D. Todd Smith

A 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. #appellatetwitter texappcounsel.com/2026/01/almost…

NEW EPISODE: We flip the script and explore how Texas appellate courts could improve the practitioner experience—from docketing statements and briefing timelines to mandamus denials and transparency. #appellatetwitter texappcounsel.com/2026/02/e162-f…

@kcashmore1 I’m also in the club whose members celebrate birthdays their own fathers never had. Keep on keeping on!

Friends today I’m 53 today. I’ve gotten to another milestone for me, “beating the old man” (outliving my Dad)! Some of yall know that story. He got out of the Army and basically quit fitness and within a pretty short period of time, had a massive heart attack, which called him to glory before he was 53. So reaching the “ripe old age of 53” is a big deal for me! And an even bigger deal is the absolute commitment to long term fitness and health! I’ve transformed my whole life over the last 2 years being on this team. I’ve lost 50 pounds and kept it off. I’ve dropped the drink (first for a health challenge-dry January) and then later for good because I just don’t want it anymore. I’m jacked about the success I have now more than the glass of cheer I used to share on Fridays with “the gang.” In the last year I’ve run 2 marathons, summited the two highest mountains in Texas (approximately 7900 and 8900 feet each) done numbers of workouts of many miles running! I’m grateful for the opportunity & support my family, friends, Coaches, social media Crewe (that’s you guys) have given me because it made that dormant desire to get me back to fitness grow! In 2019 I was a regular runner and gym member, and had a big motorbike crash in February 2020 9,000 miles from home-broke my back, foot, and my hand. It took me a long time to rehab (covid shutdown when I got home, so PT on YouTube or with one of my best friends Doc Rannigan a former Navy Corpsman who wasn’t even in medical care any longer, just willing to help during that time). It took a long time to get back to health and I’m so grateful for the support, encouragement, and persistent commitment back from my Coach (Russ Yeager/ Miranda Hyvl) & this team! Know your limits? You Have NO Limits (except those which you set for yourself). Take the governor off the engine, & hit the throttle! Thanks for being part of my team & for the privilege of being on your team!!! Happy Friday! LFG!!!

I had a great time sitting down with @dtoddsmith and @jodyssanders for the @TexAppLawPod. Check out the episode.

#texaslawyers #appellatetwitter

The summary judgment rule changes hit March 1. The new petition-for-review rule is already in effect. Our YouTube channel covers both. We're also rolling out episodes from our back catalog so you can catch up on past conversations anytime. 1/2 @TexAppLawPod/featured" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@TexAppLawPod/…

ChatGPT thinks I'm a tech executive.

@JimBartlett @DataRepublican @SteveRob Tragic.

@DataRepublican @SteveRob Arnold & Itkin is a prominent plaintiffs' PI firm in Houston.

🚨 Private jet crashed in Maine belonged to top anti-ICE / anti-Trump lawyers who defended illegal aliens; all passengers presumed dead. Here's what we know: - A 2020 Bombardier CL-600 Challenger belonging to KTKJ Challenger LLC crashed on takeoff last night at Bangor International Airport @ 7:45 amid heavy snow. - Booms could be heard throughout the area and a reported eight travelers are presumed dead. - The LLC is registered to Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnold, two trial attorneys who've made waves fighting conservatives in Texas and defending illegal aliens. It is not known whether Itkin and Arnold were on board or why they were in Maine. - The Texas Voice has reported: "Along with George Soros and other personal injury trial lawyers, both the Arnold & Itkin and Abraham Watkins law firms were major donors to the left-wing First Tuesday PAC during the 2024 election cycle... First Tuesday was responsible for a multi-million dollar ad campaign that encouraged voters to “Stop MAGA Republicans” and “Vote For Every Democrat.” The Arnold & Itkin and Abraham Watkins law firms each donated $300,000 to First Tuesday in support of their efforts to elect Democrats in 2024."

I've had two state-court appeals docket-equalized from 3rd Court (Austin) to the 8th Court (El Paso) recently. That strikes me as odd, considering how much of the 3rd Court's former docket has moved over to the new 15th Court. #appellatetwitter

New Rule 166a rewrites summary judgment practice in Texas. Timelines run from MSJ filing, not the hearing. The comment period ends February 28, and the rule goes into effect March 1. Commentary from @jodyssanders and me here. #appellatetwitter texappcounsel.com/2026/01/e160-a…

On this week’s ⁦@TexAppLawPod⁩, ⁦@dtoddsmith⁩ and I break down Texas’s new proposed summary judgment rules. The comment period is still open so give them your thoughts! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tex…

I guess I’m a USC fan now. Congrats @FBCoachP!

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@FrogPreacher @JClarkHFB247 @TheFrogCastTCU Kept seeing this and couldn’t resist signing up.

Frog Fans! Right now you can get 50% off an annual membership over at HornedFrogBlitz. You'll get the inside scoop on portal visitors and commits before anyone else, and be a part of the largest community of Horned Frogs on the internet. Sign up today: secure.247sports.com/college/tcu/jo…

Always a great day to be a Horned Frog!

NEW EPISODE: We’re joined by Arturo Ayala of Court Surety Bond Agency for a practical discussion of supersedeas bonds—from timing and underwriting to collateral options, premiums, and what happens when a judgment is affirmed. #appellatetwitter texappcounsel.com/2025/12/e158-s…

@jodyssanders @SupremeCourt_TX

If you practice before or follow #SCOTX, here's something to check out while prepping your Thanksgiving turkey. In this episode, @jodyssanders and I break down @SupremeCourt_TX's revamped petition-for-review system, including the new word count limit, the mandatory introduction, the shift to a one-step grant decision, and the future of response waivers and vacation letters. We also cover how the new process affects timing, briefing, and strategy. A big rules overhaul is coming January 1, and this episode walks through what’s changing and why. #appellatetwitter

We're kicking off Thanksgiving weekend a little early with a new episode on an issue critical to #SCOTX practitioners. Stand by! #appellatetwitter