Stephanie James Selected in the 2024 Texas Super Lawyers-Rising Stars

Stephanie James has been listed in the 2024 Super Lawyers “Texas Rising Stars.” To be honored as a Rising Star, attorneys must be age 40 or younger, or have practiced fewer than 10 years. Rising Star selections are based on nominations from fellow attorneys who previously were honored in the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers list. Only 2.5 percent of the total lawyers in Texas are listed as “Rising Stars.”

Stephanie James – Stephanie James’ practice consists of a wide variety of civil litigation, healthcare and employment matters. She represents clients in personal injury litigation, nonsubscriber litigation, healthcare litigation, commercial litigation, construction disputes, employment disputes, and general civil litigation.




Fort Worth Office Recognized in Best Law Firms Ranked by Best Lawyers, 2024 Edition

Underwood Fort Worth office was recently recognized in the Best Law Firms ranked by Best Lawyers, 2024 Edition receiving a Tier 1 ranking in Construction Law. Congratulations, such a significant accomplishment!

Construction LawCara Kennemer and Richard Schellhammer




Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) is Set to Take Effect on January 1, 2024

The Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) is set to take effect on January 1, 2024, and requires certain entities to report information that has not previously been required by the federal government. According to federal government estimates, the CTA will apply to 32.6 million entities in 2024, and 5 million newly formed entities each year thereafter. Note that non-compliance may result in fines ranging from $500 to $10,000 per violation, along with potential jail time of up to two years.

Purpose of the CTA:

The CTA was enacted to improve transparency regarding entity ownership. The CTA is intended to combat the misuse of corporations and other entities regarding tax fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes. The CTA establishes a database of beneficial ownership information, which will be used by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) to aid its investigations. Congress has determined that the privacy previously granted to the owners of corporations or other entities has been exploited by criminal enterprises to facilitate illegal activities, creating an obstacle for federal law enforcement in conducting investigations.

New Requirements:

An entity formed on or after January 1, 2024, must file its beneficial ownership information within 90 days of the entity’s creation. Additionally, an entity formed on or after January 1, 2024, will need to report applicant information as defined in the CTA. An entity existing before January 1, 2024, must file its beneficial ownership information before January 1, 2025.

A covered entity is required to update its beneficial ownership information within 30 days anytime there is a change to the beneficial ownership. For example, an update will likely be required after the sale, acquisition, merger, death of beneficial owner, or any other reason for which the entity becomes aware that the information previously filed has become inaccurate.

Although the requirements of the CTA may seem simple at first glance, compliance may become complicated depending on each entity’s specific structure and formation. Attorneys at Underwood Law Firm, P.C. stand ready to assist and advise you with complying and maintaining compliance with this new law. Non-compliance comes with steep civil fines and potential criminal issues, therefore, your immediate attention is absolutely necessary.

This letter is intended only to be a general overview of the CTA and does not constitute general legal advice or legal advice about your particular situation. For more information, please contact the Underwood Law Firm.

 

December 22, 2023




Twelve Underwood Lawyers Recently Recognized as 2023 Texas Super Lawyers

Twelve Underwood lawyers recently recognized as 2023 Texas Super Lawyers.
 
Shareholder Cara Kennemer additionally recognized among the Top 100 Overall attorneys in Texas, Top 50 Women, and Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth.
 
 
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.



Underwood Associate, Jarod Russell, Presents “Legal Issues That Arise with Divided Boards” at the Texas Council of School Attorneys Annual Education Law Conference

Underwood Associate, Jarod Russell, served on a panel presenting “Legal Issues that Arise with Divided Boards” at the Texas Council of School Attorneys (CSA) Annual Education Law Conference. CSA provides a statewide forum on practical legal problems faced by local public schools and their attorneys.




Underwood Law Firm 2023 Employment Law Seminar

Join us for Underwood’s 11th Annual Employment Law Seminar
 
NOVEMBER 6, 2023
Amarillo, TX
Sharpened Iron Studios, Auditorium
1314 S. Polk St.
 
NOVEMBER 8, 2023
Lubbock, TX
Region 17 Education Service Center
South Conference Center
1111 W. Loop 289
 
Cost is $99 per person ($75 per person for each additional attendee from the same company). 
Seminar fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, and course materials. 
This program has been submitted for 6.5 hours of continuing education through the Human Resource Certificate Institute (HRCI) and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). 
 
REGISTER HERE
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT DARLA PHILLIPPE (806) 793-1711 DARLA.PHILLIPPE@UWLAW.COM
 



Jennie Knapp Presents with Justice Dennise Garcia at the State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Trial Seminar

Jennie Knapp presented with Justice Dennise Garcia at the State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Trial seminar on actions you can take on the trial court while an appeal is pending.




The Texas Association of Defense Counsel Publishes Article Written by Jennie C. Knapp and Taylor C. Holley

The Texas Association of Defense Counsel published an article by Underwood lawyers Jennie C. Knapp and Taylor C. Holley entitled “How to Avoid Common Summary Judgment Pitfalls” in its summer magazine. The TADC is a professional organization of civil trial attorneys dedicated to promoting excellence in its members, fairness in our judicial system, and preserving the right to jury trial for all citizens.




Underwood Law Firm Appoints New President

The Underwood Law Firm is pleased to announce the appointment of new firm president, Dave Goad.

“We are proud to have Dave transition to president of our firm. He is an outstanding lawyer and person. Dave brings a new level of energy to our leadership as we continue beyond 110 years of legal services to our Texas clients,” said Underwood President Gavin Gadberry.

Goad is Board Certified in Tax Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star and is a member of Amarillo Area, Dallas and American (Tax Section) Bar Associations.

Goad graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science and from Western New England College School of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 2001. He also attended Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law, where he received a LL.M. in Taxation.




Richard Schellhammer and Brad Timms Win at the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals.

Underwood attorneys Richard Schellhammer and Brad Timms recently achieved a significant victory in the Austin Court of Appeals on behalf of their client, a national title agency. The court of appeals affirmed a take-nothing summary judgment as to all claims in favor of Underwood’s client. At the trial-court level, plaintiffs sought significant monetary damages related to real-estate transaction involving a forged deed. Plaintiff asserted claims ranging from breach of contract to violation of the Texas Insurance Code. On appeal, with a thorough analysis, the court affirmed summary judgment, holding that plaintiff take nothing from Underwood’s client while ordering that plaintiff pay all costs at the trial and appellate court.