Hays McConn

Going Through the Motions: Steps to Consider Before Your Notice of Appeal

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:00:00 GMT

After an adverse verdict or ruling, the thoughts of clients and their counsel naturally turn to the court of appeals and the potential for relief in that forum. Hollywood movies and television will occasionally even show lawyers taking a verbal notice of appeal just after the jury verdict is announced. However, in the real world, careful thought should be given to filing a formal notice of appeal. This is true for two reasons. First, trial courts often let issues which likely should be resolved as a matter of law go to the jury in hopes that the jury will sort it out. In the logic of many trial judges, it is easier to justify denying relief as a matter of law after both parties have had their day in court than via summary judgment or directed verdict. Thus, a post-verdict motion will allow the trial court one last chance to grant relief on issues that could have been disposed of before trial but were not. Certainly, a motion to the trial court is a less time-consuming and less...

16-Nov-07 12:00 PM

Limits on Discovery to Arbitrators and Dispute Resolution Providers

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Everyone involved in the handling or defense of construction defect claims is aware that arbitration is a common method of resolution of such claims. However, their is an all too common sequel to the hard-fought arbitration hearing when it becomes time to confirm or enforce the award at the courthouse. Unhappy parties to the arbitration, in an attempt to fish for evidence of one of the few reasons an award can be disturbed, may attempt to serve discovery in the trial court to the arbitrator, the members of the arbitration panel, or the dispute resolution provider itself. The common target of this discovery is evidence of an allegedly undisclosed conflict of interest on the part of the arbitrator. When this happens, counsel for the successful party should be familiar with the wide-range of legal authority which indicates such discovery is improper. For example, Courts have refused to allow the parties to an arbitration proceeding to call an arbitrator as a witness to testify by...

16-Nov-07 10:00 AM

Hays, McConn, Rice & Pickering, P.C. Proudly Announces Its New Houston Location

noemail@haysmcconn.com — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Hays, McConn, Rice & Pickering, P.C. is pleased to announce that its Houston office has relocated to the vibrant Uptown/Galleria area of Houston. The firm’s new address will be 1233 W. Loop South, Ste. 1000, Houston, Texas 77027. This is the first new location for the firm in its more than twenty-five years of operation. The move is effective April 28, 2008.

“As Houston continues to grow and expand, much of its economic and commercial activity has moved west, and it is only natural that legal service providers follow suit,” said David V. Wilson II, shareholder with the firm. While the firm continues its recognized role as a participant in Harris County courtrooms, the move away from downtown underscores the statewide and national focus of the firm. It maintains its other office in Las Vegas, Nevada. The firm’s telephone numbers, telecopier numbers and e-mail addresses remain unchanged.

For questions contact DavidV.WilsonII, 713-752-8360, dwilson@haysmcconn.com.

Hays McConn expands its commercial litigation capabilities

noemail@haysmcconn.com — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:00:00 GMT

Houston, Texas based Hays, McConn , Rice and Pickering, P.C. is both grateful and proud of having been chosen as a Go-To Law Firm by it's client Texas Mutual Insurance. In it's twenty-five year history, Hays, McConn had been recognized by it's peers as a leader in expanding it's presence by opening an office in Las Vegas, Nevada. While the firm has long prided itself in providing a wide range of legal services in Texas, representing businesses as varied as Shell Oil Company, Travelers Insurance, Enterprise Rent A Car, and the American Arbitration Association, it's particular emphasis in the Nevada office will be on providing representation in the area of business litigation and appeals, including construction litigation.

As Nevada expands it's profile as a home for corporations, with it's business-friendly incorporation procedures, it will be the venue for higher profile business disputes. Hays, McConn is available to assist in the resolution of those disputes in Nevada, as well as continuing to provide those services to it's clients in Texas.

Our Locations

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:17:49 GMT

Located in Houston Texas and Las Vegas Nevada, we have two convenient locations to help serve you. Review the maps below and click to view a google map, a yahoo map or find your way to us with Mapquest. Hays McConn Rice & Pickering Houston Office 1233 West Loop South Suite 1000 Houston, TX 77027 (mapquest) Ph: (713) 654-1111 Fx: (713) 650-0027 Click here for a Google map to Hays McConn Click here for a Yahoo map to Hays McConn Hays McConn Rice & Pickering Las Vegas Office 8275 S. Eastern Avenue Suite 200 Las Vegas, Nevada 89123 (mapquest) Ph: (702) 990-8414 Fx: (702) 990-8681 Click here for a Google map to Hays McConn Click here for a Yahoo map to Hays McConn

Trial and Case Outcomes

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:48:38 GMT

Man Roland, Inc. v. Kreitz Motor Express, Inc., et al.; In the Southern District of Texas. Plaintiff sued several entities alleging their negligence under the Carmack Amendment in shipping a printing press from the Port of Houston to Lubbock, Texas. The press, valued at over $1 million, was damaged during transport due to inclement weather. Plaintiff settled with the two other defendants and sought the majority of its damages from the Hays, McConn client. The court granted summary judgment based on the argument that the plaintiff was negligent because it gave specific directions on how the printing press was to be shipped. The court also dismissed all of the plaintiffs claims against the client. Handled by Shannon R. Ramirez and Lisa C. Mayr. Sidebar: Plaintiffs counsel indicated that, while he believed the case would be reversed on appeal, he did not know if his client would appeal because they will not be entitled to recover attorneys fees. He also told Ms. Ramirez during...

