Hicks Thomas Attorney Defends Client in Zoom Trial in Houston Civil Court

HOUSTON – Hicks Thomas trial lawyer Jay Old represented a client in the first Zoom video-conferencing trial in Harris County District Court, an experience that is on the rise across the country.

Mr. Old, a seasoned defense lawyer and partner with litigation firm Hicks Thomas LLP, represented insurer Texas Fair Plan Association in a dispute involving fees related to insurance litigation that had been resolved.

Texas Lawyer reported on the novelty and growing trend of video-conferenced trials in an April 21 article headlined, “Now Trending in Texas: Full-Blown Bench Trials Via Zoom.”

Mr. Old didn’t shy away from the technologically new opportunity, the result of extreme measures to stop the spread of coronavirus, including closing courthouses.

“As a lawyer, I embrace any ideas and judicial procedures that allow my clients to get justice and resolve their legal matters more quickly,” Mr. Old told Texas Lawyer. “I think trying a case this way will be exciting and challenging. I look forward to it.”

Although there have been many video-conferenced hearings, actual trials are still unusual. Harris County District Judge Beau Miller presided in the Hicks Thomas case.

The case is Adil Ahmed v. Texas Fair Plan Association, Cause No. 2016-09336, filed in the 190th Judicial District of Harris County.