Commentary

Tips for In-House Lawyers in Law Firms

Shari Klevens and Alanna Clair| May 21, 2018

Many firms have an in-house attorney or even a general counsel dedicated to managing risk for the firm and protecting the firm’s legal interests.…

News

Former AG Holder, Writing for Calif. State Senate, Rebuffs DOJ's Suit Over Immigration Policies

Ben Hancock | May 18, 2018

Holder's amicus brief speaks out in defense of SB 54, the California Values Act, also called California's “sanctuary state” law.

News

Glasscock Lets Stand $1B ETE Equity Deal Despite Finding of 'Unfairness'

Tom McParland | May 18, 2018

A Delaware Court of Chancery judge on Thursday refused to cancel a 2016 deal in which Energy Transfer Equity issued $1 billion in equity units, finding there had been no harm to investors. At the same time, however, Vice Chancellor Sam Glasscock III said the transaction was unfair.

News

Unpaid Overtime Award to Oil Well Company Workers Reversed By Fifth Circuit

P.J. D'Annunzio | May 18, 2018

A jury verdict in favor of former employees of an oil well construction company claiming they were denied overtime has been thrown out by a federal…

Podcast

Big Law Leader Shares Struggles with Alcoholism, Challenges for Profession

Leigh Jones | Vanessa Blum | May 18, 2018

Steven Wall, managing partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, says this was his turning point: "The cracks were getting bigger and everything else around me was beginning to fail."

News

Oklahoma City-Based Phillips Murrah Opens in Dallas With Former Strasburger Partner at Helm

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 18, 2018

Mark Golman has launched the new Dallas office and is now a director of the Oklahoma City-based firm.

News

Texas Appeals Court Tosses Bridal Shop's Ebola Scare Claim For Lack of Expert Report

John Council | May 17, 2018

A Texas court of appeals dismissed a negligence case in which an Ohio bridal shop claimed a Dallas hospital failed to properly respond to an Ebola virus scare after an infected nurse visited the business to try on dresses and ultimately chased away customers.

News

After 5 Months, Chris Flood Leaves Orrick's Houston Office, Returns to Practice With Brothers

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 17, 2018

The Houston-based attorney said he and Orrick agreed that it wasn't the fit either expected.

News

Federal Circuit Still Fine-Tuning Venue Following 'TC Heartland'

Scott Graham | May 16, 2018

Appellate court rules that patent owners have the burden of establishing proper venue, and that defendants can't necessarily be sued anywhere within their state of incorporation.

Task Force Recommends Ditching Texas Bar Exam for UBE

Angela Morris| May 16, 2018

Texas law graduates would no longer face the Texas bar exam, and instead take a test with fewer essay questions that could qualify them for a law license in 29 states, if the Texas Supreme Court accepts a recommendation from one of its task forces.

News

Part of Growing Trend, Anadarko Shareholders Approve Climate Change Resolution

Sue Reisinger | May 16, 2018

“Shareholders are clearly expressing to companies that they want climate risk in their decision-making,” said one advocate.

News

Appellate Lawyer of the Week: Wallace Jefferson Scores a Tough First Amendment Win

John Council | May 16, 2018

A columnist for The Dallas Morning News waded into litigious territory when he wrote a column about suicide that so upset a set of parents who were…

Commentary

Inter Partes Review Changes How Patent Cases Are Appealed

Brad Y. Chin, Kevin R. Tamm, and Yeon J. Ko, Ph.D| May 16, 2018

The Supreme Court issued decisions in the cases of Oil States v. Greene’s Energy and SAS v. Iancu, addressing the constitutionality of inter partes…

Commentary

How to Prevent Internal Control Breakdowns and Workplace Harassment

Sonja J. McGill| May 16, 2018

Robust internal controls are vital for companies to detect and remedy fraud, waste and abuse, i.e., embezzlement, as a component of its financial oversight. Incorporating similarly robust internal controls for addressing sexual harassment complaints must be a priority.

