Weekly Docket

This week on the Weekly Docket, Governor Abbott blocks a sweeping THC ban, keeping gummies and vapes legal in Texas. Phil and Chris explain what to do when you can't afford a litigation retainer but need to file an answer. Plus, they dive into why the media is ignoring plunging global birth rates and what that means for the green agenda. Also, surprising success from the Astros and how filing pro se works in Texas courts.

This week on the Weekly Docket, Phil and Chris break down Karen Read’s dramatic acquittal and the $5 million defense that fueled it. They also tackle how to upgrade your business from a sole proprietorship, why so many new lawyers avoid the courtroom, the history of Juneteenth, and the surprising side hustle of a former juror turned insider.

This week on the Weekly Docket, Phil and Chris break down Trump’s controversial deployment of the National Guard and Marines to LA, exploring its shaky legal basis under the law. They also tackle a listener’s question about selling individual units of a duplex or fourplex--can you just list them as condos. Finally, they confront the heartbreaking realities of guardianships for adults with mental illness, where the legal system offers few clear solutions.

This week on the Weekly Docket, Phil welcomes Dallas attorney Dawna Hurd to talk about her shift from prosecution to private practice. This week’s show covers the end of in-state tuition for undocumented students in Texas, the tricky truth behind LLCs vs. S-corps, and whether your email could be a legally binding contract. Plus, Phil rants about Hermes’ elusive Birkin bags and whether their business model could raise discrimination concerns.

This week on the Weekly Docket, Phil is joined by supervising attorney Chris Heald to unpack the legal risks behind an innocent-looking 5th grade water balloon tradition, reveal how a North Korean laptop farm operated from a quiet American neighborhood, and explain how executor fees really work in Texas probate cases. They also explain how to decode confusing statutes and share contractor nightmare stories every homeowner should hear. 

This week on the Weekly Docket, Phil is joined by supervising attorney Chris to discuss the legal fallout from the Texas Renaissance Festival owner’s death amid a forced property sale. We dive into the sweeping tax changes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” explore what happens legally when an LLC member dies, and call out shady dealership service fees. Don’t miss this mix of probate drama, business law insights, and consumer protection talk. 

This week on the Weekly Docket, Phil and Chris dive into the headline-grabbing court order forcing the sale of the Texas Renaissance Festival. They explain the concept of specific performance in Texas real estate law and why this is not just about tents and turkey legs but a multimillion-dollar business deal gone sideways. In the Legal Questions segment, Chris offers guidance on the best and worst ways to disinherit your children, including why leaving them a symbolic dollar might backfire. Plus, the team unpacks the emotional and financial toll of lawsuits brought on principle, sharing real-world stories who spent big only to regret it. It is a practical and entertaining episode filled with legal insight and a few rants worth hearing. 

This week on the Weekly Docket, Phil and Chris dive into Texas’s headline-grabbing $1 billion school voucher law and its potential to reshape public education. They walk through the legal roadmap of eminent domain in Texas, breaking down what really happens when the government comes for your land. In the Rant and Rave section of the show, they unpack the turmoil inside big law firms, where post-pandemic hiring surges have turned into costly departures. From education policy to property rights to the future of elite law firms, this episode delivers sharp analysis on a shifting legal landscape. 

This week on the Weekly Docket, Phil and Chris unpack a dramatic court decision impacting Houston's SBISD elections and explore a church lawsuit over control and transparency at Second Baptist. They break down what qualifies as a real estate fixture--hint: not all solar panels are created equal. Additionally, they examine the shocking drop in Texas migration numbers. Plus, they discuss the implications of at-large voting systems and the legal theory behind restoring voting rights in religious institutions. From election law to real estate, this episode delivers a full docket of legal insight. 

In Episode 67 of the Weekly Docket, Phil and Chris break down viral TikTok scams about dodging tariffs, share a firm story of shipping laptops overseas, and warn about the risks of cheap online goods. Legal questions this week tackle what to do when your tenant buries someone in the yard and the practicality of managing multiple series in a Series LLC. Finally, the hosts dive into the harsh realities of law firm startups, the challenges of scale and why success stories are the rare exception.