Texas

East Texas Officer Wins $21.35 Million in Wrongful Termination Suit After Retaliation by City Officials

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QUITMAN, Texas — A former police captain in East Texas has won a staggering $21.35 million lawsuit against local officials, who a jury found had wrongfully terminated him and retaliated against him after he exercised his First Amendment rights. Terry Bevill, the ex-police captain from Quitman, had filed the lawsuit following his controversial dismissal in 2017. Bevill was terminated from the Quitman Police Department after he submitted an affidavit requesting a venue change for a colleague’s trial, citing potential local bias. The affidavit, filed as a private citizen, became the center of a whirlwind case … Read more

Appeals Court Ousts Judge and Cancels Fines in Texas Foster Care Lawsuit, Sparking Debates Over System Reform Efforts

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Austin, Texas — In a significant legal reversal, a federal appeals court on Friday annulled millions of dollars in fines that had been imposed on Texas’ troubled child-welfare agency and also ordered the removal of the judge who has been managing a protracted lawsuit concerning the state’s foster care system. This development casts doubt on the continuity of a legal battle that has spanned over a decade, advocating for the rights of children under state care. The lawsuit in question represents some 9,000 children and has accused the Texas foster care system of failing to … Read more

Texas Student Denied Court Protection Over School’s Dreadlock Ban, Despite Ongoing Legal Battle Over Hair Discrimination

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HOUSTON — A Texas judge has refused to grant an injunction that would have allowed a Black student, who has been disciplined for his hairstyle, to return to his high school without facing further penalties. Darryl George, 19, has been embroiled with the authorities of Barbers Hill High School since last year over his dreadlocks, which the school claims violate its dress code. The school’s dress code stipulates hair must not fall “below the top of a T-shirt collar, below the eyebrows, or below the ear lobes when let down.” George has chosen not to … Read more

DLA Piper Strengthens Texas Team with High-Profile Tort Litigator from King & Spalding

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Austin, Texas — DLA Piper has recently bolstered its Austin office by recruiting a well-regarded product liability and mass torts specialist from King & Spalding, marking another significant shift in Texas’ dynamic legal market. This move is part of a broader trend of lateral hires among top law firms in the region, signaling a competitive push to enhance legal expertise in key practice areas. The newly acquired expert, whose extensive background in handling complex litigation cases will be put to full use at DLA Piper, underscores the firm’s strategic intent to deepen its bench strength … Read more