By JD Reed – Most Americans are aware that interest rates started to dramatically rise commencing in March 2022. Regardless, Texas’ post-judgment and pre-judgment interest rate on judgment awards remained at five percent (5.00%), until now. The New Interest Increase Takes Effect August 1, 2023 On July 19, 2023, the Consumer Credit Commissioner of Texas …
By Ron Holmes 1, a Member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States – At the end of June, the Supreme Court announced decisions related to race-based college admissions, student debt relief, and several other topics. The following is an apolitical summary of the Court’s holding and reasoning for three of …
By Vishal J. Patel – When forming a new entity, business owners are often keen on the idea of forming a Limited Liability Company (“LLC”). With its limited liability for owners, pass-through of income and flexibility to choose method of taxation – it’s the most ideal choice for new business owners. Benefits to LLCs electing …
By Taylor Bell – While workers are major assets to a business, they can also become major liabilities. To mitigate risks, businesses often rely on non-compete agreements, non-disclosure agreements, non-solicitation agreements, and confidentiality agreements. However, the permissible scope of these agreements is limited by state laws, and courts often view them skeptically. In recent years, …
By Sean Scribner – As anyone who has attempted to obtain discovery from an out-of-state (foreign) individual or entity can attest, navigating the process can be a daunting, cumbersome endeavor. However, if the state from where the discovery is being sought has adopted the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (the “UIDDA”) the process will …
By: Taylor Bell – Until 2010, residential builders were subject to the Texas Residential Construction Commission Act, which required them to provide various statutory warranties to new home buyers. But the Act expired on September 1, 2009 and the governing agency, the Texas Residential Construction Commission, was abolished. Therefore, beginning in 2010, residential builders were …
by Austin Gilleland – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) slashed interest rates to stimulate a stifled economy. The near-zero interest rates have contributed to a booming housing market that will be a chief concern for the Fed through 2022 as it fights to curb inflation. Impending Rate Hikes …
by Ron Holmes and Austin Gilleland – You might be surprised to learn that Crowdfunding offers yet another avenue to raise equity for commercial real estate transactions. We think of Crowdfunding as something Millennials do to raise money for pet projects (think of GoFundMe). Not so. The Securities Act of 1933 permits an issuer to …
By: Taylor Bell – From executive orders to federal agency rules and Supreme Court decisions, the United States is in no short supply of popcorn-worthy drama regarding the enforceability of vaccine mandates. Right now, we know blanket vaccine mandates will fail, but targeted vaccine mandates to healthcare industries will likely prevail. A Brief Snapshot The …
by Ron Holmes and Riley Wilson – Recently, President Biden announced his COVID-19 Action Plan to combat the virus and its effects, one aspect of which directs the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to create a rule requiring employers with 100 or more employees to mandate COVID-19 vaccines or be subjected to weekly testing (the …