallas Morning News Tuesday, April 7, 2009 Two years after an SMU student died from an overdose at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house, the university has acknowledged that drug use at the fraternity was not limited to that isolated incident and issued SAE a $5,000 fine...

Authors see Hispanic boom as plus

Posted on March 16, 2009
Please read the following article about my new book, Hispanic Heresy, posted in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, and in HispanicBusiness.com: Tech authors see Hispanic boom as plus By Marlena Hartz AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Sunday, March 15, 2009 Those who cast the nation's projected Hispanic population boom as a roadblock should take a closer look, according to three Texas Tech scholars...

Bogus Studies on Painkiller Benefits

Posted on March 12, 2009
Well, wouldn't you know it. Another bought and paid for "scientist" has been outed for producing fabricated studies related to several of the bad drugs the FDA, under the Bush administration, approved.  Let's see, Dr. Scott Reuben retracted 21 studies in which he lied about the efficacy of the drugs he was supposed to be evaluating...

Texas Tech University Articles on My New Book

Posted on March 10, 2009
Please read the articles below, featured on March 10, 2009 in Texas Tech Today and Texas Tech University News. Texas Tech Today March 10, 2009 Hispanic Immigration: Facts versus Fallacies, Clarifying America's Opportunity Three Rawls College of Business professionals address the booming Hispanic population in the U...

U.S. Supreme Court Sides with Plaintiff in Seminal Federal Pre-Emption Battle

Posted on March 05, 2009

Angel Reyes featured in Latino Leaders Magazine

Posted on March 03, 2009

Pills & Patches - The American Painkiller Scourge

Posted on February 11, 2009
According to the FDA, in 2007 alone, U.S. pharmacies dealt out 21 million prescriptions for 24 different opioid painkiller meds, which are used by 3.7 million Americans. So 3.7 million Americans are in such excruciating pain, they have to be on opioid medication, one of the most powerful and addictive classes of drugs there is...

Life Settlements Replace Life Savings

Posted on February 09, 2009
With our current economic crisis, many seniors are left with their retirement funds greatly depleted and in some instances, wiped out. And those expensive Universal Life and Whole Life policies they invested in come with some hefty premiums they no longer can afford to make...

The FDA's Newest Spin on Darvon

Posted on February 03, 2009
Here’s how Merriam Webster’s Learning Dictionary defines the cliché, spin your wheels: to stay in the same condition or position without making progress.  Here’s how I define spin your wheels:  Food and Drug Administration...

Thinking about immigration

Posted on January 27, 2009
Posted on TexParte Blog (http://texaslawyer.typepad.com/): Dallas lawyer Angel L. Reyes III says policy makers need to start thinking about how the immigration of Hispanics to the United States impacts socio-economics. So Reyes and two business professors at Texas Tech University wrote a book on that topic published in December 2008...

Obama's Stand On Estate Tax

Posted on January 14, 2009
A few years ago I wrote about the "Death Tax" and how the Republican party framed the issue so adroitly.  Think about it, who wants to pay "death taxes?"  Oddly enough, many Americans, with hardly any net worth at all to worry about, were in favor of repealing the death tax...

More and More Hispanics Lose Their Homes

Posted on January 09, 2009
My co-authors of the book, Hispanic Heresy, and I are quoted in the following article, which reveals how Hispanic homeowners have been greatly affected by our current mortgage crisis.  The article also references the devastating impact to Hispanics during an economic downturn...

Healon D Recall

Posted on January 07, 2009
The following article was authored by a friend of mine, Mark Zamora. You can read more from Mark on his blog at www.aGeorgiaLawyer.com. On Friday, January 2, 2009, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a Class I recall of lot no. UD30654 of Healon D, an ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) manufactured by Advanced Medical Optics Inc...

Johnson & Johnson and Duragesic - When Will the Killing End?

Posted on January 02, 2009
As reported by me many times over the past few years, my firm has been working on hundreds of Duragesic pain patch wrongful death cases.  The cases involve leaking and defective patches manufactured by Johnson & Johnson's subsidiaries, ALZA and Janssen Pharmaceutica...

Johnson & Johnson and Duragesic - When Will the Dangers End?

Posted on January 02, 2009
As reported by me many times over the past few years, my firm has been working on hundreds of Duragesic pain patch wrongful death cases.  The cases involve leaking and defective patches manufactured by Johnson & Johnson's subsidiaries, ALZA and Janssen Pharmaceutica...

Hispanic Heresy

Posted on December 24, 2008
Please check out my new book, Hispanic Heresy, through Mead Publishing by clicking here.