Q&A

HUB International GC John Albright Says Legal Has 'Only Begun to Scratch the Surface' With AI

Dan Clark | May 16, 2018

Albright gave his take on how legal departments should go about purchasing AI and whether or not it's going to replace human lawyers.

News

Citi Report: Demand, Revenue Declined at Texas Firms During First Quarter

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 15, 2018

Revenue was down 4.3 percent in Texas compared with the same period in 2017, and demand slid by 5.3 percent.

News

AGs Step Up Charges Against Opioid Makers

Katheryn Tucker | May 15, 2018

“We are in the midst of a national opioid crisis claiming 175 lives a day nationally and 15 lives a day in Florida, and I will not tolerate anyone profiting from the pain and suffering of Floridians." - AG Pam Bondi

News

Former San Antonio Lawyer Gets Six Years in Prison for Scamming Clients With Fake Court Rulings

John Council | May 15, 2018

A former San Antonio lawyer will be spending the next six years of his life in prison after federal investigators alleged that he created fake Texas…

News

ABA Set to Approve More Online Credits for Law Students

Karen Sloan | May 15, 2018

Supporters say allowing J.D. students to take up to one-third of their credits online, including some during their first year, is validation that distance education can work in law schools.

Commentary

Trending Now: Crappy Law Schools and Crappy Lawyers

Vivia Chen | May 15, 2018

Not to be alarmist, but some recent developments portend that the profession is going to hell.

News

Prominent Dallas Attorney Appeals Sanction Over 'Push Poll' to Texas Supreme Court

John Council | May 14, 2018

After two courts slammed him for using what amounted to a “push poll” to sway a jury pool in a wrongful death case, prominent Dallas attorney William…

News

Vote to Toss LSAT Mandate for Law Schools Slated for August

Karen Sloan | May 14, 2018

Despite the proposed change, most law schools will continue to use the LSAT in admissions even if the ABA's House of Delegates in August signs off on eliminating the LSAT's required use, experts said.

News

Litigators of the Week: Houston Lawyers Convince Advertising Consultant To Drop Claim Against Law Firm

John Council | May 14, 2018

When Houston mass tort lawyer Clayton Clark was sued over an advertising contract dispute, he went looking for the best trial counsel he could find and choose two from either side of the bar to represent him: plaintiff lawyer Jim Perdue Jr. and defense attorney Alistair Dawson.

News

US Supreme Court, Divided, Buys Into Wider Legalized Sports Betting

Tony Mauro | May 14, 2018

The justices in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association found the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act infringed on state sovereignty. The decision could transform sports and sports gambling from coast to coast.

Patent Owner Launches Takings Class Action in Wake of SCOTUS Ruling

Scott Graham | May 11, 2018

Heninger Garrison Davis serves up a challenge to AIA proceedings that Justice Clarence Thomas refused to rule out.

News

Lawyers Help Turn Dallas Golf Course Built on Old Landfill Into Reality

Mary Alice Salmon| May 11, 2018

What once was an abandoned landfill located south of downtown Dallas has become a links-style golf course that, beginning May 14, will host the AT&T Byron Nelson tournament for its 50th anniversary run.

NRA Sues NY Gov., Regulator Over Fines Against Gun Owner Liability Insurers, Broker

MP McQueen | May 11, 2018

A battle over gun insurance may be forming with a New York regulator fining insurers and brokers of National Rifle Association-branded policies for selling policies within the state that cover legal costs connected with criminal defense expenses that might arise from legal gun ownership.

News

ABA Moves Forward With Plan to End Law School Admission Test Requirement

Leigh Jones | May 11, 2018

The decision paves the way for schools nationwide to more easily use the GRE and other tests besides the Law School Admission Test.

Podcast

Ack! Law School Finals. Is There a Better Way?

Leigh Jones | Vanessa Blum | May 11, 2018

This week we explore the rationale behind the “one-and-done” first-year exam model and how it's changing—ever slowly.

Newsmakers: Week of May 14, 2018

Mary Alice Salmon| May 11, 2018

Ashton G. Cumberbatch Jr., who served as police monitor for the city of Austin, has rejoined McGinnis Lochridge in Austin as a special counsel.

