The Law of Impeachment - a digital exhibit from the Harris County Law Library

The legal history of impeachment is on display at the Harris County Law Library and online as a digital exhibit. Learn about the sources of law useful for researching the impeachment process, and historical cases of impeachment under both the U.S. and Texas Constitutions. The exhibit features works from the Law Library’s historical collection, including an original 1868 printing by the U.S. Government Publishing Office of the record of proceedings in the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson. You can also find a copy of Record of Proceedings of the High Court of Impeachment on the Trial of Hon. James Ferguson, Governor, which has been a part of the Law Library’s collection for over 100 years and chronicles the only case of impeachment against a sitting governor of Texas.

Plan your visit to see “The Law of Impeachment” exhibit at our downtown Houston location or visit our website to view the digital exhibit today!

Latest & Greatest - Don’t Let Dementia Steal Everything: Avoid Mistakes, Save Money, and Take Control

By Kerry Peck and Rick L. Law

Published by American Bar Association. Senior Lawyers Division.

KF 3803 .D46 P43 2018

Photo Credit: Helen Hartman

Alzheimer’s disease is downright terrifying. Sadly, millions (yes, millions) of people are dealing with the physical and mental consequences of this disease every day. Because much of the focus surrounding this illness is on the physical symptoms that ravage its victims, there is a tendency to overlook the legal consequences that are all too real. To assist with an understanding of some of the legal issues faced by those suffering from dementia, attorneys Kerry Peck and Rick L. Law have written Don’t Let Dementia Steal Everything: Avoid Mistakes, Save Money, and Take Control, a guide to help one understand the issues associated with the diagnosis and find some answers and the right legal advice. 

The preliminary chapters describe briefly some of the issues to consider when someone receives a diagnosis of dementia. There is a general discussion of Alzheimer’s disease and its course and progression and a discussion of how to find an attorney who understands the specific issues of dementia. The succeeding chapters focus on some of those specific issues, such as advance directives, Medicare and nursing home Medicaid, nursing home contracts, guardianship, and at-home caregiving. The authors have also included a chapter addressing financial exploitation from scammers and family members. The to-do checklists in the chapters are especially useful. 

Don’t Let Dementia Steal Everything: Avoid Mistakes, Save Money, and Take Control is a great resource for those seeking assistance and guidance with taking care of the legal issues for those suffering from dementia.

Latest & Greatest – Being Heard: Presentation Skills for Attorneys

By Faith Pincus

Published by American Bar Association

KF 300 .P56 2018

Photo Credit: Helen Hartman

Does the idea of speaking in front of a group of people turn your knees to jelly and cause you to sweat like a cold beer sitting out in the Houston sun? If so, take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. However, public speaking, like legal research or writing, is a key competency for attorneys because there is a good chance that, at some point in your career, you will have to speak in public, whether it be to a group of colleagues at a CLE session or to a trial judge. So, take a deep breath, relax, and read Being Heard: Presentation Skills for Attorneys by Faith Pincus.  

Advocating her AMI™ method of public speaking, Ms. Pincus, an experienced public speaker, trainer, and attorney, launches into a discussion of how to improve presentation skills by keeping the three key principles of audience, message, and image/delivery at the forefront. She explains why the audience matters and describes how to create a memorable message for that audience. She also talks about the importance of the image you are projecting and the style of your delivery. 

While the first part of the book is applicable to anyone looking to improve her presentation skills, the second part of the book addresses attorney-related speaking situations, such as oral arguments, opening statements, and closing arguments. There is even a chapter on media relations. 

Still nervous and anxious? Have a look at chapter eight where the author discusses overcoming your fear. (Hint: it involves more than simply picturing your audience in their undergarments). There, Ms. Pincus provides some practical ways to manage and face your fear. 

If you are looking to improve your presentation skills, be sure to have a look at Being Heard: Presentation Skills for Attorneys.