Medtronic's Infuse Product is Bad to the Bone

Posted on December 03, 2008
You may remember the 2007 Medtronic recall of its heart defibrillator leads due to reports of at least five patient deaths.  Now Medtronic makes the news again with its Infuse Bone Graft. Shirley Nisbet, a California woman died after neck surgery, allegedly due to the use of Infuse, which is only FDA approved for spine surgery requiring a frontal approach to the lower backbone, called the lumbar spine...

Recent Event Photos

Posted on December 03, 2008
Angel Reyes at Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce (GDAACC) Annual Awards Banquet, 11-08           Dallas City Councilwoman Pauline Medrano and Angel Reyes at Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Quality & Excellence Entrepreneur Awards Gala, 11-08         Angel Reyes delivering keynote speech at the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Quality & Excellence Entrepreneur Awards Gala, 11-08         President of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Cici Rojas and Angel Reyes

Hispanic Heresy

Posted on December 01, 2008
Please check out my new book, Hispanic Heresy, by clicking here.

Help Low-Income Families Through The United Way

Posted on November 21, 2008
I proudly support the United Way, and hope that you might do so as well. The Dallas/Fort Worth area United Way is seeking volunteers to help low-income families receive their maximum tax refund possible. This tax-refund program can amount to an average of $2,000 per family, which is a tremendous help in these tough economic times...

$16.5 Million in Duragesic Fentanyl Verdict

Posted on November 21, 2008
The Duragesic death saga continues.  On November 17, 2008, my law firm, Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei, achieved a $16,560,000 verdict for the family of a Cicero, Illinois woman who died while wearing a Duragesic fentanyl transdermal pain patch...

Glaxo Glosses Over Avandia Risks

Posted on November 20, 2008
Big Pharma shows its true colors yet again.  Despite numerous complaints from doctors about the risk of heart attacks from taking the diabetes drug, Avandia, the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, continued to sweep overwhelming evidence under the carpet...

In Products Liability Cases, Let the Plaintiff Beware

Posted on November 18, 2008
There’s a strong argument, if not outright war, over the latest restatement of liability for product design cases.  This restatement basically absolves manufacturers from liability for defects unless plaintiffs can prove a reasonable alternative design...

HORP&B Fentanyl Pain Patch Case

Posted on November 14, 2008
If you’ve been following this blog for long, chances are you know my firm has been the leading firm in the nation when it comes to pursuing the manufacturers of faulty fentanyl pain patches that have caused the deaths of innocent victims.  In June of last year, we obtained a $5...

Commercial Market Meltdown

Posted on November 05, 2008
Once upon a time, if you had a commercial loan with a bank and you didn't like the interest rate or other facet of your loan, all you had to do was move to another bank.  But as I said, that was once upon a time, although not so long ago. Remember the financial woes of the 80s?  Well, it's déjà vu in spades...

Commercial Market Meltdown©

Posted on November 05, 2008
Once upon a time, if you had a commercial loan with a bank and you didn't like the interest rate or other facet of your loan, all you had to do was move to another bank.  But as I said, that was once upon a time, although not so long ago. Remember the financial woes of the 80s?  Well, it's déjà vu in spades...

You Mean Off-road Vehicles Cause Death? Duh.

Posted on November 04, 2008
When it comes to government regulatory agencies, here’s my question:  What, if anything, do they actually DO?  As the Wall Street Journal article below mentions, until there are numerous problems, usually involving deaths and resulting lawsuits, many products go unnoticed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission...

Hispanic Workers at Cutting Edge of Recession

Posted on October 30, 2008
Lewis Beale of Miller-McCune Magazine recently interviewed me along with my co-author, Dr. Bradley Ewing about a recent paper we wrote which was published in the in the Journal of Business Valuation and Economic Loss Analysis.  Our research found that Latino unemployment is 2/3 higher than that of whites and if the current economic downswing continues, so will this staggering trend...

HORP&B Chicago Case against Makers of the Duragesic Pain Patch

Posted on October 30, 2008
Hours after a Sanford, Florida jury awarded $13.3 million to the family of a 34-year-old woman who died while wearing a Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch, my firm, Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei began trial in a Chicago state court jury on behalf of the family of Janice Dicosola of Cicero, Illinois...

Fentanyl Brings a Patch of Lawsuits

Posted on October 30, 2008
A Sanford, Florida jury awarded $13.3 million to the family of 34-year-old Susan Susan Hodgemire, who died from the Duragesic Pain Patch just days after undergoing back surgery.  Hours after this verdict was returned, my firm, Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei, began its case against the manufacturers of Duragesic on behalf of the family of Janice Dicosolo of Chicago, who also died while wearing the Duragesic patch...

