ADR/Mediation + Legal Tech News

By Mediator Tom King. Legal Humor Below!

Family Law is Dangerous

A Florida woman was sentenced to life in prison for a murder-for-hire shooting death of a Florida attorney after the victim divorced her sister. Never forget (1) family law is raw emotion; (2) people are idiots; and (3) if you kill someone in self defense, they can't file a grievance against you! More Info: Texas License to Carry.

New Bookmark: Texas Jurisdictions' Resources

Bookmark our new "Texas Jurisdictions" page with resources for all 254 Texas counties and 60 Texas cities. Let us know if we need to add anything to your jurisdiction's resource page.

Gadget of the Month

Here is the perfect, modern, charging solution for any laptop, phone, tablet or smart watch: the $95 Anker 727 GaNPrime Charging Station. "GaN" stands for Gallium Nitrite, a next generation charging technology.

Name This Symbol!

According to the Google Official Icon Collection, the symbol to the right is the universal icon for "Alternative Dispute Resolution" (ADR) and/or "Mediation". You'll see this in our new software beginning in October.

2022 Harris County Family Courts & Contacts Helpsheet

It is back and updated! Click here to download, share, print and laminate. Courts and Contacts, send me any corrections!

Harris County Judicial Endorsements

For the first time, I am endorsing candidates in November's Texas election. I joined attorney Greg Enos in helping defeat 280th District Judge Barbara Stalder in her primary. Yes, I'm conservative, but I proudly endorse these problem-solving 9 democrats, 8 republications regardless of affiliation.

245th: Angela Lancelin (OAG Attorney) D

246th: Angela Graves-Harrington (Incumbent; admin. judge) D

247th: Janice Berg (Incumbent) D

256th: Sandra Peake (Incumbent) D

280th: Rose Cardenas (but both candidates & friends) R

308th: Todd Frankfort (board certified) R

309th: Jesus Guillen (HC County ADA) R

310th: Sonya Health (Incumbent) D

311th: Germaine Tanner (Incumbent) D

312th: Quyen Pham (experienced family attorney) R

313th: Rachael Leal-Hudson (also Masters in Social Work) R

314th: Cindy Hide R

315th: Leah Shapiro (incumbent) D

District Attorney: Kim Ogg (Incumbent; known for 30 years)D

District Clerk: Marilyn Burgess (Incumbent)D

County Judge: Alexandra del Moral Mealer (West Point, Army, Harvard JD/MBA) R

Texas Supreme Court Place 9: Evan Young R

20 Hours Free Family Law & Mediation CLE

AVAILABLE NOW: Our free, online, on demand 24/7 Family Law & Mediation CLE is the most registered for CLE in Texas for the 3rd year in a row! It is the nation's most attended mediation CLE. Register here. Note, you must watch all of it to get 20 hours of credit, no partial credit and we audit for the State Bars. 

20 Hours Free Legal Technology CLE

COMING OCTOBER 1: Our free, online, on demand 24/7 Legal Technology CLE Webinar is North America's leading CLE webinar of modern technology for the courtroom, the office and working remotely. Register here. Note, you must watch all of it to get 20 hours of credit, no partial credit and we audit for the State Bars. 

New Partner: Paralegal.EDU

Paralegal.EDU offers live, face-to-face online paralegal certificate or degree classes that you can finish in 8 months. They also offer traditional classes in Houston weekday mornings and Saturdays. See Paralegal.edu.

Mediation Services: Tom King, J.D. 

Attorney and Mediation Law Professor Tom King offers half-day mediations weekdays 9 am, 1 pm and 6 pm for $400/party with a 92% success rate. Drive-By Mediations  weekdays at 8 am and 5 pm are $150/party. Book online and share with colleagues and courts.

Recommend Tom King to Your Court/County

Does your county need modern, affordable, cutting edge mediation? Share Tom's court appointment packet with them! It includes proof that Tom has completed the statutorily required "Family Violence Dynamics" 4-hour training for mediators hearing custody cases.

Getting Bad MSAs Thrown Out

Filing in late on a case that has already a bad custody resolution in the MSA? Subpoena the mediator for a case involving custody to prove they meet these requirements at the time of mediation! Then schedule with Tom!

Legal Humor

Joke: A man sued an airline company after it mislaid his luggage. Sadly, he lost his case.

Joke: Where there is a will there is a lawsuit!

Joke: What’s the difference between a good lawyer and a great lawyer? A good lawyer knows the law. A great lawyer knows the judge.

Joke: Things paralegals tell their attorneys: 

• It’s on the Reminder List I sent you Monday.
• It’s on the Nag list I sent you Tuesday.
• It’s on the PLEASE list I sent you Wednesday.
• It’s on the URGENT list I sent you Thursday.
• It’s on the THIS IS GOING TO BLOW UP IN YOUR FACE list I sent you Friday.

Joke: A man walked into a bar with his alligator and asked the bartender, “Do you serve lawyers here?” “Sure do,” replied the bartender. “Good,” said the man. “Give me a beer, and I’ll have a lawyer for my gator.”

THANK OUR PARNTERS

Thank these partners who underwrite all our FREE resources and CLE events:

1. Brazilco Litigation Services
2. Brubaker & Associates property appraisals
3. Children 4 Tomorrow: Supervised Visitation
4. Co-Parenting Into the Future court accepted, bilingual co-parenting course
5. DocHub
6. J. Richard Claywell, CPA - Biz-Valuation.com
7. Kane Title, LLC
8. National Screening Centers
9. Our Family Wizard
10. QDRO Services, Inc.
11. Paralegals Connect
12. Soberlink
13. The Mortgage Institute