Weekly Docket

In Episode 66 of the Weekly Docket, we announce Chris Heald as the new co-host and congratulate Austin Black on launching his own firm. We discuss State Senator Mayes Middleton’s run for Texas Attorney General and analyze Ken Paxton’s Senate ambitions. Legal questions this week include why luxury cars often have Montana plates and whether a will can be probated in Texas after four years. Plus, we break down misleading social media claims about short-term rental tax benefits. 

Episode 65 of the Weekly Docket features a blast from the past as we discuss recent changes to federal showerhead regulations and how Trump’s rollback impacts your morning routine. Then, we dive into a grab bag of legal questions from our inbox—ranging from estate planning basics and selling a small business to Texas eviction notices and real estate closing headaches. We also talk about when and how to get a power of attorney. Tune in for a packed episode of practical law with your hosts, Phil Silberman and Austin Black. 

This week, Phil and Austin break down Texas’s HB 17 bill aiming to restrict foreign ownership of land, analyze the legal quirks of conditional bequests inspired by Netflix’s Life List, and sit down with Texas Senator Mayes Middleton to discuss school choice and banning junk food from SNAP benefits.  

In this episode of the Weekly Docket, hosts Phil Silberman and Austin Black dive into the Texas Attorney General’s investigation into a Muslim development accused of implementing Sharia law. They also explore the legal questions surrounding hotel liability after a country music star’s jewelry went missing and discuss whether offers of admission are binding contracts. Finally, the hosts debate pedestrian safety—should you walk with or against traffic? Tune in for expert legal insights, spirited discussions, and practical advice. 

Episode 62 covers big Texas legal news as the Senate pushes to ban synthetic THC products, risking thousands of jobs and billions in tax revenue. We break down Trump’s controversial use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan gang members and explore a key Texas homestead protection issue—can lenders dodge the law with tricky paperwork? Plus, we rant about the American Heart Association’s baffling opposition to banning junk food from SNAP benefits. 

In this episode of The Weekly Docket, we dive into the legal implications of a green card holder’s controversial arrest. Plus, we explore a surprising discovery—a deer hunter stumbles upon a mammoth tusk in Texas, but can he legally keep it? In our real estate segment, we debunk a common misconception about county appraisal district records and explain some strategies for keeping ownership records anonymous. Finally, we discuss whether sellers can sue their Realtors for paying too much in buyer’s agent commissions. Tune in for legal insights with Phil Silberman and Austin Black!

This week on The Weekly Docket, we dive into Texas’ latest legal shakeups, including a proposed law making it a felony to misrepresent gender identity and a potential statewide ban on hemp-derived THC products. We also answer key legal questions about the difference between notary acknowledgments and jurats, as well as when to use a small estate affidavit in Texas. Plus, we break down the dramatic 80% drop in border apprehensions and the controversy surrounding transgender athletes in sports. Tune in for all this and more! 

In this episode of The Weekly Docket, hosts Phil Silberman and Austin Black discuss a new rule in Texas allowing licensed paralegal professionals to provide limited legal services—will this improve access to justice or lead to legal disasters? We also break down Elon Musk’s $3,000-per-hour attorney, Alex Spiro, and explore the risks of registering domain names that include big brand trademarks. Plus, can you sue your home inspector for missing foundation issues? And finally, we examine Trump’s claims about phantom federal employees, the staggering costs of government waste, and whether federal pay cuts could help reduce the deficit. 

In this episode of The Weekly Docket, hosts Phil Silberman and Austin Black dive into the legal controversy surrounding the Texas Lottery, where a class-action lawsuit alleges fraud in a multimillion-dollar jackpot. They also discuss the Texas Supreme Court’s deliberations on whether power companies can be held liable for the devastating 2021 winter storm blackouts. In the legal Q&A segment, the hosts explain spousal homestead rights in Texas and the process of deeding property out of an estate. Plus, a fiery rant on Trump’s latest comments about the Ukraine war—does he really believe them, or is it just another negotiation tactic? 

In this week’s Weekly Docket, we dive into Kanye West’s shocking Super Bowl ad and explore the law surrounding Swastika displays. Plus, President Trump orders an end to penny production—will Congress go along? We also break down a lawsuit where a student claims his school district let him graduate without learning to read. In other headlines, Sean “Diddy” Combs sues NBC for defamation, the DOJ drops corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, and a judge clears the way for federal employee buyouts. Tune in for all this and more on Weekly Docket!