Bayer Bucks the System

Posted on October 30, 2008
Big Pharma’s dirty pool tactics don’t just extend to prescription drugs.  Bayer has some nerve in marketing two over-the-counter products without the FDA’s approval. Of course, in countless cases that approval means absolutely nothing, given the plethora of drugs that have been recalled years after the FDA’s blessings...

Hispanic Workforce Hit Harder During Economic Downturns

Posted on October 09, 2008
A study I co-authored was recently published by Texas Tech researchers finds that Hispanic workers are at higher risk during economic downturms, suffer negative effects sooner and more severely, and for longer duration than their white counterparts.I believe strategic policy action could reverse this trend...

$1.5 Million Verdict for 18-Wheeler Accident

Posted on October 02, 2008
I'm proud to announce that my law firm, Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei, has achieved a $1.5 million verdict for our clients, Ronny Martinez and Kenneth O’Neal, as compensation for injuries they received in an 18-wheeler accident that occurred on Interstate 35E in Waxahachie on July 2, 2006...

FDA Stands for "Freaking Doesn't Act."

Posted on September 30, 2008
We’ve all been brainwashed to perceive the FDA as the great and powerful government Oz keeping us safe from harmful food, drugs and medical products.  In reality, the folks at this organization do very little to monitor what’s being bought and sold in this country...

Study regarding non-English speakers in the courtroom

Posted on September 23, 2008
I recently co-authored a study of courtroom bias against non-English speakers.  Please read the National Law Journal's article about the study below: Non-English speakers may face bias in the courtroom Small study of personal injury cases shows a tilt...

AIG's Comeuppance

Posted on September 22, 2008
For 15 years my firm and the lawyers who work here have represented executives, business owners, and individuals seeking money damages for the wrongful conduct of others. Many times the claims we make are covered by insurance bought by insureds specifically to cover the event that underlies our lawsuit...

Crane Safety Rules To Be Stricter

Posted on September 19, 2008
Finally Congress acts to require crane operators to pass a certification test.  This is the first baby step regulating cranes in over four decades. Yes, you heard  right  -  four decades! See the full article below: Feds to release new crane operator rules Associated Press Published Friday, September 19, 2008 WASHINGTON - The federal government is to announce it will require crane operators nationwide to pass a certification test in its first update of crane regulations in nearly four decades, officials said Thursday...

Dallas Hispanic Bar Association Scholarships

Posted on September 03, 2008
The Dallas Hispanic Bar Association will award a dozen Latino students attending various Texas law schools between $1,500 and $2,000 at its annual scholarship fundraising banquet to be held on September 17 at the Belo Mansion.  I am deeply honored to be among the list of individuals for whom these scholarships will be named after...

Hitachi Class Action Lawsuit Filed by HORP&B

Posted on August 28, 2008
Partner Eric D. Pearson and Attorney John W. Pate, with my law firm Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei, have filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of plaintiff Anthony Partida and others against Hitachi America, Ltd., Hitachi Electronics Devices (USA), Inc...

Merck's Vioxx Study: Sewing the Seeds of Deception

Posted on August 19, 2008
A lot has been written about big pharmaceutical companies and the devastating aftermath caused by their dangerous drugs unleashed in this country.  Unfortunately there hasn't been nearly enough press about the deplorable tactics employed by these companies to put profits over people...

Merck's Vioxx Study: Sowing the Seeds of Deception

Posted on August 19, 2008
A lot has been written about big pharmaceutical companies and the devastating aftermath caused by their dangerous drugs unleashed in this country.  Unfortunately there hasn't been nearly enough press about the deplorable tactics employed by these companies to put profits over people...

Update on Sherman Bus Crash

Posted on August 15, 2008
There has been a lot of publicity about the devastating Sherman, Texas bus crash that happened Friday, August 8, killing 17 people and injuring dozens of others.  The Vietnamese Catholic group was headed to Carthage, Missouri to attend an annual religious festival, and sadly, their lives changed forever on the tragic journey...

Putting the Brakes on Bus Accidents

Posted on August 14, 2008
I recently wrote about the tragic Sherman bus crash that occurred last Friday.   Now we can add two other major bus crashes to the list.  On Thursday, August 7th, a bus carrying workers to a casino in Primm, Nevada drove off a freeway, crashed into a guardrail and caught fire...

Sherman Bus Crash on Friday

Posted on August 11, 2008
My heart goes out to the victims and families of the tragic bus crash that occurred in Sherman yesterday, killing at least 16 people to date and injuring dozens of others.  The bus carried 55 members of a Vietnamese Catholic group on its way from Houston to Carthage, Missouri for an annual religious festival...