News

Mikal Watts Sued as Lawyers Fight Over $1.51B Syngenta Settlement

Amanda Bronstad | May 10, 2018

The complaints come as the judge preliminarily approved the settlement on behalf of a class of more than 600,000 farmers who alleged Syngenta sold genetically modified corn seed that China refused to import.

News

Dallas Judge Totes Gun to Bench During Custody Trial, Bailiff Report Says

John Council | May 10, 2018

After a dispute with her bailiffs over courtroom security, Dallas County family court Judge Kim Cooks apparently took matters into her own hands by bringing a gun with her on the bench during a recent child custody jury trial, according to a Dallas County Sheriff’s Department report obtained by Texas Lawyer.

News

Federal Circuit Rejects Bid to Limit Venue for Foreign Companies

Tom McParland | May 10, 2018

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Wednesday refused to place any restrictions on where foreign companies may be sued for patent infringement in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's TC Heartland ruling.

News

Houston Law Firm's $24,000 Privacy Verdict Against Attorney Tossed

John Council | May 10, 2018

“Invasion of privacy is the theory on which The Travis Law Firm tried its case and on which the jury was charged. Texas courts have not recognized a corporation’s right to privacy, and we likewise decline to do so here,” wrote Justice Russell Lloyd.

News

RBG Movie Highlights Ginsburg’s Life, Struggles and Fight for Equality

Tony Mauro | May 10, 2018

The RBG documentary captures the human and professional sides of an increasingly larger-than-life judicial icon, now 85.

News

Katten Adds 5 Lawyers in Dallas, Including White-Collar Defense Duo, Former Federal Judge

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 09, 2018

The group joining Katten Muchin Rosenman's Dallas office on Wednesday includes former U.S. District Chief Judge Jorge Solis of the Northern District of Texas.

News

Insurers Cannot Escape Verizon Judgment, Superior Court Rules

Tom McParland | May 09, 2018

A Delaware judge has ruled that Verizon Communications Inc. is owed $48 million from insurers from having defended a shareholder suit seeking $14 billion over the telecommunication giant's spinoff of its print and electronic directories business in 2006.

News

Five Texas Law Schools Post Better-Than-Average Employment Rates for 2017 Grads

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 09, 2018

Among the 10 Texas law schools, the University of Texas School of Law had the highest percentage of 2017 graduates in legal jobs 10 months after graduation.

News

State Bar Search Committee Recommends Ross Fischer for General Counsel

Mary Alice Salmon| May 09, 2018

Voting by acclamation on May 7, a State Bar of Texas committee recommended that the bar board of directors elect Ross Fischer, a former attorney in the bar’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel, as its general counsel.

News

McKool Smith Attorney Convinces Delaware Court that $10M Policy Covers Trade Secrets Case

John Council | May 09, 2018

A McKool Smith lawyer recently helped convince a Delaware Court that a $10 million insurance policy his hotel chain client purchased from National Union Fire Insurance Company should cover his defense costs of a trade secrets case—even though the policy excluded trade secrets claims.

News

AG Sessions' 'Zero-Tolerance' Policy at Border May Lead to More Work for Immigration Bar

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 08, 2018

The new policy means everyone who crosses the border could face criminal prosecution for illegal entry.

Commentary

Shock. Shock. The Mommy Track Is a Dead End!

Vivia Chen | May 08, 2018

Why do we perpetuate the myth that it's viable to avail yourself of every family-friendly offering and never lose your place in the race?

News

South Texas Law Dean Opens Up About Retirement Plans, Including What He Wishes He Did More Of During His Tenure

Angela Morris| May 08, 2018

Texas Lawyer emailed Don Guter some questions about his future plans, past accomplishments, what he’ll miss and what he hopes for in his replacement.

News

Texas Muslim Attorney Survives Campaign Attacks on Faith and Profession to Win City Council Race

John Council | May 08, 2018

After facing down campaign attacks from a leading conservative Texas lawmaker who warned citizens in a North Texas city to “beware” of a “Muslim lawyer” candidate, attorney Salman Bhojani recently won a narrow election to become a member of the Euless City Council.

