Extension of Payroll Tax Cut
On February 22, 2012, President Obama signed into law a bill that extends the payroll tax cut for the rest of the year. The roughly $143 billion payroll tax cut has reduced how much American workers pay into Social Security … Read More
Unemployment Claims In Cases Where You Have Given a Severance Package
The question goes something like this – “But we gave them a severance package, why do we have to pay unemployment?” The answer to this question is one that employers hate – because there is no such thing as waiving … Read More
What About My Dog’s Immigration Paperwork?
During Underwood’s recent visit to Denmark, we had the had the pleasure of sitting in the kitchen of several families and engaging in discussions about prospective plans to immigrate to the United States to start up new dairy farms. For … Read More
Gavin Gadberry to Present at Upcoming AHLA Seminar
Gavin Gadberry, a shareholder with the Underwood Law Firm, will be presenting at the American Health Lawyers Association – Long Term Care and the Law Seminar. The seminar will be held in Phoenix, AZ on February 27-29, 2012. Mr. Gadberry … Read More
Guidance for Taking Advantage of 15 Percent Deferral Rule on EOCs
On February 17, 2012, Commissioner of Education Robert Scott announced that he is modifying the House Bill 3 Transition Plan so that school districts can defer implementation of the requirement that performance on an end-of-course (EOC) assessment must count as … Read More
Continuing Education for Underwood Attorneys
Patrick Weir and Taylor Shelton recently attended the Advanced Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Course in Amarillo, Texas. The video course took place January 20-21st and was hosted by the State Bar of Texas. The speakers presented legislative and case … Read More
Patrick Weir Attends NAPE
Patrick Weir has recently attended NAPE, the North American Prospect Expo, in Houston, Texas. The Expo took place February 22-24th and is known as the world’s largest E&P expo, NAPE Expo provides a marketplace for buying, selling and trading of … Read More
2012 Super Lawyers – Business Edition
Underwood Shareholders Kelly Utsinger and Roger Cox have been named 2012 Super Lawyers for the upcoming Business Edition to be published in September. Mr. Utsinger will be listed under the Litigation Section – Civil Litigation Defense. Mr. Cox will be … Read More
Texas Legislature Addresses Restrictions on Solar Panels
The 82nd Texas Legislature addressed the interrelations of property owners’ associations (POAs) and homeowners vis-à-vis solar power equipment. House Bill 362 modified the Texas Property Code to prohibit POAs from restricting solar devices. While this sounds appealing to some homeowners … Read More
Wind, Solar and Storage Institute – Part 2
Information presented during the second day of the Wind, Solar and Storage Institute in Austin confirmed in my mind that ERCOT will be adding additional electricity generating capacity in the next few years. I believe that the requirement of additional … Read More
E-Verify Self-Check is Now Available Nationwide
Last week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that E-Verify Self-Check, a program that allows job hunters to confirm their employment eligibility status, is now available in every state of the Nation. Many employers use E-Verify to confirm their new … Read More
World Ag Expo Report
Our February 15, 2012 Farming Lawyers presentation enjoyed a quality audience. We were pleased to brainstorm with a handful of accountants from the leading California accounting firms that specialize in dairy issue. Also, we shared thoughts with Norman Mullin, president … Read More
Fifth Circuit Finds Attorneys’ Fee Award Potentially Non-Dischargeable
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has issued its first 2012 opinion addressing dischargeability under Section 523 of the Bankruptcy Code. In In re Shcolnik, the Fifth Circuit reversed a lower court’s summary judgment, finding that … Read More
Covered Disabilities That Might Surprise You
Sweeping amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) took effect on January 1, 2009, and regulations implementing the amendments were promulgated on May 24, 2011. Employers who have not studied the amendments and implementing regulations may be surprised at … Read More
Wind, Solar and Storage Institute
The UTCLE sponsored Wind, Solar and Storage Institute is currently taking place in Austin, Texas. The Institute began on February 14 and runs through February 16. The first day of the Institute had a number of interesting presentations. A common … Read More
IRS Issues Concerning Independent Contractor Landmen
Dave Goad, a Shareholder at the Underwood Law Firm, will present at the monthly Panhandle Association of Petroleum Landmen meeting. Mr. Goad will discuss “IRS Issues Concerning Independent Contractor Landman.” For more information about the meeting and this organization, click here.
