Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · 10h

Right up there with being “admitted to practice in all Texas state courts.”

Raffi Melkonian @rmfifthcircuit.bsky.social · 1d

Went on a firm's website and one of the things they tout on their front page is.... this? I am... puzzled by that claim.

1 19

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · 1d

#SCOTX seems to have quietly discontinued its oral argument summary emails. I relied on those handy advisories to preview upcoming cases and to plan on watching the arguments on YouTube if I could. Sure hope the Court brings this valuable service back. #appellatesky #texappcounsel

1

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · 23d

We had a great conversation with KC Ashmore about life in a small-town practice, lessons from military service, and the value of staying plugged into the bar. He also shared insights on professionalism, mentoring, and why relationships matter in trial and appellate work.

Texas Appellate Law Podcast @texapplawpod.bsky.social · 23d

NEW EPISODE: KC Ashmore joins us to talk about his journey from Coast Guard service to small-town law practice, the role of bar involvement, and why giving back sustains success. #AppellateSky

E155: Breaking Through Obscurity: Building a Law Practice Through Service and Mentorship | KC Ashmore

Building a law practice from scratch requires finding your tribe and embracing the paradigm of giving, says KC Ashmore of Ashmore & Ashmore Law Firm

www.texappcounsel.com

1

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Sep 4

This is an evergreen episode that will resonate with anyone with experience handling appeals in any jurisdiction. We're grateful to Kevin for coming back and sharing his insights. #appellatesky

Texas Appellate Law Podcast @texapplawpod.bsky.social · Sep 4

NEW EPISODE! What does it mean to succeed as an appellate lawyer when wins and losses are often beyond your control? Kevin Dubose joins us to talk about redefining success, counseling clients, and coping with the challenges of appellate practice. #AppellateSky

E154: Confronting the Existential Crisis of Appellate Practice | Kevin Dubose

The basic concept – that appellate lawyers face an existential crisis – came to Kevin Dubose in a dream. In this thought-provoking episode, hosts Todd

www.texappcounsel.com

2

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Aug 26

I often wake up with fresh ideas on how to approach a thorny legal issue. My subconscious apparently does a lot of legal work while I sleep.

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Jul 18

We talked with Joe Stephens about how AI is reshaping legal practice—from transcript analysis in appeals to real-time courtroom use in public defense. We also explored how Texas is starting to regulate AI and what that means for lawyers.

Texas Appellate Law Podcast @texapplawpod.bsky.social · Jul 18

NEW EPISODE: Joe Stephens wears many hats: public defender, law professor, and legal tech consultant. He joins us to talk about how AI is reshaping legal practice and why access to justice depends on getting it right. #AppellateSky

www.texappcounsel.com/2025/07/e153...

2 2

Reposted by D. Todd Smith

Texas Appellate Law Podcast @texapplawpod.bsky.social · Jul 8

Browse, Search, and Subscribe: The Texas Appellate Law Podcast Archive Is Live

All 152 @texapplawpod.bsky.social episodes are now available in one place—with searchable transcripts, in-browser listening, and easy subscription options. #appellatesky

Browse, Search, and Subscribe: The Texas Appellate Law Podcast Archive Is Live

After months of behind-the-scenes work, I’m excited to share that the complete archive of the Texas Appellate Law Podcast—all 152 episodes to date—is now

www.texappcounsel.com

1 1

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Jul 3

I’ve hit the six-month mark in my solo appellate practice. I share a few thoughts—plus a Law360 Pulse interview—on the Texas Appellate Counsel blog.
#AppellateSky

Six Months of "Seeing Around Corners" in My New Solo Practice

It's hard to believe, but Texas Appellate Counsel PLLC has been open for six months now. When I returned to solo practice in January, I was excited to

www.texappcounsel.com

1

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Jun 26

We had a great conversation with Janet and Vince about how their team helps trial and appellate lawyers nationwide. This episode is worth a listen for any lawyer looking to streamline their briefing process.

Texas Appellate Law Podcast @texapplawpod.bsky.social · Jun 26

NEW EPISODE! What does Counsel Press really do? More than you think. We talk with Janet Bennett and Vince Wiscovitch about support services for busy appellate and trial lawyers, from filings to formatting to ghostwriting and beyond. #AppellateSky

www.texappcounsel.com/2025/06/e152...

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Jun 12

We didn't let audio challenges deter us from having a great conversation that covered these topics, as well as the importance of mentorship and the relaunch of the State Bar Appellate Secton's flagship publication, The Appellate Advocate. #appellatesky

Texas Appellate Law Podcast @texapplawpod.bsky.social · Jun 12

NEW EPISODE! Great legal writing isn’t just talent—it’s teachable. In our latest episode, law professor and appellate lawyer Christina Crozier shares practical writing tips, thoughts on AI in the classroom, and how she’s helping to prepare tomorrow’s advocates. #AppellateSky

E151: Teaching the Next Generation of Legal Writers | Christina Crozier

"If everyone can take out the fancy words from their language, we would all do better—law students and seasoned professionals alike." That observation

www.texappcounsel.com

1

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Jun 5

Great getting back behind the mic with @jodyssanders.bsky.social today for a new @texapplawpod.bsky.social episode slated for release next week. Meanwhile, please enjoy an animated version of what we look like when recording, courtesy of our production software. #appellatesky

1 3

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Jun 4

Some Dallas friends dropped off Slovacek's kolaches on their way through town. Little slices of heaven from West, Texas.