Commentary

Limiting Attorney Exposure When Evaluating Clients

Shari Klevens and Alanna Clair| May 08, 2018

Although lawyers regularly conduct investigations into clients’ affairs and provide evaluations to their clients, their audience for such work is…

News

UT Law School Employee Arrested for Allegedly Falsifying Time Sheets

Angela Morris| May 08, 2018

A former employee of the University of Texas School of Law was arrested, jailed and charged with six counts of tampering with a government record for allegedly falsifying his time sheets, claiming he was working, when he actually traveled to lavish vacation destinations.

News

Houston Firm Sues Colorado Plaintiffs Firm Alleging Unpaid Fee

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 07, 2018

The law firm of Houston lawyer Daniel D. Horowitz filed a lawsuit against Colorado firm Bachus & Schanker, alleging it failed to pay a 40 percent share of a contingency fee.

News

Smoothie King Crowns New GC From Yum Brands

Stephanie Forshee | May 07, 2018

Michael Sukenik brings global experience—particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean—to his position at Smoothie King.

News

Perkins Coie, Bracewell Targeted in Malpractice Suit Over IP Licensing Deal

Scott Flaherty | May 07, 2018

A company that developed technology for "spread trading" claims its lawyers at Perkins Coie and Bracewell led it into a contract that failed to protect its interests against Morgan Stanley.

News

Fifth Circuit Sanctions Austin Attorney for Filing Frivolous Appeal

Mary Alice Salmon| May 07, 2018

Austin solo Omar Rosales, who already had been hit with more than $175,000 in sanctions for making false and abusive statements about opposing counsel during Americans with Disabilities Act litigation, faces additional sanctions.

News

Dallas Litigators Brian Hail, Mark Johansen Join New Firms

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 07, 2018

With Dallas trial firm Gruber Hail Johansen Shank now closed, name partners Brian Hail and Mark Johansen have moved on to other firms.

Newsmakers: Week of May 7

Mary Alice Salmon| May 07, 2018

Edgardo Colón, a public finance, business and corporate law attorney, has joined West & Associates as a partner in the firm’s Houston office.…

News

Sessions Beefs Up Southern District's Immigration Enforcement With 8 New Prosecutors

John Council | May 04, 2018

“The SDTX regularly prosecutes multiple thousands of illegal entry, illegal re-entry and smuggling cases per year,” said Ryan Patrick, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas. “These new attorneys will go toward increased enforcement of the administration’s zero-tolerance policy toward those who illegally enter the county and other immigration matters."

News

Don't Forget the Soft Skills: In-House Counsel Now Boosting Public Speaking, People Skills

Caroline Spiezio | May 04, 2018

The popularity of "soft skills" sessions at last week's CLOC annual institute is a testament to how important building these abilities is becoming for in-house professionals.

News

Judge Tosses CFO's Suit Against Hilliard Martinez over GM Fees

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 04, 2018

A Houston federal judge dismissed ERISA and state-law claims filed by a former Hilliard Martinez Gonzalez CFO, who says the firm stiffed him out of $1.3 million.

News

Litigator of the Week: Austin Lawyer Wins Nearly $1 Million Verdict Against Sitting Judge

John Council | May 04, 2018

Snell was able to convince a Bastrop County jury this week that Justice of the Peace Donna Thomson intentionally violated the Deceptive Trades Practices Act when she sold Snell’s client a house without disclosing that she still had a mortgage on the property, hitting the judge with nearly $1 million in damages.

Commentary

For Firms Welcoming Summer Associates, It’s Time to Think Outside the Bottle

Patrick Krill| May 04, 2018

The lawyers of tomorrow are increasingly aware of—and not OK with—the mental health and substance abuse risks that can come with life in the law.

News

Who's on this Year's Star-Studded Texas Law School Commencement Speaker Circuit?

Angela Morris| May 04, 2018

Although Star Jones is the only TV star speaking at a Texas law school commencement this year, that’s not to say she’s the only high-profile speaker.