Law Quadrangle Notes Interview

Posted on August 08, 2008
I recently had the privilege of being interviewed for an article in the 2008issue of the Law Quadrangle Notes published by my alma mater, the Universityof Michigan Law School. The article is below: Law Quadrangle NotesThe University of Michigan Law SchoolVolume 50, Number 2 | SUMMER 2008The language of the LawDiversity, an often elusive goal for many law firms, comes in many forms...

2008 DiversityFIRSTTM Award Winner

Posted on August 07, 2008
I am honored to be named by the Texas Diversity Council as a winner of the 2008 DiversityFIRSTTM Award.  The purpose of this award is to "recognize and celebrate outstanding accomplishments and sustained commitment by an Individual, Community Organization, Business, Corporation and/or Non-Profit Group in the area of promoting appreciation for diversity, inclusion, and cultural understanding in the workplace that fits within the stated purposes and reflects the goals and/or mission of the Texas Diversity Council...

Angel Reyes Recognized as Emerging Hispanic Leader in Dallas

Posted on August 06, 2008
Angel Reyes has been recognized as an emerging Hispanic leader in Dallas.  The article below is from the Spanish language version of the Dallas Morning News, Al Dia. Ángel Reyes, ayudar lo motiva08:52 AM CDT on Wednesday, August 6, 2008Por THALIA I...

Losses Due To ARS Market Disintegration

Posted on August 05, 2008
Over the past few months, the Auction Rate Securities (ARS) markets have suffered a $350 billion market disintegration. Many companies have been forced to write-down their losses due to investments in ARS. The February 2008 collapse of the ARS market affected companies of all sizes and levels of ARS investment...

Car Safety Advocate's Plea For Preventing Children's Hyperthermia Deaths

Posted on August 05, 2008
The following are a letter from Janette Fennell, Founder and President of KidsandCars.org, and the KidsandCars.org newsletter. It’s astounding how many children have been killed as a result of non-traffic accidents this year.  I can’t fathom how anyone could leave their children in a hot car on a smoldering summer day, but apparently these accidents are still prevalent in this country...

Update on Pharmaceutical Giant, Actavis Totowa LLC

Posted on August 05, 2008
I recently posted an article about the Actavis Totowa LLC recall of the drug Digitek, the #1 choice in the United States for treating congestive heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms.  This recall included Digitek tablets manufactured at the New Jersey Actavis facility because tablets may have been commercially released in the U...

Democrats Take A Stand On Crane Safety

Posted on August 05, 2008
The recent crane accident scourge sweeping the country has finally made the government take notice.  The Democrats are now strongly urging OSHA to do something about the gross lack of safety regulations of construction site cranes.  Read the July 25, 2008 Wall Street Journal article on this topic in its entirety below:   Democrats Seek Tougher Crane Safety Standard as Deaths Mount By KRIS MAHER July 25, 2008; Page A3 Crane-related fatalities continued to mount, with six deaths in the past week, prompting Democrats in Congress to push for an enhanced federal safety standard and put more pressure on the agency charged with overseeing workplace safety...

Car Safety Advocate's Plea For Preventing Children's Hyperthermia Deaths

Posted on August 04, 2008
The following are a letter from Janette Fennell, Founder and President of KidsandCars.org, and the KidsandCars.org newsletter. It’s astounding how many children have been killed as a result of non-traffic accidents this year.  I can’t fathom how anyone could leave their children in a hot car on a smoldering summer day, but apparently these accidents are still prevalent in this country...

Update on Pharmaceutical Giant, Actavis Totowa LLC

Posted on August 04, 2008
I recently posted an article about the Actavis Totowa LLC recall of the drug Digitek, the #1 choice in the United States for treating congestive heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms.  This recall included Digitek tablets manufactured at the New Jersey Actavis facility because tablets may have been commercially released in the U...

Democrats Take A Stand On Crane Safety

Posted on August 04, 2008
The recent crane accident scourge sweeping the country has finally made the government take notice.  The Democrats are now strongly urging OSHA to do something about the gross lack of safety regulations of construction site cranes.  Read the July 25, 2008 Wall Street Journal article on this topic in its entirety below:  Democrats Seek Tougher Crane Safety Standard as Deaths MountBy KRIS MAHERJuly 25, 2008; Page A3 Crane-related fatalities continued to mount, with six deaths in the past week, prompting Democrats in Congress to push for an enhanced federal safety standard and put more pressure on the agency charged with overseeing workplace safety...

Long Overdue Crane Safety (Aug 2 NY Times op ed)

Posted on August 04, 2008
Regulators should turn their attention to preventing casualties, not more after-the-disaster analysis.  Think about it, not since 1971 have crane regulations been updated.  Unfortunately, over 80 people a year since then have died in construction site crane accidents...

