Lawrence Barber, who practiced in Odessa for 58 years and developed a fierce reputation for battling hard for his clients in court, died Dec. 12 of COVID-19. Barber likely contracted COVID-19 in early November from one of his criminal-defense clients, who was brought from the local jail to the Ector County Courthouse for a pretrial …
Category: News
Racism and discrimination in the Texas legal profession
During the summer of 2020, Texas attorneys became enraged over comments that State Bar of Texas President Larry McDougal made on Facebook about Black Lives Matter and other topics. The fiasco launched a wide discussion about ongoing issues of racism, sexism and discrimination in the legal profession. Lawyers pushed for reform, and the Texas Bar …
The Persecution of Alfred Brown: Texas AG, Police Conspired to Punish Innocent Man
I did a Texas Public Information Act request that revealed that the Houston Police Officers’ Union in a June letter urged the Texas comptroller’s office and attorney general’s to deny wrongful-incarceration compensation to a man who was wrongfully convicted of murdering a police officer. The records also showed that high-level executive staff in both offices …
About Angela Morris, Austin-based multimedia journalist
I am an Austin, Texas-based multimedia journalist with a passion for covering stories about social justice, gender equity, diversity and inclusion, working parents, mental health and more. I’m primarily a reporter and writer, but also have skills in podcast hosting, videography, photography and web production. Currently, as the Texas litigation reporter for ALM Media, I …
Women Push for Lactation Rooms in Courthouses
By Angela Morris (law.com, March 12, 2019) In courthouses across the country lawyer moms still have no option but to express their breast milk in public bathrooms, where they face frequent interruptions and unsanitary conditions. But some women lawyers are pushing to change the lack of breastfeeding accommodations in courthouses. They’ve succeeded in getting the American Bar …
I’m launching AMorrisReports Monthly, an email newsletter
Click here to subscribe to AMorrisReports Monthly, an email newsletter featuring summaries and links to my recent stories. I’ll note upcoming events or developments that warrant updates, and alternative angles for future coverage. If you’re an editor and you’re interested in my stories, please contact me. Also reach out if you’re a source or communications professional …
Grassroots ‘Black Lives’ Program Grows at Law Schools
By Angela Morris (Law.com, Feb. 17, 2019) As part of the trend in “movement” lawyering, nearly 20 law schools across the country are part of Law for Black Lives, a grassroots program focused on racial and social justice. The New York-based nonprofit network is made of up about 5,000 lawyers that launched in 2015 and …
The Wedding Planner
By Angela Morris (Texas Lawyer, March 2, 2015) Attorneys who watched the tornado of legal arguments surrounding the state’s first legal same-sex marriage said that the newlyweds’ counsel “beautifully” executed a creative legal strategy to help their clients tie the knot. Austin lawyer Chuck Herring, partner in Herring & Irwin, handled the case pro bono …
See for Yourself: The New Robert Mueller Action Figure
By Angela Morris (law.com, Jan. 15, 2019) In the past, when a Brooklyn-based toy company created action figures of popular politicians—for example, Bernie Sanders or Ruth Bader Ginsburg—it found the real-life person and gave a gift of one of the dolls. But FCTRY will likely skip the step this week when it releases a new …
Survivor mentality: Law firms are seeking out professionals to hold active shooter drills
By Angela Morris (ABA Journal, December 2018) Last year, a Houston lawyer went to Las Vegas to attend a country music festival but came home a survivor of a tragic type of mass violence that has become all too common in modern America. When a gunman opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at the Route …