Profile

Innovative Law Firm Targets Innovative Startups

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 03, 2018

Samar Shah is a former Big Law patent lawyer who saw an opportunity to go solo and help entrepreneurs in San Antonio's growing tech scene.

News

Shearman & Sterling Launches Houston Office With Six Partners From Three Firms

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 03, 2018

The launch had been delayed by Baker Botts' 90-day hold on partners. Shearman & Sterling hired partners from Baker Botts, Thompson & Knight and Jones Day to launch its Houston office, which will bolster the firm's oil and gas practice.

News

Ex-Client Sues Houston Firm, Alleges Partner Ignored 'Inherent Conflict of Interest'

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 03, 2018

A Texas businessman filed a legal malpractice suit against Houston-based Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry and partner David Pierson.

News

Texas February Bar Exam Pass Rates at an All-Time Low

Angela Morris| May 03, 2018

Overall, only 45 percent of test takers passed and 55 percent failed.

News

Haynes and Boone Represents Shell Affiliates in $950M Sale of Argentine Businesses

John Council | May 03, 2018

A team of Haynes and Boone lawyers represented affiliates of Royal Dutch Shell in a $950 million cash deal to sell its downstream facilities in Argentina…

News

5th Circuit Denies AARP, States’ Request to Intervene in DOL Fiduciary Ruling

Melanie Waddell| May 03, 2018

Drinker Biddle's Fred Reish speculates on Labor's next move.

News

Blank Rome Hires Haynes and Boone Partner in Shanghai

Anna Zhang | May 03, 2018

Corporate lawyer Louis Meng was Haynes and Boone's Asia practice co-head.

News

Who Passed the Texas Bar Exam?

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 03, 2018

The Texas Board of Law Examiners has released the highly-anticipated pass list for the February 2018 bar exam.

News

Appellate Lawyer of the Week: Houston Attorney Wins Big Decision Forcing Hospitals to Disclose Insurance Reimbursement Rates

John Council | May 02, 2018

Houston attorney James Amaro just won a decision from the Texas Supreme Court that will force hospitals to show the difference in the reimbursement rates paid by insured patients and uninsured patients when they attempt to recover costs from civil litigants.

News

White & Wiggins Adds NYC Office, Four Laterals and New Name

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 02, 2018

The Dallas minority-owned firm expands with the addition of an international practice that focuses on the energy and entertainment sectors in Africa.

Slideshow

14 Ways Law Firms Are On-Point With Their Tech Game

Ian Lopez | May 02, 2018

A look at some of the major law firm players leveraging technology to bolster processes both internally and for clients.

News

New Discipline Petition Filed Against Lawyer Sanctioned for False Statements About Prominent Civil Rights Lawyer

Angela Morris| May 02, 2018

The state bar’s Commission for Lawyer Discipline has filed a new case against an Austin lawyer who was sanctioned and suspended from federal court…

News

Dallas-Based Investors Emerge as Weinstein Co. Buyers

Tom McParland | May 02, 2018

Lantern Capital Partners is on the verge of acquiring The Weinstein Co. in a bankruptcy sale, after it was revealed that no bidders had topped the private equity firm’s $310 million offer to buy the embattled studio’s film library and television business.

Houston Attorney Wins State Bar Race for President-Elect

Mary Alice Salmon| May 01, 2018

With the highest number of votes ever cast in a State Bar of Texas race, Houston attorney Randy Sorrels defeated Dallas lawyer Lisa Blue to become…

News

Trump Administration Set for Third Appeal Over DACA Suit to Head to Second Circuit

Colby Hamilton | May 01, 2018

The latest request for interlocutory appeal the government is expected to file soon will join a previous request for the circuit court to review another motion to dismiss, as well as the current briefings occurring now over the nationwide injunction that's halted the wind-down of the immigration policy.

Work Matters: Let’s Talk ERISA

Michael P. Maslanka| May 01, 2018

When will courts take these lawsuits on a clean slate?

News

Sullivan & Cromwell, Jones Day Advise on $23.3B Refinery Company Deal

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | May 01, 2018

Marathon Petroleum Corp.'s planned acquisition of Andeavor, based in San Antonio, will create the nation's largest refiner.

