Angel Reyes Blog : Angel Reyes : Texas Litigation Lawyer and Attorney : Dangerous Drugs : Wrongful Death : Business Litigation

Since November of 2006, Judge Martin Hoffman has served the 68^th District Court, Dallas County with dignity, conviction and purpose.  He has a long history of supporting  Dallas, previously as a member of Dallas County School District’s Board of Trustees, as a member of the governing body of The Texas Democratic Party and as President of The Dallas Homeowners League.  Judge Hoffman’s commitment to the community is first and foremost among his priorities and I’m pleased to support his upcoming reelection.  I invite you to join me at my home next Monday, February 15, 2010 for a special fundraiser for Judge Hoffman’s campaign.  For further details, email me at angel@reyeslaw.com. 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

I was awarded the honor of being a 2010 Minority Business Leader by the Dallas Business Journal.  According to the publication, “You are being honored for making a difference in your profession, our local business community and our community. You were chosen by Dallas Business Journal editors from a very competitive field of nominees and we are proud to recognize you. Honorees were selected based on professional achievements and leadership in their industry and in the overall community.”

Please look for the announcement in the February 12 issue of the Dallas Business Journal.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Cheryl Hall wrote an interesting article yesterday that appeared in the Dallas Morning News.  Her work is always insightful.  Take a look:

 

Dallas-area Movers and Shakers Share the Thoughts that Guide Them

 

My boss, Jim Moroney, chief executive of The Dallas Morning News, has a sign displayed prominently in his office: People who don't get carried away should be.

He's not certain who coined the phrase, but he believes it wholeheartedly as the publisher of this newspaper. "What we do every day helps preserve and strengthen our democracy, which is the foundation of the precious liberties we enjoy," Moroney says. "If you can't get passionate about that, you need to find another line of work."

Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Reyes Bartolomei Browne is the law firm representing Donnell, Hayden, co-founder of the Gang Intervention Community Outreach Program in their plight to keep the $11,000 basketball floor located in the Saint James AME Church. The Dallas Mavericks donated the floor to the Gang Intervention Community Outreach Program. However, the church claims the right to the floor, stating the floor might be an “alteration, improvement, fixture or addition” to the church, making it church property. Our position is that the floor is easily removable and was a gift from the Mavs, making it the property of the GICOP.

Please view the 33 News segment about this case and the text of the story below:

Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

I’ve written a great deal about dangerous products that have resulted in numerous injuries and deaths. It’s no surprise that most of these products were imported from foreign countries such as China and India, where manufacturing is cheap, but safety standards are lax. Examples include Chinese food products, poisonous toothpaste, children’s pajamas, dolls painted with lead contaminated paint, toxic chemicals in plastic toys, and the list goes on and on and on. Now Wal-Mart is facing a lawsuit for selling a defective bassinet that allegedly strangled and killed a 6-month-year-old baby. So where was this bassinet assembled? No surprise here - China. This is the SECOND time a baby has died from this very same bassinet. The first death occurred in September, 2007. Yet despite this horrific incident, the bassinet remained on the market.

Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce has delayed hiring a chief executive officer since former CEO Cici Rojas left us in April.  Please read my interview with Sheryl Jean of the Dallas Morning News below:

Dallas Hispanic chamber delays hiring a new CEO
10:40 PM CDT on Wednesday, September 23, 2009
By SHERYL JEAN / The Dallas Morning News

The Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce took key steps Wednesday to address its five months of leadership turmoil, but the nonprofit business group probably will remain without a chief executive into early next year.

The chamber's board of directors voted unanimously to delay its search for a new CEO to study how other groups have handled similar situations.

The group has been embroiled in a power struggle since CEO Cici Rojas left in April to become executive director of the Kansas Republican Party and more than a third of the 16-member board resigned in May. The 70-year-old chamber has more than 1,700 members.

Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Please view the link below for my Friday interview on the WFAA news segment regarding the liability of people selling recalled items in garage sales:

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Over the past several months, much has been said in the media about problems and even irregularities at the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (“GDHCC”). As with every story, there are two sides. The current Board, on which I serve as Vice-Chair, has taken a pro-active approach to rebuilding our house on a stronger foundation. To that end, we’ve engaged an outside auditor to review the financial statements for the past few years and we are focused on serving our members.

Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

I was quoted in the following Dallas Morning News article:

Business leaders worry about national economy but optimistic for Dallas-Fort Worth
Cheryl Hall, Dallas Morning News - September 12, 2009

D-FW business leaders are tiptoeing into the fourth quarter.

They want to believe that the worst is behind us, but they aren't about to let their guard down.

There's too much unsettling stuff going on in Washington to suit them. And they're fearful that a crisis in commercial real estate may send us into another banking crisis.