3

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · May 29

I recently needed to find the pre-amendment text of a Texas statute and learned how useful the “Statutes by Date” tool is. Other online resources also make tracking down previous versions much easier than it once was. #appellatesky
www.texappcounsel.com/2025/05/how-...

How to Find Superseded Texas Statutes

Have you ever delved into a Texas statute only to discover that it was recently amended and the former version is what you need? That happened to me

www.texappcounsel.com

1

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · May 1

We had a great time talking with @txappellateatty.bsky.social on this week’s @texapplawpod.bsky.social episode. We covered everything from voir dire to error preservation to arguing in the Texas Supreme Court … plus a war story involving a SCOTUS filing during Winter Storm Uri. ❄️📬 #appellatesky

Texas Appellate Law Podcast @texapplawpod.bsky.social · May 1

🎙️ NEW EPISODE! Dylan Russell (@txappellateatty.bsky.social) of Sorrels Law shares how he balances life as a trial and appellate lawyer—and why there's real power in doing both. From voir dire to SCOTX arguments, he walks the line with purpose. #AppellateSky

www.texappcounsel.com/2025/05/e149...

E149: Straddling the Line Between Trial Work and Appellate Practice | Dylan Russell

“There's never any point at which I would have to say, ‘Well, I'm only going to do trial work now’ or ‘I'm only going to do appellate work,’” Dylan

www.texappcounsel.com

1 2

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Apr 26

🎙️We’re celebrating @texapplawpod.bsky.social's upcoming 150th episode with a $50 Amazon gift card giveaway.

Enter by sending in an appellate-related question by email or audio. Details in the post below.

Texas Appellate Law Podcast @texapplawpod.bsky.social · Apr 26

We're doing something fun to celebrate our 150th episode!

Send in your question by AUDIO for a chance to win BOTH the Amazon gift card AND a Texas Appellate Law Podcast-branded tumbler!

Email: [email protected]
Audio: www.speakpipe.com/TexAppLawPod...

#AppellateSky

2

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Apr 25

I spoke on supersedeas issues yesterday at the TexasBarCLE Collections & Creditors’ Rights Course. Read my key takeaways and access my full slide deck here. #appellatesky

My Supersedeas Presentation to Creditors' Counsel

This week, I had the privilege of presenting at the 23rd Annual Collections & Creditors’ Rights Course hosted by TexasBarCLE in Houston. My session,

www.texappcounsel.com

3

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Apr 22

A great way to end the day!

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Apr 17

I enjoyed visiting with @arnolditkin.bsky.social's Andrew Gould. We talked about bridging the trial/appellate divide, how appellate lawyers can support litigation strategy, and the value of transparency. He also shared one of the most practical war stories we’ve heard in a while. 🎧 #appellatetsky

Texas Appellate Law Podcast @texapplawpod.bsky.social · Apr 17

NEW EPISODE! From federal prosecutor to building a plaintiffs' appellate practice from scratch, Andrew Gould shares lessons from the Fifth Circuit, trial strategy insights, and why “the cake is baked” on appeal. #AppellateSky

www.texappcounsel.com/2025/04/e148...

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Apr 15

If only an option like this were available for the other 16 Texas appellate courts. #AppellateSky

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Apr 2

#AppellateSky

1 3

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Mar 31

Hard to believe I'm already three months into my new solo practice. I'm grateful to have heard from so many friends and colleagues since the move.

For anyone curious about my new gig, here's a sneak peek of an ad that will run in the next issue of Austin Lawyer.

#texappcounsel

1 3

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Mar 27

Finally got around to getting some firm-branded printing done. About the only people I hand business cards out to any more are court reporters at hearings. #texappcounsel

3

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Mar 23

Texas lawyers: The Greenbook is being updated—and the Texas Law Review wants your input.

Got thoughts on citing the 15th Court of Appeals (or anything else Texas-citation related)?

Deadline: April 9.

For details, visit www.texappcounsel.com/2025/03/an-o....

#AppellateSky

An Opportunity to Help Shape the Next Edition of The Greenbook

If you’re a Texas practitioner with strong opinions about citation form, now's your chance to be heard. The Texas Law Review Editorial Board is gathering

www.texappcounsel.com

3 2

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Mar 21

D. Todd Smith @dtoddsmith.bsky.social · Mar 20

In this episode (our 146th!), @jodyssanders.bsky.social and I mark 5 years of talking about appellate law and lots of other topics. We also test the waters with a mailbag segment, with
@kvptexas.bsky.social providing the first submission. #appellatesky

Texas Appellate Law Podcast @texapplawpod.bsky.social · Mar 20

NEW EPISODE! Behind the Mic: Five Years of the Texas Appellate Law Podcast. #appellatesky

www.texappcounsel.com/2025/03/behi...

3