Regarding #1, EDTX allows any attorney of any state bar, not just of Texas to be admitted to practice. I live within a 30 minute drive to Marshall, TX. There are plenty of lawyers and attorneys around their courthouse too, which I have to imagine rake in cash.
What you say is true, but not at odds with what I said.
Even though they technically allow it, pro hac vice is not that common, and it takes a while for them to process out-of-state admissions usually.
Check out page 36, "Admission to Practice". http://www.txed.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/view_document.cgi?docum...