Superintendent Reassignment of Spouse Does Not Invoke Nepotism Statute
On February 7, 2012, the Texas Attorney General released an opinion regarding whether a superintendent who reassigns his/her spouse (also a district employee) is subject to anti-nepotism laws (Chapter 573, Tex. Gov’t Code). In this particular situation, a board of … Read More
AMARILLO ATTORNEY DAVE GOAD HONORED BY TEXAS BAR FOUNDATION
Dave Goad, a shareholder with the Underwood Law Firm, P.C. has been elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. Fellows of the Foundation are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and their demonstrated commitment to the improvement … Read More
Slater Elza to Present “Drafting a Peddler/Itinerant Merchant Ordinance”
Slater Elza has been invited to speak at the 2012 Texas City Attorney’s Association Summer Conference at South Padre Island. The TCAA Summer Conference regularly attracts over 200 practicing municipal lawyers for 3 days of continuing education. Slater will speak … Read More
Underwood Law Firm and Amarillo National Bank Host Seminar
The Underwood Law Firm teamed up with Amarillo National Bank to host a special seminar for clients and friends. The seminar was Tuesday, Feburary 7th and featured climatologist Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon. Dr. Nielsen-Gammon works for The Office of the State … Read More
Underwood’s Farming Lawyers
Underwood’s farming lawyers, Lynn Tate and Alan Rhodes, will share “Best Tips” as a part of the High Ground of Texas’s seminar at the World Ag Expo on Wednesday, February 15, 2012. The World Ag Expo is held in Tulare, … Read More
Sally Emerson Attends Collaborative Law Conference
Sally Emerson attended the State Bar of Texas annual Collaborative Law Conference February 2-3, 2012 in Austin, at the Austin Sheraton hotel. Speakers included Chip Rose, an internationally known lecturer on mediation, collaboration, and negotiation. About 150 people attended this … Read More
Two Recent FMLA Decisions
To be eligible for FMLA leave an employee must have been employed for a total of at least 12 months and must have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months. How should an employer respond if an … Read More
Slater Elza Accepts Chair of District 13 Subcommittee
Slater Elza, a Shareholder with the Underwood Law Firm, has accepted the position of Chairman of the District 13 Subcommittee for the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee (UPLC). The UPLC was organized in 1952 as a standing committee of the … Read More
New Special Education Procedural Safeguards, Guide to ARD Process Released
New versions of the “Notice of Procedural Safeguards” and “A Guide to the Admission, Review and Dismissal Process” were released in January 2012. The Procedural Safeguards are available at: http://framework.esc18.net/PDF/Procedural_Safeguards_Jan%202012.pdf “A Guide to the Admission, Review and Dismissal Process” is … Read More
AMARILLO ATTORNEY MR. JOHN B. ATKINS HONORED BY TEXAS BAR FOUNDATION
John B. Atkins with the Underwood Law Firm, P.C. has been elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. Fellows of the Foundation are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and their demonstrated commitment to the improvement … Read More
VALUATION TESTIMONY FROM PROPERTY OWNER’S CORPORATE REP
Traditionally, property owners have been allowed to testify in Texas Courts about the value of their own property, even if they do not otherwise qualify as an expert. 2011 saw significant developments in the application of this so-called Property Owner … Read More
Office of Civil Rights Releases Section 504 and ADA Amendment Act Guidance for Schools
On January 19, 2012, the Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) released new guidance discussing the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (Amendments Act), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act … Read More
Ray Dixon attends the 29th Annual Nonprofit Organizations Seminar
Underwood Shareholder, Ray Dixon, recently attended the 29th Annual Nonprofit Organizations Seminar sponsored by the University of Texas school of Law and the Conference of Southwest Foundations. The seminar is widely regarded as “the Southwest’s leading gathering of executives, attorneys, … Read More
Underwood Elects New Shareholder
David Goad has been elected a shareholder of the Underwood Law Firm, according to managing partner Alan Rhodes. Goad graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor of science degree in 1997 and from Western New England College School of Law … Read More
“Documentation: The Devil is in the Details” Presentation
Fred Stormer, Andrea Gulley, and Chris Pirtle will present Documentation: The Devil is in the Details at Region 16′s Leadership Academy on February 14th. Please see the link to register with Region 16 (registration ends Monday, February 13th).