The American Crane Collapse Crisis

Posted on July 31, 2008
On July 30, 2008, while an old bridge was being torn down over the Colorado River in Smithville, Texas (near Austin) a construction crane became overloaded with steel beams and toppled over.  The crane then smashed into a manlift basket holding two workers...

We Need A Comprehensive Solution For Our Nation's Immigration Policy

Posted on July 30, 2008
Following the December 12, 2007 raid on the Swift & Company meatpacking plant, my firm, Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei, filed a class action lawsuit against Swift for its pattern of practice of replacing legal US Citizens and legal resident aliens with undocumented immigrant workers...

Better Living Through Chemistry? Dead Wrong!

Posted on July 29, 2008
According to a CNN.com article dated Monday, July 28, 2008, home deaths from medication errors have risen dramatically over the last 20 years.  Twenty-five years ago, prescription painkillers and other potent drugs were only used in hospitals.  Now medical providers give them out like candy...

Dangerous Toxins Found in Toys

Posted on July 29, 2008
After eight long years in the wilderness, the U.S. is finally paying attention to product safety.  Congress is poised to implement the biggest overhaul to U.S. product safety rules in a generation.  Since 2000, the U.S. has seen dangerous products imported from China, India, and other foreign countries that while certainly cheaper than similar products made to stricter standards, caused untold suffering to the people who were injured by these products...

Digitek (digoxin) Dosage, Symptoms and Recall

Posted on July 25, 2008
My firm, Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei, is currently handling Digitek cases.  Digitek (digoxin) is the #1 choice for treating congestive heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms in the United States...

Dangerous Truckers Claim Disability Yet Drive Anyway

Posted on July 22, 2008
A new study by the Federal Government showed that tractor-trailer and bus drivers in the U.S. suffered seizures, heart attacks or unconscious spells while driving.  These health issues caused hundreds of deadly crashes on our highways.  Many tractor-trailer rigs weigh 40 tons or more...

It's Not Too Late to Take Advantage of Spin Life Policies - An Update:

Posted on June 25, 2008
If you are a senior sitting on a life insurance policy that you no longer need, or better yet, a senior with a decent net worth and a need for cash, then get on the ball and look into spin life policies ASAP.  I say ASAP because the window may be closing, the insurance companies who write these policies are about to get into the business of buying them back themselves! The new acronym to know is STOLI...

Brian Cuban Blogs "Why Athletes Go Broke"

Posted on June 18, 2008
Aside from being the brother of Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks' owner, Brian Cuban is a good friend of mine and a maintains and interesting blog at www.briancuban.com. Brian blogs about sports, politics, history and about anything else that interests him...

Pfizer Propaganda About Chantix

Posted on May 30, 2008
In spite of the fact that the stop-smoking drug Chantix has been linked to suicides, seizures, violent episodes, traffic accidents, nightmares and more – and was EVEN banned by the FAA for pilots and air traffic controllers -  its manufacturer, Pfizer, plans to shove these shocking facts under the carpet through newspaper ads and letters to doctors...

Hispanic Role Model's Name Being Considered For Renaming Industrial Boulevard

Posted on May 27, 2008
The Dallas City Council’s Trinity River committee is looking to rename Industrial Boulevard.  César Chávez, an altruistic farm worker is on the short list of names.  As I said in an article from the May 24, 2008 edition of the Dallas Morning News, in eight years, the Dallas Hispanic population will become the majority...

Chantix Going Up In Smoke

Posted on May 23, 2008
And yet here comes another drug with way too many bugs.  Granted, smoking is bad news and I’m all for quitting at most costs, but not all. If my choices are hacking, smoker’s cough and future lung cancer vs. current depression, thoughts of suicide, violent behavior, horrible nightmares and loss of motor control skills that could lead to serious or even fatal injury, I think I’d rather smoke like a chimney and hope for the best...

United Way Outlines Ambitious 10 Year Goals Around High School

Posted on May 19, 2008
For a couple of years now I've been blogging about problems.  Subprime meltdown, dangerous drugs, defective products, toothless FDA, toothless FTC, wrongheaded immigration policies, etc.  Fortunately, at times, I am able to write about solutions...

Surge in U.S. Hispanic Population

Posted on May 19, 2008
Breaking news: the Hispanic population in America is surging. Yes, I'm being sarcastic. Funny enough, when I was younger, I just couldn't imagine a day when this type of headline would make the Wall Street Journal. Remember, I was the kid who actually thought about changing my name when I moved to the U...

Dangerous Heart Surgery Drug Trasylol Now Under Special Use Agreement

Posted on May 15, 2008
Following a study published in the May 14, 2008 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, Bayer Pharmaceuticals informed the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) of their plan to remove all remaining supplies of Trasylol (aprotinin injection) from hospital pharmacies and warehouses...

