Founder Harlow L. Sprouse died Friday, April 5, 2013

A Memorial & Celebration of Life will honor Harlow on Friday, April 12, at 3PM at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home 4100 S. Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Amarillo Little Theater or Amarillo Area CASA.

Harlow’s obituary can be viewed in the Amarillo Globe-News here

The firm will be closed on Friday, April 12th at noon in honor of Harlow

John Massouh, a Shareholder who practices in agricultural law, commercial litigation, bankruptcy and banking, recently made a presentation to members of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association regarding Feedyard Lending and Marketing. The presentation focused on all aspects of feeding and financing of cattle, from practical suggestions to legal hurdles. The Texas Cattle Feeders Association represents cattle feeders and other members in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico and other states working to maintain the credibility of the cattle industry.
Mr. Massouh has built a reputation representing a variety of business clients in disputes, bankruptcies, and litigation.  These include nationally known business failures in the cattle and agricultural industries, one of his main areas of expertise. His primary experience is in the agricultural industry, representing feed yards, farmers and financial institutions in a variety of disputes involving debt collection, cattle care and feeding, lien disputes, and agricultural lending. Mr. Massouh also has extensive experience handling all types of bankruptcy-related litigation, representing many clients, including leading financial institutions and large publicly traded companies, in complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases.

Shareholder Jack Howell recently attended the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) annual convention in Tampa, Florida.  Mr. Howell is a member of the NCBA’s Tax and Credit Committee on appointment to the Committee by the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.   The Tax and Credit Committee assists in guiding the NCBA’s formulation of the tax policies that it will pursue at the national level.  This year the Committee was presented with estate planning possibilities based on the estate and gift tax legislation included in the laws enacted to avoid the “fiscal cliff.” The Committee also considered policies regarding the new taxes imposed by Obamacare.

Kelly Montes, Legal Secretary at Sprouse Shrader Smith,  completed the Rice University Paralegal Graduate Certificate program on March 4, 2013.   The six month course covers legal terminology, Legal analysis, Legal memorandum form, state-specific instruction, federal court structure, states of litigation, Government structure, ethical considerations, court rules, discovery preparation, discovery coordination, pleading preparation, utilization of legal forms, preparing for depositions, deposition digesting, arbitration process, index research, interviewing clients, law-office investigation, legal research skills, bluebook citation form, information advocacy authority identification, & strategies for employment.

Kelly is working for Attorneys Laura Hale, Taylor Kelley and Brad Hickman.

Shareholder Andrew R. Evans attended the Transportation Megaconference XI in New Orleans on March 6-8, 2013.  The Transportation Megaconference was the first and continues to be one of the leading continuing education programs for those involved in all aspects of trucking litigation, providing attendees with practical approaches to transportation litigation, a national forum to learn from the experts, and an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with industry leaders.  Attendees at the conference included lawyers; insurance, claims and risk management professionals; investigators; experts; and trucking company executives.  The program is sponsored by the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association.  Mr. Evans has been an active member of this committee for several years.

“ObamaCare – 50 Questions” is the second installment of Sprouse Shrader Smith’s ObamaCare educational program designed to assist employers with their compliance questions and issues.  A panel of attorneys and insurance professionals will address several compliance issues in light of the most recent regulatory guidance.  The program will also provide opportunites for asking questions both during and after the program.

Sprouse Shrader Smith P.C. will present this program on May 7, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (location to be determined).  There will be lunch provided with two short breaks, one in the morning session and one in the afternoon session.  The cost for this Seminar will be $45.00 and included in the cost is your lunch and materials.

To register for this seminar or for more information, please contact Rhonda Rogers at 806-468-3369 or at rhonda.rogers@sprouselaw.com.  Information is also available on our website at www.sprouselaw.com.  Seating is limited and pre-registration is encouraged.

Due to the large number of reservation requests for the Firm’s upcoming ObamaCare Seminar scheduled for February 14, 2013, we are no longer able to accommodate further reservations.  Please check our Firm’s webpage for upcoming events.  If interested in being placed on the Firm’s mailing list for future labor and employment related programs, please respond to Kendra Schilling at 468-3343 or kendra@sprouselaw.com

John Massouh, a Shareholder who practices in commercial litigation, bankruptcy and banking, and agricultural law, recently made a presentation to a group of local bankers regarding bankruptcy law issues and potential pitfalls involved in a bankruptcy proceeding.  The presentation touched the basic aspects of bankruptcy proceedings under chapters 7, 11, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code.

Mr. Massouh has extensive experience handling all types of bankruptcy-related matters, representing many clients, including leading financial institutions and large publicly traded companies, in complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and chapter 7 and 13 consumer cases. He also has experience in the agricultural industry, representing feed yards, farmers, ranchers, and financial institutions in a variety of disputes involving complex cattle issues, debt collection, cattle care and feeding, lien disputes, farming and ranching disputes, and agricultural lending.

Managing Shareholder Marty Jones will present a lecture titled “GCD Regulation on Groundwater – In the Cold Light of Day” on February 21st in San Antonio.  He will discuss the nature of takings claims as such claims might relate to groundwater regulation by groundwater conservation districts (GCD’s) and some of the circumstances under which GCD’s may become subject to liability for takings.

Mr. Jones has been recognized in Best Lawyers of America, and has been designated as a “Texas Super Lawyer” and as one of the top 50 lawyers in West Texas by Texas Monthly.