Proposition 12: Point - Counterpoint
Introduction By Chris Watts
One
of the most controversial bills to pass the 78th Legislature
was House Bill 4 (HB 4), which seeks to limit non-economic
damages on medical civil liability lawsuits in Texas to
no more than $250,000. Now the measure goes before the people
of Texas (as Proposition 12) on September 13, 2003. A public
vote is necessary because of the required state constitutional
amendment implied by the bill. If passed, Texas would be
one of 21 states to limit judgments in medical liability
cases. The outcome of the vote will have significant ramifications
on such cases and those who practice in this field in Texas.
TYLA
does not hold an official position about Proposition 12,
but in an effort to inform young lawyers about this important
legal issue we offer the following "Point
- Counterpoint".
Featured
Local Affiliate Leader
Laura Geisler (Dallas)
By Rob Canas
Call
her a lawyer, mom, President of a bar association, or daytime
television talk show panelist. She is all of the above.
Laura Geisler has had a busy life and career since she graduated
from law school, and she is now a very successful young
lawyer in Dallas. (continued)
Feature
TYLA Project
Celebrate Freedom Week
(November 9-15, 2003)
TYLA
will be sponsoring a statewide essay contest for 8th graders
in connection with Celebrate Freedom Week.
The
Texas Legislature created Celebrate Freedom Week
in 2001 as a voluntary program for schools to educate students
about the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of
this country and the values on which this country was founded.
It is designed to specifically focus on the intent, meaning,
and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the
United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights,
in their historical context.
(more
info)
Looking
to the Future:
Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?
By Patsy Yung
Outside of an interview setting, how many people really
ponder this quintessential question? There was a time when
I had a "five year plan" laid out--after graduating
from college, which was modified after graduating law school.
Since then, my goals and priorities have continued to shift.
With my recent transition to a new firm and a new city,
I am once again asking myself "where am I going with
my life"?
For
those of you who have not thought about your long-range
plans for the future, I invite you to join me on a journey
of discovery. Where do you see yourself in the next five
plus years? To answer that question, we should look at the
following areas: (continued)
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE:
HB
4-- What You Need to Know
about the New Legislation
(Part One of Three) - By Lee Ann Reno
Just
when you thought you knew the law--or at least most of it--the
the Legislature meets and enacts House Bill 4! HB 4 contains
several articles that will affect how we practice law in
the coming months. This is the first in a three-part series
of articles that will highlight some of those changes. This
article focuses on Settlement
Offers and Proportionate Responsibility.
Constitutional
Amendments - September 13, 2003
There are 22 proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot
September 13, 2003. The Texas Legislative Council has prepared
a detailed analysis of ALL ballot
propositions.
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