Crain Caton & James

🎄✨ Happy Holidays from all of us at Crain Caton & James! ✨🎄 As we celebrate this festive season, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our clients, colleagues, and community for your trust and partnership. May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and cherished moments with loved ones. Here's to a bright and prosperous New Year ahead! Warmest wishes, The Crain Caton & James Team

Crain Caton & James Spreads Holiday Cheer with Adopt-an-Angel Program This holiday season, the Crain Caton & James team proudly embraced the spirit of giving by supporting the Houston Young Lawyers Foundation’s Adopt-an-Angel Program. The Firm adopted 69 angels, bringing joy and goodies to local children in need. Each child prepared a wish list filled with their heartfelt holiday wishes, and our dedicated “elves” stepped in to make those wishes come true. The elves, composed of generous Crain Caton & James attorneys and employees, worked tirelessly to purchase and wrap each gift, ensuring that these children would experience the season's warmth. Some of the hottest items on our angels’ lists included Barbies, princesses, Hello Kitty, any kind of ball, scooters, racetracks, and remote-controlled cars. Our elves were thrilled to fulfill these wishes, spreading extra holiday cheer through these much-loved gifts. Trey Gifford, the attorney who led the effort at the Firm, shared, “It’s incredibly rewarding to see our team come together each year to support the Adopt-an-Angel program. Knowing that our contributions help make the holidays brighter for children in need is truly special.” We are grateful to be part of such an impactful initiative and proud to make a difference in the lives of these children. Through our collective efforts, the Firm and other law firms brightened holiday spirits and demonstrated the true meaning of community support and giving. Happy Holidays from Crain Caton & James! https://lnkd.in/g7bxgvEy

Its often a challenge to explain the difference between ownership of a tangible work of authorship (sculpture, painting, book, document, photograph) and the associated, but separate, copyright. Copyright is an intangible ownership interest in the original expression fixed in the tangible medium. So, the purchaser can own the photograph - perhaps even of their own family - but can lack ownership (unless likewise transferred) of the copyright and therefore the right to reproduce. Relevant story today in the news - tangible media (tapes) purchased by chance containing recordings of Michael Jackson and others. The estate of Michael Jackson has communicated to the owner of the tapes that, while the estate has no interest in the tapes, the possessor of the tapes cannot reproduce, make derivatives, distribute copies or phonorecords, perform by digital audio transmission or exercise other exclusive rights of the copyright owner. https://lnkd.in/eh_iBcMu

Crain Caton & James is pleased to announce the addition of Noelle McCullough as an associate in the Family Law practice area. With a strong academic background and a passion for family law rooted in personal experience, Noelle brings a unique perspective and extensive skill set to the firm. Noelle earned her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center and holds a B.B.A., summa cum laude, from Pace University in New York. She is a member of the Texas Bar Association and the Houston Bar Association, where she is actively involved in the Family Law Section. Noelle has demonstrated her proficiency in drafting legal documents throughout all phases of divorce proceedings. Her comprehensive approach includes analyzing financial statements and marital estates, conducting detailed legal research, and preparing for trial and mediation. She has also completed specialized mediation training, enhancing her ability to facilitate constructive resolutions for her clients. “Noelle’s combination of professional expertise and personal understanding of family dynamics makes her an invaluable addition to our team,” said Sherri Evans, a shareholder in the Family Law practice area at Crain Caton & James. “Her empathetic approach and commitment to her clients will undoubtedly contribute to positive outcomes in challenging situations.” In addition to her legal practice, Noelle has engaged in various scholarly activities, including serving as a constitutional law teaching assistant during her time in law school. Her dedication to the field has also been recognized through multiple awards, including the Ann D. Forman Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Women in Law and the Frank G. Evans Mediation Award. https://lnkd.in/grZgCS7F

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Crain Caton & James! 🍁 We are grateful for our clients, colleagues, and community. Wishing you a joyful day filled with family, friends, and gratitude. *Please note: Our offices will be closed Thursday. 🦃 #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #CrainCatonJames

Jessica Guobadia, a shareholder at Crain Caton & James, was recently recognized as an Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney by the Lone Star Legal Aid 2024 Pro Bono Awards for her dedication to providing guardianship services pro bono to indigent residents of Montgomery County. A member of the Firm’s Probate, Trust and Guardianship, and Fiduciary Litigation Groups, Jessica has handled numerous cases involving vulnerable individuals, ensuring they receive the legal protection and care they need. Her commitment to these cases, despite the demands of her busy practice, has had a meaningful impact on the community. https://lnkd.in/guf7x5wh

Non-Compete Agreements: What Employers Need to Know Now In this video, Kimberly Stuart breaks down the current status of the FTC’s proposed ban on non-compete agreements and what it means for employers. While the ban would generally make non-competes illegal—except in cases involving the sale of a business—the Fifth Circuit has temporarily halted this regulation. The future of non-competes could shift depending on the next White House administration or court decisions on constitutionality. For now, Kimberly advises employers to approach non-competes carefully, but not to abandon them altogether. #CrainCatonJames #EmploymentLaw #NonCompeteAgreements #LegalUpdates #noncompete #FTC

HOUSTON, November 7, 2024– Crain Caton & James is pleased to announce that it was ranked by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in 21 practice areas, 4 national and 17 metropolitan rankings - Houston for 2025. According to U.S. News, firms included “are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.” We appreciate this vote of confidence from our clients and peers. See below for the complete listing: National Rankings Litigation - Environmental (Tier 2) Environmental Law (Tier 3) Litigation - Construction (Tier 3) Litigation - Real Estate (Tier 3)   Metropolitan Rankings - Houston Tier 1  Commercial Litigation Litigation - Construction Litigation - Environmental Litigation - Labor and Employment Litigation - Patent Litigation - Real Estate Litigation - Trusts and Estates Environmental Law Family Law Real Estate Law Trusts and Estates   Tier 2  Banking and Finance Law   Tier 3  Corporate Law Elder Law Employment Law - Management Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants Tax Law https://lnkd.in/evXjWNPQ

We are thrilled to announce that Noelle McCullough has been officially sworn in as an attorney in Texas by Judge Sonya Heath in the 310th Judicial District Court of Harris County. Noelle has joined Crain Caton & James as an attorney in our Family Law section. Noelle’s blend of professional ability and personal insight positions her as a compassionate advocate in family law. This significant milestone marks the beginning of what we are confident will be a successful and impactful legal career. Please join us in congratulating Noelle on this achievement and wishing her all the best as she embarks on her journey in the legal profession! https://lnkd.in/gTnWTN7i

At Crain Caton & James, we believe in the power of literacy to transform lives and strengthen communities. That’s why we were excited to participate in the HBA Lawyers for Literacy Committee’s Book Drive, and we are proud to share the results of our efforts! Thanks to the generosity of our contributors, we collected seven overflowing boxes of books! These donations include an incredible array of titles suitable for all school-aged children, ensuring that young readers can access stories that inspire and educate. Mindy M. Riseden, a Shareholder at Crain Caton & James, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “Literacy is a fundamental building block for success. We are proud to support this initiative and help ignite a love for reading in the next generation.” Thanks to everyone, especially Victoria and Chris Winiecki, who contributed to this meaningful initiative. Your support makes a difference! https://lnkd.in/eEQNPx5y