VIDEO: Angel Reyes on Legal Marketing

Posted on April 29, 2008
Nationally renown trial lawyer Angel Reyes joins LBN's Rick Kuykendall to discuss an items of interest to trial lawyers, and that is the plan and approach to developing a mass tort practice out of their offices in Dallas, TX. This was part of a CLE sponsored by LBN and presented by the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association and the full video CLE with credit hours is available by contacting WTLA in Cheyenne, WY...

VIDEO: Angel Reyes & Jim Orr on 2007 Duragesic Fentanyl Patch Verdict

Posted on April 29, 2008
Attorney's Angel Reyes and Jim Orr join Jan Schlichtmann of the Legal Broadcast Network while at the recent CLE event in Scottsdale, AZ put on by the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association. Learn a bit more about the legal team that won the largest Duragesic Patch verdict in 2007 and how their firm approaches mass tort litigation...

Serving Others through the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

Posted on April 29, 2008
The United Way is an incredible organization, and I'm honored to announce my recent election as a member of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2008.The following mission statement and vision  of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas sum up why I'm so excited to be a part of this fine organization: "Our Mission - To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities...

Angel Reyes Appointed to DART Board of Directors

Posted on April 28, 2008
I’ve always felt that it’s not enough just to live and work in a city, that we all have a responsibility to get involved and do things for the greater good. That’s why I’ve been proud to work with organizations such as the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association and other such groups...

Swift Was Swift To Hire Refugees After Raid

Posted on April 22, 2008
The class action lawsuit my firm, Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei filed against Swift Meatpacking accuses Swift of their pattern of practice of replacing legal US Citizens and legal resident aliens with undocumented immigrant workers.  This lawsuit made national headlines and was featured on numerous radio and television broadcasts for several months...

TXI's Safety Policy is "No Safety"

Posted on April 12, 2008
For years my law firm has battled TXI Corp over its safety policies. In fact, my firm Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei achieved a $24 miilion jury verdict against TXI for the wrongful death of a man killed in an explosion at a TXI facility in Midlothian, Texas...

Attorney Jim Orr Featured on the Legal Broadcast Network

Posted on March 27, 2008
James (Jim) Orr, a partner in my firm, Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei, is a frequent guest and contributor to the Legal Broadcast Network, a website that uses blogging, video and audio podcasting to provide commentary for attorneys.  As of this date, Jim is featured in an article and podcast on the homepage of this site for his expertise on fentanyl, a dangerous opioid pain medication that is 100 times stronger than morphine, and is used during surgery for anesthesia...

Adding Insult to Injury

Posted on March 10, 2008
Those who fake injuries, caused by the wrongful conduct of others, make it much harder for those with legitimate claims to get the medical care and compensation they deserve. But in the case below cited in the Dallas Business Journal, it isn’t the individual making the false claim, it’s the caregiver!  Allegedly, according to the Allstate Insurance petition, this chiropractic organization solicited and coerced individuals into getting treatment for auto accident injuries they may not have sustained...

Insurance Company Tactics Now Off the Scale

Posted on March 07, 2008
Now big insurance companies are using something called the Fake Bad Scale to expose “malingerers” who supposedly fake injury to obtain money.  The test is so flawed that just about anyone with a legitimate injury can score as a malingerer...

They DO Have Some Crazy Little Women in Kansas City!

Posted on March 07, 2008
As a follow-up to my original article on Kansas City, Kansas, aka “The Dot,” below is another great article by Kevin Helliker from the Wall Street Journal.  It’s a fascinating tale of Toby Phalen Young, one of the Dot’s most high profile, non-profit citizens...

KCK, The Dot... Has it Really Made Good?

Posted on February 25, 2008
I woke up today and opened my Wall Street Journal.  I read the WSJ front to back; that means I read the main section, then Marketplace, Money & Investing, and then Personal Journal, in that order.  When I finally got to the Personal Journal section, there was an article entitled "Hometown Makes Good" by Kevin Helliker (available if you are a WSJ...

Big Brother Pharma Wins Again

Posted on February 22, 2008
In a crushing blow to consumers, on Thursday, February 21st, the United States Supreme Court again sided with big pharmaceutical medical device makers.  The decision in Reidel v. Medtronic shields medical devices from lawsuits so long as the FDA approved the device...

Words of Thanks

Posted on February 21, 2008
My law firm, Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei has received numerous letters of thanks from clients.  We greatly appreciate all of our clients, and we thank them in return for their business and continued loyalty in allowing our firm to represent them...

Video: Angel and Jim Orr on 2007 Duragesic Patch Verdict

Posted on February 21, 2008

Be Careful What You Sue For

Posted on February 18, 2008
As you'll see from the press release below, when you treat people unfairly in business, justice will ultimately be served.  Our legal system is not perfect and never will be, but juries do know right from wrong when they see it. Whether in your personal or business life, your word is your word; it doesn’t matter if it's in writing...

