In TBJ: Local Justice a Violin Virtuoso

Justice Brett Busby, 14th Texas Court of Appeals

Justice Brett Busby’s name often appears in the pages of the Texas legal community’s newspapers and magazines next to quotes and facts about his successful legal and judicial career.* But in the February 2016 issue of Texas Bar Journal, Justice Busby is featured for his musical talent.  In the interview, he recounts an invitation he received from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to play his violin while clerking for the Court. More recently, Justice Busby performs with the Houston Civic Symphony, which holds five concerts a year. He is also chair of Artistic & Orchestra Affairs for the Houston Symphony Orchestra, through which he promotes music programs for local school children.

If you would like to read about Justice Busby’s musical endeavors, visit the Texas Bar Journal website for a digital copy or find a printed copy of the journal at the Harris County Law Library.

* See, e.g., John Council, Texas Conservative Leaders Mourn Justice Antonin Scalia, TexasLawyer.com, Feb. 22, 2016.

Latest and Greatest - Credit Repair

By Robin Leonard

Published by Nolo (12th Edition 2015)

HG 3756 .U54 L46 2015

Is bad credit making it impossible for you to get a loan, an apartment, or even a job offer? If so, take a look at Nolo’s Credit Repair for tips on building a positive credit profile. This book will take you step by step through the process of repairing your credit. From the nuts and bolts of credit reports to cleaning up those reports, this resource will help you assess your financial situation and show you how to reduce your current expenses and debt and find ways to satisfy and negotiate the payment of those debts. In addition, the author offers suggestions on how to rebuild, create, and maintain a positive credit history. A chapter is even devoted to avoiding identity theft and the steps you should take if your identity and personal information are stolen.

Credit Repair also includes references to organizations, agencies, and publications that can offer additional information to assist you in the credit repair process. There is a list of federal agencies to which you can submit consumer-related complaints and a list of consumer protection agencies available in each state. Moreover, there are over 30 legal forms that you can use in your efforts to rebuild your credit. Remember, it’s up to you to take the first step for a better financial future. So what are you waiting for? Come to the Harris County Law Library and look for this, and many other titles, in our Self-Help Collection.

Latest and Greatest - U.S. Immigration Made Easy

U.S. Immigration Made Easy

BY Ilona Bray, J.D.

Published by Nolo (17th Edition, 2015)

KF 4819.85 .B72 2015

Did you know the Harris County Law Library has a self-help collection full of easy to understand resources that help self-represented litigants learn about the law? Well, we do, and it features materials published by Nolo, the Houston Bar Association and Texas Young Lawyers Association.

In connection with Immigration Law Resource month, we are proud to feature U.S. Immigration Made Easy, now in its 17th edition from Nolo. This book helps you navigate through the immigration process from staying legally in the U.S. to obtaining a green card or visa. There are chapters that discuss the ways of getting a green card, such as through a family member already residing in the U.S., through a U.S. citizen fiancée, through employment, as an investor, or as an asylum seeker or refugee.

U.S. Immigration Made Easy also explains the visa process and the various types of visas available to non-immigrants and those looking to remain temporarily in the country. This edition also contains new information about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and its eligibility requirements.

If you want to know more about U.S. immigration laws for yourself or you are a new attorney or paralegal who wants to learn more about an unfamiliar area of law, take a look at U.S. Immigration Made Easy.

Latest and Greatest - The Family Lawyer’s Essential Tool Kit

The Family Lawyer’s Essential Tool Kit, 2015 Edition

Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas

KFT 1294 .Z9 F36

Looking for a handy family law reference guide? Look no further than The Family Lawyer’s Essential Tool Kit published by the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. An indispensable resource, the Tool Kit has all of the tools you need to handle every aspect of a family law matter. From the Texas standard possession schedule and tax tables and minimum wage charts for computing child support to trial preparation materials, this resource has it all.

Not sure how to make objections at trial? Don’t worry. The Tool Kit has a handy list. Inside, you can also find an oral deposition reference sheet, evidentiary predicates, presumptions, generic examination outlines of expert witnesses, an outline for attorney’s fees, and information about the enforcement of orders. So, what are you waiting for? Come on down to the Law Library and have a look at one of our newest acquisitions.