Transparency is a hallmark of Texas government. The attorneys at Coveler & Peeler, have years of experience assisting our governmental clients live up to the high Open Government standards established by Texas law while also helping them legally protect their confidential information.
Our lawyers have developed a proficient knowledge of open records laws and procedures ranging from routine responses to requests under the Public Information Act to protecting Emergency Medical Services patient records in District court. We have assisted clients in securing rulings from the Texas Attorney General on highly technical provisions of the Public Information Act in response to complicated or voluminous requests from political groups and the press. When the need arises we also help our clients avail themselves of their ability to use the Public Information Act to access information held by other regulated public entities.
Our clients also depend on our assistance in the related field of records management. We ensure that our clients have the proper policies and procedures in place to meet the requirements of the Texas Local Government Records Act and schedules promulgated by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
We have dedicated ourselves to local governments and state agencies regarding their obligations under the Texas Open Meetings Act. The people of Texas have the right to know what their government does and how it spends their tax funds, but the local and state governments also have limited rights to conduct closed meetings in order to protect the government’s interests. We help the governing boards stay on the right side of the law when Open Meetings questions arise.