Fentanyl Painkiller Patches Recalled

Posted on February 12, 2008
In several of my articles, I’ve talked about the dangers of the Duragesic Pain Patch containing the prescription painkiller, fentanyl. The Duragesic Patch, which is approximately 80 times more powerful than morphine, certainly does kill pain, but unfortunately, it also kills people...

Election to the Board of Directors of the GDHCC.

Posted on February 06, 2008
I'm proud to announce my election to the Board of Directors of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.  The mission statement of the GDHCC is as follows:  "To develop, promote and protect Hispanic businesses in the greater Dallas area and to support the advancement, education and economic growth of the Hispanic business community...

The Real Story on Real Estate Agents

Posted on February 05, 2008
A novel legal theory aimed at making real estate agents take their fiduciary duties more seriously is making its way through the California courts.  The plaintiff, Ms. Marty Ummel, sued her real estate agent, Mike Little, a veteran with ReMaxAssociates in San Diego...

OG Nation and HORP&B Join Forces

Posted on February 05, 2008
 We all know that mud slinging is modus operandi when it comes to politics.  But in the corporate world, “mud bombing” is the more appropriate term.   For some reason, our society has deemed that honesty and fairness are virtues in one’s personal life, but that in the boardrooms of even the largest and most respected corporations, it’s no holds barred when it comes to allegations and outright lies...

Dallas Attorney Eric Pearson Now a Name Partner in Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei

Posted on January 23, 2008
Dallas Attorney Eric Pearson Now a Name Partner in Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei DALLAS - The Dallas law firm of Heygood, Orr, Reyes & Bartolomei is pleased to announce the addition of accomplished Dallas trial lawyer Eric D. Pearson as a name partner in the newly renamed Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei...

Can Access to Credit Cure the Recession Worry Blues?

Posted on January 16, 2008
2008 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for the U.S. “It's the economy, stupid,” will be repeated by every man and woman running for President, or for that matter, local librarian.  So, what can the politicians do to help out the regular Bobs in this country? How about letting manufacturers and retailers open their own financial institutions?  Why?  Because in 2008, the U...

Investors Limited in Suing for Fraud

Posted on January 16, 2008
The Supreme Court just slammed the door on investor lawsuits that target secondary actors such as banks, law firms, and accounting firms that allegedly assist a company brought down by corporate fraud.  That means investors will not be able to recover any money from the advisors to corporate frauds that melt their investments like ice cream in August on a Dallas sidewalk...

The class action we filed against Swift Meatpacking

Posted on January 08, 2008
The class action we filed against Swift Meatpacking survived the defendant's motion to dismiss.  Below is a recent article that details some of what was going on at the various Swift Meatpacking plants before we filed our case. Illegals and business: A glimpse of the future?Feds’ fierce probe of meatpacker Swift seen an ominous sign for employersBy Susan Berfieldupdated 5:43 p...

Technology and the Art of Persuasion

Posted on January 08, 2008
By: Eric Pearson and Angel Reyes At the most basic level, a trial lawyer's job is to persuade.  Whether the audience is a judge during a summary judgment hearing, opposing counsel across a table at mediation or a jury listening to an opening statement, the job of a trial lawyer is to persuade someone of a legal or factual position...

What's the Matter With Farmers Branch...Again?

Posted on January 02, 2008
Here’s another look at Tim O'Hare and an update to my December 2006, article entitled "What's the Matter with Farmers Branch?" Well, it has finally come to pass, Tim O'Hare of Farmers Branch is throwing his hat in the ring for Mayor of Farmers Branch...

Second Safety Warning on Fentanyl Skin Patch

Posted on December 27, 2007
The FDA has now issued its second safety warning regarding the Fentanyl Skin Patch, a patch that delivers pain medication through the skin that is at least 80 times more potent than morphine.  With all the severe side effects, and even deaths caused by this patch, what is it going to take before the manufacturer finally recalls this dangerous drug from the market?Please see the official warning from the U...

Seth Tobias, R.I.P.

Posted on December 05, 2007
The latest breaking news in the hedge fund world is the salacious story of Seth Tobias' death. Seth ran a $300 million hedge fund from New York and Palm Beach. The fund was called Circle T. Just a few years ago, Seth started his hedge fund with a modest $4 million in capital...

Spin Life Policies - a $30 Billion Market

Posted on December 04, 2007
After several years of remaining in the shadows, spin life policies are now squarely in the limelight.  Larry King, a multi-millionaire CNN television talk show host has filed a lawsuit against Alan Meltzer, the insurance broker that sold him the policy...

