Res judicata (claim preclusion) prevents an entire case from being relitigated once a court has finally rendered a decision, while collateral estoppel (issue preclusion) prevents specific questions that were already decided from being argued again. Together, these rules help courts avoid repeat litigation, thereby avoiding the Groundhog Day phenomenon, and ensuring that court decisions bring real closure.
Read morePlanning Ahead: A New Year’s Resolution for End‑of‑Life Preparedness
The start of a new year often invites reflection, goal‑setting, and practical planning for the future. We resolve to care better for our health, our finances, our relationships, and our responsibilities. One resolution that rarely makes the list—but can be one of the most meaningful—is preparing for the end of life. This post provides general, educational information about end‑of‑life planning, including checklists and links to trusted public resources. It is intended for those who are looking for a place to begin.
Read moreFrom Grunts to Greatness: Frankenstein’s Monster and the Evolution of Legal Research
Image Source: https://ndla.no/r/engelsk-2/frankenstein-or-the-modern-prometheus-by-mary-shelley/0d3f85047e, Creative Commons
Much like Frankenstein’s Monster, every researcher begins with a kind of linguistic infancy—punching in a few keywords, seeing what comes up, and hoping for the best. This is the “fire bad” stage of searching: simple, direct, but often imprecise. Then comes the next phase—the learning, the refinement, the humanizing process. As we grow more skilled, we start using controlled vocabularies Boolean operators, and Terms & Connectors to sculpt our queries with precision. We might even engage with AI-powered tools or Large Language Models that can parse meaning, context, and nuance—much like Shelley’s creature learning to manipulate words and master the expression of complex human emotion. This increases the specificity and relevance of our results, and we exclaim: “It’s alive. It’s ALIVE!” The feeling can be electric!
Read moreIt’s Not Just the Law-It’s Your Life:
When most people hear “law,” they imagine courtroom dramas or criminal trials. The truth is, legal issues impact our daily lives much more than we realize—especially civil law. From leases to medical bills, knowing basic legal terms can protect your rights, help you make informed decisions, and prevent costly mistakes.
Read moreCiv Pro: How to Set a Hearing for Your Case
In Texas, there are three basic phases of a civil lawsuit: Pretrial, Trial, and Post-Trial. A “hearing” usually refers to a formal proceeding before a court to resolve a certain issue before a full “court trial,” during which a judge will both decide the facts of a case and apply the law. This post in the Civ Pro series will address questions frequently asked by pro se (self-represented) litigants about setting a hearing for their civil case. Generally, as a pro se litigant, you will be responsible for setting the hearing for your case. The court will not automatically set a hearing for you or notify you of when a hearing has been set.
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