Our Fully Integrated In-house Litigation Software

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:38:31 GMT

Litigation support software can really shine during presentations especially when critical decisions and changes are made on-the-fly. Hays McConn has in-house staff with the ability and experience to run various professional software programs that give an edge during trials or mediations. Using the technology of high-powered litigation support software, We will work hard to go above and beyond the desired results of our clients.

Rotator Images and XML

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:36:49 GMT

To add new images, simply use the upload icon and use the same file name with a different image.

You will need to update the jpgrotator.xml file that controls the images that appear in the rotator.

Right click and choose "Save Target As" to download jpgrotator.xml, make your edits and re-upload to this page.

Hays McConn In The News

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:05:06 GMT

Please click a link below to read our latest news and articles that we have written.

Quality Cost Effective Representation

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:03:30 GMT

Quality will be insured by our team approach to your litigation, and we will not substitute lawyers without consultation with you. Your interests and those of your operating companies must be handled ethically and meet the highest standard so that no question may arise which would adversely affect your interest. We will work with your in-house counsel or litigation managers to develop strategies to provide the most effective legal services to the operating companies at reasonable cost. We will partner with in-house lawyers and paralegals to manage cases and develop standardized procedures for case development to eliminate unnecessary actions. We will provide case and litigation management to ensure that your interests are being addressed on a timely basis. We will assign attorneys commensurate with the difficulty of the task and the seriousness of the case involved, to ensure that value is given and cost efficiency is achieved in the legal representation...

Administrative

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:03:07 GMT

If you are qualified for one of our job postings, please submit your resume to: humanresources@haysmcconn.com. Word format only, please You may send a hard copy of your resume to:

Hays, McConn, Rice & Pickering P.C.
ATTN: Human Resources
1200 Smith, Ste. 400
Houston, Texas 77002

Please have a cover letter indicating the position for which you are applying. No phone calls, please. Thank you for your interest in Hays, McConn, Rice, and Pickering P.C. an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Recruiting Attorneys

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:02:21 GMT

Please submit your resume by mail or fax to:

Hays, McConn, Rice & Pickering P.C.
ATTN: Troy Williams,
1200 Smith, Ste.400,
Houston, Texas 77002
Fax: (713) 650-0027

Please have a cover letter indicating the position for which you are applying. No phone calls or emails, please. Thank you for your interest in Hays, McConn, Rice, and Pickering P.C. an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Recruiting

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:01:02 GMT

Hays, McConn has experienced steady growth over the past decade. This growth has been driven by the firm's strategic plan, which has focused on key areas of development to enable the firm to create a stable environment for its attorneys. The implementation of this plan has resulted in increased market share in existing markets, expansion into new markets, and the addition of new areas of practice. Hays, McConn is committed to providing legal counsel to its clients that is timely and on-target.

The most consistently cited reason given by Hays, McConn attorneys for choosing to practice at the firm is the people. The culture of every firm is defined by the character, personality, and diversity of its people. Our firm prides itself on consistently attracting and hiring intelligent, energetic people who enjoy each other and the pursuit of common goals.

Firm Practice and Philosophy

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:59:51 GMT

Hays, McConn, Rice & Pickering was founded in 1982. The firm began with 18 lawyers, and has consistently grown to its present size of 35 attorneys. The firm's practice is focused on personal injury and general civil trial work for insurers and corporate clients.

The firm handles a wide variety of litigation including professional liability, legal malpractice defense, premises liability, premises security, construction disputes, automobile liability, homeowner's liability, property damage litigation, toxic torts, maritime, products liability, dram shop, and ERISA litigation.

The firm also actively represents insurance companies in coverage matters and bad faith litigation. While 70% to 80% of the firm's practice is related to trial work, the firm also has expertise in general commercial matters, including ERISA, banking, probate, real estate, and general corporate matters.

The firm's philosophy is simple: Its success is measured by the client's and their insurer's success in accomplishing their goals and objectives. We believe in defining litigation successes the way our clients want them defined because we are interested in long term client relationships.

The firm achieves this end by working in unison with the claims professionals and clients in handling and resolving legal matters. We strongly believe that the key to our success is through repeat business and by referrals of new clients from existing clients. Hays, McConn, Rice & Pickering is dedicated to providing high quality legal services, while being cost sensitive in delivering those services for the clients and their insurers.

Results achieved necessarily depend upon the facts of each individual case. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, as every matter is different. Similar results may not be obtained in your matter.