Dallas Austin

Cryptocurrency is a bit of a loaded term. For some, it is a fascinating form of the future incarnate. For others, just reading the term “cryptocurrency” in an article triggers an automatic reflex to click on another story. Regardless of your comfort level, the reality is that cryptocurrency is here and trending to become more and more commonplace. Two recent examples show just how prevalent cryptocurrencies have become. Exhibit A: PayPal, one of the largest online payment systems in the world, has announced that it will be launching a cryptocurrency checkout service allowing consumers to p

The Texas Supreme Court in Los Compadres Pescadores, LLC v. Juan Valdez, et al., recently explored what constitutes a dangerous condition to an improvement to property that caused a construction work-site injury. The Court also addressed the types of evidence it found conclusive in holding a property owner vicariously liable for the acts of a 1099 independent contractor. Los Compadres Pescadores, the property owner, planned to build a 4-unit condominium building on South Padre Island. A high-voltage powerline ran about 24 feet above the back property line through an easement.  It was undisput

Traditionally, March brings the beginning of Spring. Longer days, warmer temperatures, Spring break trips and opening day at baseball parks across the county. However, in Washington DC, many celebrated Spring early with the signing of the American Rescue Plan on March 11, 2021. The $1.9 trillion legislation is the third and potentially the last installment of government intervention in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation was passed on a party-line votes and President Biden signed the bill into law, kicking off a lengthy cross-country road show extolling the virtues of the Plan.

Now that Governor Abbott has opened up the State of Texas and many businesses are re-opening, keeping employees in the know about ongoing COVID-related policies and protocols is critical. The office and/or the job site looks different than when many employees last worked there over one year ago.  Ongoing education will help maintain a safe workplace and allow employees to feel comfortable returning to the physical workplace.  Here are 3 tips for educating employees on COVID-related changes to policy or protocol while or even after your business re-opens. 1.    Consistently Review and Updat

While the Payment Protection Plan (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) have stolen the media spotlight, other financial incentives for employers to retain employees during the ongoing pandemic abound.  In the recently enacted 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, one such incentive, the employment retention credit, has received a new lease on life.  First, a brief history about the credit during the pandemic. Under the initial COVID-19 stimulus act, the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) signed into law a mere 12 months ago, eligible businesse

On March 3, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott announced that he will end Texas’ statewide mask mandate on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 and will allow all businesses to operate at full capacity. Abbott’s announcement comes nearly one year after Texas, county-by-county and city-by-city and ultimately State-wide, went into a strict lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Executive Order GA-34 memorializes Abbot’s the end of the ask mandate and rescinds most of Abbott’s earlier executive orders issued over the past 12 months to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Even with the end of the ma

On March 3, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-34 to provide that, in all counties in Texas not in an area with high hospitalizations: a.  there are no COVID-19-related operating limits for any business or other establishment; and b.  individuals are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings over the nose and mouth wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household, but no person may be required by any jurisdiction to wear or to mandate the wearing of a face covering. The Order, effective March 10, 2021, all