Most don't expect robust economic growth until mid- to late 2010 or beyond. And they worry that truly scary things on the horizon - like mounting federal debt - will make any recovery short-lived.

Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Here is a recent Dallas Morning News article about my new firm, Reyes Bartolomei Browne. Please read below:

Dallas law firms traveling a softer road than many national offices
09:34 AM CDT on Monday, July 6, 2009
By ERIC TORBENSON / The Dallas Morning News

While a painful recession has forced many big law firms nationwide to downsize, Dallas' law practices have dodged most of the bullets and are changing their tactics to fire back when the economy rebounds.

Angel Reyes and partners Luis Bartolomei, Spencer Browne and Ryan Browne, and associate Nick Farris created the Reyes Bartolomei Browne law firm to focus on local cases in Dallas and Tarrant counties. The region's firms have held up better because of North Texas' relative economic strength and because the kind of law specialties that dominate here, such as energy and intellectual property, are somewhat recession-proof.

Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The following is an article from one of my firm's partners, Spencer P. Browne:

A tragic fiery collision occurred today, June 24, 2009 in Carrollton, Texas on southbound I-35E near President George Bush Turnpike.  According to television and Dallas Morning News reports, an 18-wheeler struck two cars that were parked on the shoulder. The big rig then struck a cement barrier, overturned and burst into flames. As the cab exploded and the fiery crash continued, another trucker helped the driver of one of the parked cars out, but reports have indicated that one woman, who was in one of the parked cars, died from her injuries. It has been reported that she was only 65. The truck driver is said to be still in the hospital.

Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (2)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Over the weekend, Dallas Morning News contributor, Mercedes Olivera wrote a short piece on my new book, Hispanic Heresy. I’ve been fortunate to garner national attention regarding the issues put forth in my book and I’m pleased to see local media covering an issue that impacts Dallas as largely as any city in the nation. If you haven’t read my book yet, I encourage you to pick it up and I’d be happy to discuss any questions you have.

Lawyer makes case against immigrant myths
By MERCEDES OLIVERA / The Dallas Morning News
10:53 AM CDT on Sunday, April 26, 2009

While politicians may debate the merits of immigration reform, many economists and researchers have already made up their minds: Immigrants contribute far more to the U.S. economy than they take.

It's a view expressed most recently in the book – Hispanic Heresy: What Is the Impact of America's Largest Population of Immigrants? –released in January and written by a Dallas lawyer and two Texas Tech University business professors.

Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

As I mentioned in an entry last week, I recently chaired the Dallas Hispanic PAC meeting where many Dallas City Council candidates explained their positions and asked for our support. You can see the full list of candidates we’re supporting on my 4/21 blog entry but I’d like to take a moment to elaborate on the Dallas Hispanic PAC’s choice for City Council, District 13 – Ann Margolin.

I have personally met with Ann on several occasions and have known of her community involvement and work in and around Dallas. I thoroughly believe she will be a wonderful addition to the City Council and will be well respected among her colleagues and peers.

Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

I chaired the Hispanic Political Action Committee meeting last Thursday, where several Dallas City Council candidates sat on the hot seat and explained to us why we should support them. The following are the organization's choices for endorsement:
 
Incumbents:
Steve Salazar, District 6
Pauline Medrano, District 2
Dwaine Caraway, District 4
Shefie Kadane, District 9
Jerry R. Allen, District 10

New Candidates:
Delia Jasso, District 1
Casey Thomas, District 3
Don Parish, District 7

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

At some point Johnson & Johnson, ALZA Corp., Janssen Pharmaceutica, Sandoz, Mylan, and Watson will come to their senses and stop prescribing these death patches.

See article below.

2 years after student's death, SMU bans fraternity from holding parties
By SAMANTHA URBAN / The Dallas Morning News
Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Two years after an SMU student died from an overdose at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house, the university has acknowledged that drug use at the fraternity was not limited to that isolated incident and issued SAE a $5,000 fine.

Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

I proudly support the United Way, and hope that you might do so as well. The Dallas/Fort Worth area United Way is seeking volunteers to help low-income families receive their maximum tax refund possible. This tax-refund program can amount to an average of $2,000 per family, which is a tremendous help in these tough economic times.

If you're interested in volunteering, please visit their website at www.unitedwaydallas.org/eks. My best to you and your family this holiday season, and thank you for your support of this worthy cause.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (2)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The Dallas Hispanic Bar Association will award a dozen Latino students attending various Texas law schools between $1,500 and $2,000 at its annual scholarship fundraising banquet to be held on September 17 at the Belo Mansion.  I am deeply honored to be among the list of individuals for whom these scholarships will be named after.

Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

I am honored to be named by the Texas Diversity Council as a winner of the 2008 DiversityFIRSTTM Award.  The purpose of this award is to "recognize and celebrate outstanding accomplishments and sustained commitment by an Individual, Community Organization, Business, Corporation and/or Non-Profit Group in the area of promoting appreciation for diversity, inclusion, and cultural understanding in the workplace that fits within the stated purposes and reflects the goals and/or mission of the Texas Diversity Council." Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Angel Reyes has been recognized as an emerging Hispanic leader in Dallas.  The article below is from the Spanish language version of the Dallas Morning News, Al Dia. Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The Dallas City Council’s Trinity River committee is looking to rename Industrial Boulevard.  César Chávez, an altruistic farm worker is on the short list of names.  As I said in an article from the May 24, 2008 edition of the Dallas Morning News, in eight years, the Dallas Hispanic population will become the majority.  It would be an honor to the Hispanic community to rename Industrial Boulevard after Mr. Chávez. Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (2)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The United Way is an incredible organization, and I'm honored to announce my recent election as a member of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2008. Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

I’ve always felt that it’s not enough just to live and work in a city, that we all have a responsibility to get involved and do things for the greater good. That’s why I’ve been proud to work with organizations such as the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association and other such groups. And it’s why I’m honored that last week, the Dallas City Council appointed me to serve a two-year term on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board of Directors (official DART posting linked here.) DART plays a fundamental role in helping Dallas and the surrounding communities work better. I look forward to doing my part to help DART be the modern, flexible and accessible transportation system we all want and need. Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (2)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

For years my law firm has battled TXI Corp over its safety policies. In fact, my firm Heygood, Orr, Reyes, Pearson & Bartolomei achieved a $24 miilion jury verdict against TXI for the wrongful death of a man killed in an explosion at a TXI facility in Midlothian, Texas. Well, TXI is at it again.  Just yesterday, on Highway 183 in Irving, Texas, a woman was killed and 3 people were hurt when a TXI cement truck veered out of control and crushed Maria Angelica Gamez, killing her instantly and trapping a 5-year-old girl in the crushed SUV for hours.

The TXI driver, Edward Magallon, was taken to Parkland Hospital in serious condition.

See the full story below from the Dallas Morning News, "Rescuers Pull Girl From Death Trap." Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (3)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Here’s another look at Tim O'Hare and an update to my December 2006, article entitled "What's the Matter with Farmers Branch?"

Well, it has finally come to pass, Tim O'Hare of Farmers Branch is throwing his hat in the ring for Mayor of Farmers Branch.  Some readers will recall that I spoke to O'Hare several years ago when he wanted to refer a bunch of low value auto accident and dog bite cases to my office.  We turned the cases away, not because we didn't like O'Hare, but because we thought the cases were simply too small for our law firm to handle.  Frankly, the cases were ones no lawyer had any business working on.  You know…the kind of cases that give lawyers a bad name, as in “ambulance chasers.” During that meeting, O'Hare told me he wanted to run for Farmers Branch City Council, get elected, serve two terms, and then get elected Mayor of Farmers Branch.  His ambition and grandiosity that day were on full display.  So far, he's right on track.  
Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (2)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Last Saturday night TexVac hosted its second annual Rayburn Johnson dinner at the Westin Galleria Hotel. The guys who put together TexVac have done a tremendous job of helping shepherd in a new Democratic feel to Texas politics and especially, local area Dallas politics. I watched in amazement as 51 newly elected Dallas County Democrats took the stage during the event. I couldn't help but wonder, how did we get to this night? Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

I thought I was going to stay out of the fray up in Farmers Branch, Texas, but I just can't do it anymore.  First, let me give you some background.  I know Tim O'Hare.  Months ago, Tim O'Hare came to my law office at my request and we met for lunch. 

You see, Tim O'Hare and I have one thing in common.  We have both represented injured undocumented aliens, mostly Mexicans.  My firm has also represented plenty of El Salvadorans, Hondurans, Guatemalans, Costa Ricans, Columbians, Venezuelans, Brazilians, Argentineans, Bolivians, Peruvians, and Ecuadorians. Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (3)
• Trackbacks (1)
• Share Link

With Victory boards in place, city set to weigh massive arena proposal

11:33 PM CST on Tuesday, November 14, 2006
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News

A massive video board that the Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks and American Airlines Center operators want to affix to the arena's southern face has an influential neighbor plenty upset. Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

There was an earthquake on Tuesday, November 7th  in Dallas County.  I wonder how far away it was felt?  Since moving here in 1992, I think there have been perhaps two Democratic Judges to sit on the Dallas County Civil Court benches.  As a member of the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, and former member of its Board, I recall having many discussions with fellow members about which Republican we should back as the lesser of two evils.  The members of the organization had no choice in the matter because prior to two years ago and this year, the election cycle typically did not have a Democrat on the ballot! Continue Reading...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link