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April 28, 2006

The Marshall Metropolis

I am very happy that Doug and Matt have forced me into a blogging career (this is even despite the giant picture of me posted below). In fact, for the past few years it seems I have been a traitor to my generation by failing to start my own blog or even open a MySpace account. Because you only have your first blog once, there was enormous pressure on what subject to cover. All in all, it became clear that my first subject had to be the one subject near and dear to my heart....Texas.

It is amazing what an infestation of patent litigators can do to a sleepy east Texas town. Attorneys from all over the world are crawling into the Marshall federal courthouse to try their luck in big time, high dollar patent cases and big media (i.e. the Austin American Statesman) is starting to take notice.

U.S. District Judge T. John Ward is the head honcho spurring the cattle drive of cases through the system. The hype of the Eastern District of Texas is growing so big you can now check out a blog strictly devoted to its issues with an almost daily update providing a who’s who (or at least who’s right now) of patent litigation. Is Marshall being booked faster than Vegas because of accommodating juries siding with the little guy?  Or is this gold rush all for its rocket docket?

Regardless, I am on a mission to help my fellow attorney who is right now shacking up at the local Motel 6 in Marshall. This past week I contacted several Texans I know and asked them to provide personal knowledge of things to see and do that could not be found on the Internet or in guidebooks. Two of the most frequent responses were "are you proposing that there are actually guidebooks for Marshall?" and "does this mean you are moving back to TX?" Answer for both, no. What I have done is scrape together a fun filled Marshall itinerary for Mr. or Ms. P. Litigator to use when it is not possible to drive across the border into Louisiana and catch a flight out.

In order to start your day off right, head over to Southern Maid Donuts off of Highway 80. Although not part of the national chain, this place is known for their kolaches and it is a must for any visitor. Once you are full, move on to Marshall Pottery, known as the number one producer of red clay pots in America. Don’t go diggin’ into your 401(k) there, because it’s time to take a mini gambling road trip to Shreveport (less than an hour away...and that’s dangerous). Before leaving Marshall though, fill up on lunch with the HUGE burgers served up at Jucy’s on Highway 80 just east of Highway 59.

Your other options for the afternoon are cruising the local mall, (noted by one response as "dead, but still a mall"), or checking out the local Supercenter to answer the question of whether all Walmart’s look alike on the inside. Also, the movie theater boasts very cheap tickets which may surprise some big city attorneys.

Follow up your afternoon with dinner at Lupe’s Mexican Restaurant on Highway 59 between Highway 80 and the mall. Be sure to ask for Shirley and tell her hello from Roni and me.

If Marshall continues to be this hotbed of patent activity, you may see my face around the courthouse. If so, let’s meet for a beer, and I will fill you in on the many other places to see and be seen. Until then, you are on your own.

Posted by Laura Wood at 12:30 PM.
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