Law firms are typically based on tradition. They are not usually on the cutting edge of technology. In fact, for most people the image of a successful attorney is one sitting behind a broad, sturdy, century-old desk, with a wall of law books as the backdrop. But the...
Texas Municipal Law Blog
What is a heritage preservation commission?
Many cities across the nation have commissions of passionate and subject-matter educated residents who participate in their city's Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC). Cities across Texas have these bodies. The aim is to protect and promote the architecture and...
Ethics guidelines for Texas officials
The performance of public officials comes under routine scrutiny in Texas. When assessing the work of an official, ethics laws become the central measuring stick. Everyone who receives a public-service role has a responsibility to the public they serve. Ethics is...
What do city planners do?
Picture this. You're at a cocktail party. You are pushing the filberts around your glass with your straw. Someone strikes up a conversation with you. You, as is requisite, ask them what they do. "Oh, I'm a city planner," they say. What comes to mind? More than just...
7 facts about mayors we bet you didn’t know
As we enter the holiday season, and days grow dark, we turn our attention to things that bring light. You may find trivia appealing. As a municipal law firm, we are also interested in all things government. For your reading pleasure, we submit some mayoral trivia. Who...
What is the difference between a town being incorporated or unincorporated?
When it comes to municipalities, not everyone understands the difference between a town or area being incorporated or unincorporated. So, what's the difference? The three types of general law municipalities Towns (larger than villages and smaller than cities) are...
How COVID-19 has affected city planning
After nearly two years we have become all too familiar with the impact of the pandemic on our families, workplaces, worship communities and social lives. But what changes will cities make to how they use and designate space now that the world has experienced a...
Does the 3-minute rule violate First Amendment rights?
Recently community members and activists in Texas and in other states such as California have questioned whether the three-minute rule at public hearings is a violation of their First Amendment right. Currently residents are allowed to voice their concerns and...
Can I give a job to my relative in Texas?
Hiring a relative can seem like a simple way to ensure you work with someone you know and trust. However, there are limits on giving a job to your relatives, or nepotism, in Texas. If you work for certain government entities or are an elected official, know that there...
Texas county and city at odds over prisoner housing costs
If you drive 85 miles east of Houston, you’ll find yourself in the City of Beaumont, the seat of Jefferson County. The city and the county are in a long-running feud over the fees charged by the county to house prisoners. Dispute headed to court Five years ago,...
