We haven't spent enough time in the Lone Star State to know whether everything really is bigger in Texas. But when it comes to plaintiffs attorney fees in shareholder M&A cases, it looks like there may be some truth to the cliche.

We've long known that securities class actions have gone global. But a new report by the RiskMetrics Group, which can be accessed here (subscription required), attempts to quantify just how much. For example, from 1996 through 2007, it counts 234 times that an international institutional investor has sought to be named lead plaintiff. The study also notes that in every year since 2002, international investors have filed motions to become lead plaintiff in more then 5 percent of all new federal securities class actions.

Chancellor William Chandler III is known for decisions that gave broad deference to corporate boards, including the 2006 Disney decision and this year's Airgas ruling. Vice Chancellor Leo Strine appears to be the leading candidate to succeed him. Chandler hasn't yet identified the firm he'll join.

A four-judge majority found no reason to meddle with New York's long-established interpretation of the in pari delicto doctrine.