Dickie, Say It Ain't So!

Posted on December 04, 2007
The inspiration for John Grisham's "King of Torts" book and famous Alabama trial lawyer Dickie Scruggs was indicted for allegedly bribing a judge with a $50,000 payoff. Dickie got famous for bringing big tobacco to its collective knees in the 1990s...

Medtronics Pacemaker Recall

Posted on December 03, 2007
Last year, defibrillator manufacturer Medtronic, Inc. issued a press release warning physicians of a potential battery shorting mechanism that may occur in some of its models. Now, Medtronic is recalling its Sprint Fidelis cardiac leads. These are thin wires that connect devices known as ICDs (implantable cardioverter defibrillators) or CRT-Ds (cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators) which are intended to sense irregular heart rhythms and to send an electrical pulse to the heart to shock it into beating properly...

Big Business Big Winner in Court Rulings

Posted on November 26, 2007
I had the privilege of being interviewed by Eric Torbenson of the Dallas Morning News about a discussion held at a continuing education event called the Bench Bar Conference, which was hosted by the Dallas Bar Association. This discussion was on whether the Texas Supreme Court now favors corporate defendants in court rulings...

Forget Fair; It's Litigation As Usual

Posted on November 19, 2007
Today's (11.17.07) New York Times article by Joe Nocera "Forget Fair; It's Litigation As Usual," explores the world of mass tort litigation. Nocera is no friend of the everyman and is cynical about private lawyers policing big pharmaceutical companies in the form of "mass tort" actions...

TIA... This is (My) Africa

Posted on November 15, 2007
UPDATE: Well, the pictures are finally in. They're scattered through out this entry, so please check them out. For a larger view, just click the picture. The words Leo DeCaprio spoke in Blood Diamond ring in my head.  My friends all tell me to be safe...

Merck Agreement to Resolve U.S. VIOXX® Product Liability Lawsuits

Posted on November 09, 2007
Big news hit this morning as VIOXX manufacturer, Merck agreed to resolve 95% of the outstanding VIOXX claims with a $4.85 BILLION settlement fund.  The fund will be established and victims will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with varying amounts being paid from the fund...

Merck to Pay $4.85 Billion To Settle Most Vioxx Cases

Posted on November 09, 2007
In a very significant announcement today, Merck has released that it will agree to pay about $4.85 billion to settle a significant portion of the 27,000 cases against it's painkiller Vioxx. A Wallstreet Journal article is below. Not everyone is eligible and we are working on analyzing the proposal and how it applies...

Trasylol Pulled from U.S. Market

Posted on November 05, 2007
For almost two years, Trasylol, a drug used to prevent blood loss during surgery was under scrutiny by the FDA.  In fact, on February, 2006, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory warning doctors who perform heart bypass surgery and their patients that Trasylol (generic name aprotinin) was linked in two scientific studies to severe side effects, including kidney problems, heart attacks and strokes in patients undergoing artery bypass graft surgery...

Tire Recalls

Posted on November 01, 2007
Today’s Wall Street Journal cites the dangers of tire recalls.  Consumers need to know that just because you go to the dealership and discover that your specific serial number tires haven't been recalled, you should consider changing them anyway...

Want To Go To Law School?

Posted on October 31, 2007
It appears that all is not lost on the law school front.  As a follow-up to my article about why there are no University of Houston law graduates at Cravath, Swain & Moore, I wanted to pass along a recent Wall Street Journal article.  The article contains some great advice for folks considering what law school to attend...

Safety vs. Savings on Consumer Products

Posted on October 30, 2007
One of my previous blog articles reported on the safety hazards of toys manufactured in China.  Now, Congress is finally perking up its ears and evaluating the inefficacy and inefficiency of the Consumer Product Safety Commission in regard to the safety of imported goods...

Too Many Followers, Not Enough Leaders.

Posted on October 30, 2007
On Monday, October 30th, I had the distinct honor and privilege of speaking at the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament.  There are some who would consider the content of this speech as liberal, while others would view it as conservative, depending on which side of the fence you’re on...

Medtronic Defibrillator Recalled

Posted on October 30, 2007
In its October 30th, ’07 issue, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Sprint Fidelis 6949 defibrillator, manufactured by Medtronic, Inc. has been recalled.  Defibrillators are implanted devices that treat cardiac arrest and restore normal heart rhythm...

FDA Update On Trasylol

Posted on October 26, 2007
On Thursday, October 25th, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that Trasylol, a drug used during heart bypass surgery to prevent severe bleeding, increases the risk of death as compared to other drugs.The FDA’s announcement was based on a Canadian study that compared Trasylol’s effectiveness and safety with two other drugs...