This episode covers the new Texas Business Court and then addresses the business of law, from starting your own law firm to branding to firm breakups.

“We’ve Only Just Begun”: Texas’s New Business Court
Natasha Breaux of Haynes Boone covers everything Texas Business Lawyers need to know about our new Business Court.

“You Can Go Your Own Way”: Transitioning from BigLaw to Owning Your Own Practice
Michael Cancienne·or Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne discusses the transition from being a partner at a large international law firm to owning one's own firm, addressing both the challenging and rewarding aspects.

“Pumped Up Kicks”: The Sneaker Lawyer’s On-Point Branding
Jonathan Jackson of J. Jackson Law Offices is known as the "Sneaker Lawyer." Jonathan talks about how he came up with this branding and why it's important for one's brand to be authentic.

“Breaking Up Is Hard to Do”: But These Tips Will Help
Pete Patterson of Patterson P.C. covers practical legal issues that can arise when law partners break up, how to avoid these issues from the get go, and how to deal with them if they do arise to minimize any disruptions to serving your clients’ legal needs.

For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.

In this episode, we escape the summer heat of Houston to explore out-of-the-box places and ways to practice law. Listeners will hear about combatting sex trafficking in Kenya, living in Puerto Vallarta while virtually practicing law in Houston, and engaging in immersive travel without interrupting service to one’s clients in Houston.

Segment 1:
There’s No Place Like Home (in Kenya): Combatting Sex Trafficking in Africa

Anna Swanson, who is now practicing in Houston, completed her work last year as the Manager of Security, Investigations, and Law Enforcement Development at International Justice Mission’s (“IJM”) field office in Mombasa, Kenya. In that position, Anna worked with government officials and law enforcement entities in different countries to train officials to use equipment and online investigation tools essential to investigate tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children digital world of evidence so that the evidence they obtained would be admissible in court. Anna discusses the types of child trafficking crimes in Kenya and how the court system there deals with defendants accused of such crimes. She also addresses the importance of collaboration and partnerships in achieving international legal goals – in this case protecting children. She also goes into some of the complexities of digital evidence and how the IJM and its partners were able to educate investigators, prosecutors, and even courts in Kenya on its use.

Segment 2:
You Had Me at Hola! (in Puerto Vallarta): Practicing Law in Texas While Living Abroad

Nikita Lamar of Lamar Legal Group (https://www.lamarlegalgroup.com/about-6) joins us from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She has an almost fully virtual law practice as a Houston lawyer living elsewhere. Nikita discusses why attorneys sometimes need to pivot, such as burnout. She also addresses the logistics of changing a firm's practice model to permit moving the practice out of the country, such as necessary changes to client engagement letters, and she talks about what lawyers moving abroad need to consider with regard to Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct 1.03 and 1.05. And, she touches on the importance of exploring Digital Nomad laws and tax implications of the locations you are considering and getting the advice of a tax professional before making a move. Nikita has started an online group called “Esquires Abroad” for lawyers who have virtual practices and live abroad (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12974315).

Segment 3:
Adventure is Out There: Enjoying Geographic Freedom While Maintaining a Successful Law Practice

Arati Bhattacharya of AB Law (https://ab-firm.com/meet-the-team/) talks with new Behind-the-Lines interviewer Rinku Ray about how Arati structured her firm so that her family can engage in immersive travel experiences while she maintains a successful legal practice in Houston. Arati provides pointers and encouragement for lawyers who would like to take control of their lives and legal practices but may be afraid to do so.

HBA members are eligible for 0.75 hr. CLE credit (0.25 ethics) for listening to the 1st 2 segments. See The Houston Lawyer Committee page on the HBA website for details.

For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.

This episode corresponds with the Bill of Rights issue of The Houston Lawyer magazine. It addresses several of the rights in the “bright constellation of rights,” including free speech, bearing arms, protection from unlawful search and seizure, and jury trials. Houston lawyers, academics, and a jury consultant tackle issues associated with these rights.

Segments One and Two: Second Amendment

Professor Josh Blackman of South Texas College of Law Houston and Professor Martin Levy of Thurgood Marshall School of Law provide different academic perspectives on the historical background of the Second Amendment and recent and upcoming cases that interpret the right and the history related to it.

Segment Three: First Amendment

Randy Hiroshige of the Texas Civil Rights project discusses a case involving the First Amendment that is currently being played out in Houston: Food Not Bombs v. City of Houston. It is an ongoing case, and this interview provides the plaintiff’s perspective. The City of Houston did not respond to a request for comment.

BTL Interviewer Rachael Thompson is the interviewer on this segment.

Segment Four: Fourth Amendment

Laisha Harris, and Assistant Public Defender in the Felony Trial Division of the Harris County Public Defender’s Office, discusses how technology and artificial intelligence impact the rights secured by the Fourth Amendment.

Segment Five: Jury Trial

Dr. Samantha Holmes of Edge Litigation Consulting, LLC, provides insight into the right to a jury trial from a jury consultant, data scientist, and social psychologist’s perspective. Dr. Holmes also provides some data from her ongoing research relating to the public’s perception of our judicial system.

This is the final episode of Season Four of Behind the Lines: The Houston Lawyer Podcast. Thanks so much to our guests, the Editorial Board of The Houston Lawyer magazine, and the Houston Bar Association staff for their work and support throughout the season. And congratulations to our outgoing Editor in Chief, Liz Malpass, and our incoming Editor in Chief, Andrew Pearce. Talk to you soon – in Season Five!

For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).
*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.