Tort reform in Texas has made it critical for plaintiffs to ensure that all threshold requirements are met before filing lawsuits against certain professionals. Failure to comply with certain conditions precedent may have dire consequences. Texas law requires a plaintiff to file a certificate of merit contemporaneously with a lawsuit against certain licensed or registered […]
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Foreclosing on the Landlord’s Contractual Lien
Almost all Texas commercial leases include a section that provides a Texas landlord with a lien on the tenant’s fixtures and personal property. Often, these contractual liens are overlooked by both landlords and tenants until there is a default by the tenant. The below is an example of pertinent language from a typical landlord’s lien […]
Read more...Texas Non Competes for Doctors
Non compete agreements for all types and ranks of employees have become common place in Texas. Physicians have not escaped this trend and are routinely expected to sign non competition agreements before accepting many positions in private practice. Non compete agreements in Texas must meet certain general requirements to be enforceable; however, additional requirements exist […]
Read more...Forfeitures and Terminations of Texas Business Entities
Many businesses in the State of Texas form entities. Whether a business is a registered partnership, a limited liability company, or a corporation, an entity may lose its ability to do business in Texas if an entity is involuntarily forfeited or voluntarily terminated. This article will discuss the law surrounding forfeitures and terminations as well […]
Read more...The Effect of Merger and No Reliance Clauses on Fraud Claims in Texas
Written contracts are intended to memorialize the understanding between parties, and it is important to accurately document each parties’ promises and intentions in a contract. However, sometimes the recitations and representations in a contract may not accurately represent what actually occurred in the negotiation and formation process. For example, common sense would tell us that […]
Read more...Recovering Attorney’s Fees in Texas
A common concern among litigants is whether attorney’s fees are recoverable from the other party. While it is reasonable to assume the prevailing party will be awarded attorney’s fees, it is not always the case. In most lawsuits, each party assumes their own attorney’s fees unless otherwise provided under the law. In this article, we […]
Read more...Effects of Not Having an Operating Agreement for a Texas Limited Liability Company
Filing a certificate of formation with the Texas Secretary of State is the first step to creating a limited liability company (LLC). A certificate of formation generally only provides the name of the LLC, names of members or managers, principal place of business, and purpose of the business. A certificate of formation does not include […]
Read more...Recovering Attorney’s Fees Against an LLC
Can a Person Recover Attorney’s Fees Against an LLC for Breach of Contract in Texas? It might surprise you to know that until recently, the answer was “yes.” Chapter 38 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code (“Chapter 38”), states that “a person may recover reasonable attorney’s fees from an individual or corporation, in […]
Read more...Suit on Sworn Account
A suit on a sworn account is a procedural tool, as opposed to a cause of action, that allows a party to recover under certain types of accounts. The claim must be brought pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 185 and establishes a prima facie right of recovery for the plaintiff. See Williams v. […]
Read more...Entity Formations for TX Small Businesses FAQ
Our firm receives numerous requests from small business owners desiring to form an entity to continue or commence business operations. Some of the frequently asked questions our firm receives are listed below. 1) What are the advantages of forming a LLC or corporation entity as opposed to operating as a sole proprietor or partnership? The […]
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