Texas Appellate Counsel | Helping trial lawyers win through innovative strategy, persuasive briefing, and compelling advocacy statewide.https://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3mcazgmwvci2tA case that settled the weekend before voir dire revealed how the Texas Business Court is preparing to handle jury trials: early issue resolution, compressed timelines, and real trial readiness. It also showed where embedded appellate counsel can add value. #AppellateSky https://www.texappcounsel.com/2026/01/almost-legal-history-the-texas-business-courts-first-jury-trial-that-wasnt/12 Jan 2026 21:49 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcazgmwvci2thttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3m6poukefps2hThis is fun. Me: 1. Rush (x2) 2. U2 (x2) 3. NIN/Soundgarden (together) 4. Linkin Park/Bad Omens (together) 5. Rolling Stones [contains quote post or other embedded content]28 Nov 2025 20:09 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6poukefps2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3m6krfgcu2s2kIf you practice before or follow #SCOTX, here's something to check out while prepping your Thanksgiving turkey. A big rules overhaul is coming January 1. In this episode, @jodyssanders.bsky.social and I walk through what's changing and why. #appellatesky [contains quote post or other embedded content]26 Nov 2025 21:11 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6krfgcu2s2khttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3m5tq27y5dk2gToday's vibe.17 Nov 2025 17:16 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5tq27y5dk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3m5c7fbqzxs2zRunning a solo appellate practice means I need ways to pressure-test theories and expose blind spots fast. AI has become that tireless second chair—it accelerates my analysis while I retain judgment and accountability. The latter part is still up to me, and I don't see that changing any time soon. https://www.texappcounsel.com/2025/11/ai-as-a-second-chair-in-my-practice-what-it-adds-and-what-it-cant-replace/10 Nov 2025 18:02 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5c7fbqzxs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3m4duuno2no2nYou missed the signed order. The jurisdictional deadline passed. Even diligent lawyers hit this trap—until now. Texas launched automatic case notifications October 1. Every attorney of record gets alerts on orders, motions, filings. Details on what changed here. https://www.texappcounsel.com/2025/10/no-more-missed-orders-texas-launches-statewide-case-notices/29 Oct 2025 16:34 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4duuno2no2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3m3x55c4cmm2mA client's bankruptcy lawyer cited my podcast as proof I'm qualified to serve as appellate counsel in a big case. The judge's next question made me laugh: "Does that make you more qualified if you have a podcast?" I've handled countless appeals, but apparently the podcast sealed it. #appellatesky24 Oct 2025 14:57 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3x55c4cmm2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3m2xj2v77us2xRight up there with being “admitted to practice in all Texas state courts.” [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 Oct 2025 01:06 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2xj2v77us2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3m2umv3puph2e#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 #texappcounsel10 Oct 2025 21:36 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2umv3puph2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lz4skojs6c2wWe 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. [contains quote post or other embedded content]18 Sep 2025 16:49 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lz4skojs6c2whttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lxzj2fho722lThis 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 [contains quote post or other embedded content]04 Sep 2025 15:55 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxzj2fho722lhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lxcnewrix42fI 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.26 Aug 2025 13:41 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxcnewrix42fhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lub33loeu22uWe 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. [contains quote post or other embedded content]18 Jul 2025 18:26 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lub33loeu22uhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lt3qf7rgnf2pI’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 https://www.texappcounsel.com/2025/07/six-months-of-seeing-around-corners-in-my-new-solo-practice/03 Jul 2025 22:06 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lt3qf7rgnf2phttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lsjepnfi3k2aWe 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. [contains quote post or other embedded content]26 Jun 2025 14:49 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsjepnfi3k2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lrgfmjl4g224We 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 [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 Jun 2025 17:02 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrgfmjl4g224https://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lqvdf3ahnl2wGreat 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. #appellatesky05 Jun 2025 22:07 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqvdf3ahnl2whttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lqrvmsnd3c2qSome Dallas friends dropped off Slovacek's kolaches on their way through town. Little slices of heaven from West, Texas.04 Jun 2025 13:23 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqrvmsnd3c2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lqcrnobs6y2iI 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 https://www.texappcounsel.com/2025/05/how-to-find-superseded-texas-statutes/29 May 2025 13:02 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqcrnobs6y2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lo4sol7qgk2rWe 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 [contains quote post or other embedded content]01 May 2025 17:14 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lo4sol7qgk2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lnq3nquqa22e🎙️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. [contains quote post or other embedded content]26 Apr 2025 15:50 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnq3nquqa22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lnnf4qotim2gI spoke on supersedeas issues yesterday at the TexasBarCLE Collections & Creditors’ Rights Course. Read my key takeaways and access my full slide deck here. #appellatesky https://www.texappcounsel.com/2025/04/my-supersedeas-presentation-to-creditors-counsel/25 Apr 2025 14:01 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnnf4qotim2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lngpcs6ozp2sA great way to end the day!22 Apr 2025 22:15 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lngpcs6ozp2shttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lmzno4rz222xI 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 [contains quote post or other embedded content]17 Apr 2025 17:41 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmzno4rz222xhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lmuns3pvts2oIf only an option like this were available for the other 16 Texas appellate courts. #AppellateSky15 Apr 2025 18:00 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmuns3pvts2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lltnl4a5wv2i#AppellateSky02 Apr 2025 14:58 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lltnl4a5wv2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3lloezjiht22mHard 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. #texappcounsel31 Mar 2025 12:41 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3lloezjiht22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/dtoddsmith.bsky.social/post/3llff4uradk2oFinally 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. #texappcounsel27 Mar 2025 22:49 +0000at://did:plc:bmnr6stemoaef74d4lprvshy/app.bsky.feed.post/3llff4uradk2o