News

Lake Jackson Attorney Pleads to Bank Fraud Over Beach House Sales

John Council | May 01, 2018

Kirk Lawrence Brannan, 64, admitted to conspiring with three co-defendants from 2005 to 2009 to execute a scheme that prosecutors allege defrauded Wells Fargo Bank and other lenders out of $5.3 million.

News

Mintz Levin Adds Practice Leader, White-Collar Pro From Haynes and Boone

Christine Simmons | May 01, 2018

David Siegal, best known for obtaining a high-profile defense victory for private equity financier Benjamin Wey, co-led the government enforcement and litigation practice at Haynes and Boone.

May 2018 Issue

Texas Lawyer| May 01, 2018

May 2018

News

Entering Its Fourth Year, the Award-Winning University of Houston's Pre-Law Center Is Just Getting Started

Angela Morris| May 01, 2018

Now in its fourth year, Houston’s Pre-Law Pipeline Program on May 30 begins eight weeks of courses for first-generation, low-income and underrepresented minority students. Some will explore whether a legal career is right for them, and others will seek focused help to bolster their law school applications and Law School Admission Test scores.

News

Meet the GC at Liberty, Sean Elliott

Kristen Rasmussen | May 01, 2018

Sean Elliott, vice president and general counsel at Liberty, talks with Texas Lawyer about everything from whom he uses for outside counsel to what he does when he's not in the office.

Profile

A Decade Later, Texas Finally Sees Its First Asian-American U.S. District Judge

John Council | May 01, 2018

Karen Gren Scholer's Obama-era nomination was left pending without a Senate floor vote as the Trump administration took over.

Commentary

Without Accidents, Aviation Law Grows in New Areas

Pamela C. Hicks| May 01, 2018

When I first started working on aviation cases 20 years ago, it was not uncommon for my time to be spent defending lawsuits related to commercial airline…

Commentary

Can Seamen Sue for Punitive Damages, Even After 'Miles'?

Jim T. Brown and Andrew J. Miller| May 01, 2018

In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court's 1990 landmark decision in Miles v. Apex Marine Corp., federal and state courts have grappled with whether…

Commentary

Yes, That Really Happened

John G. Browning| May 01, 2018

Sometimes, you will hear about some crazy “I can’t believe someone did that or said that” moment in our justice system and wonder, did that really…

News

Gibson Dunn, Boutrous Sue Harvey Weinstein on Behalf of Ashley Judd

Ross Todd | April 30, 2018

The sexual harassment and defamation lawsuit claims that Weinstein sabotaged Judd's chance to land a role in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy after she refused his advances at a breakfast meeting.

Editor's Letter

Editor's Note: New Growth

Heather Nevitt | April 30, 2018

Spring is officially here. And spring is the quintessential time for new beginnings, change, growth and renewal.

Commentary

How to Identify Bias in the Courtroom

David K. Bissinger| April 30, 2018

Lawyers will enjoy more success in their practice by acknowledging, rather than ignoring, the natural biases of the participants and developing a practical understanding of bias in their practices.

News

Former GEICO Lawyer Claims Racial Bias in New Lawsuit

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | April 30, 2018

Houston lawyer Carnegie Harvard Mims III says GEICO and its staff counsel in Houston harassed and discriminated against him.

News

Lawyers Can't Be Sued By Nonclients Over Court Statements, Texas Supreme Court Rules

John Council | April 30, 2018

The Texas Supreme Court has reaffirmed one of the strongest immunity protections that civil litigators have by ruling that lawyers cannot be sued by third parties over statements they make in open court on behalf of clients.

News

State Bar Board Elects Dentons Partner as Its New Chair

By Mary Alice Salmon| April 30, 2018

Beginning in June, Dentons Houston partner Laura Gibson will take over as chair of the State Bar of Texas board of directors.

Newsmakers: Week of April 30

Mary Alice Salmon| April 30, 2018

Tricia DeLeon, a trial lawyer, has joined Holland & Knight as a litigation partner in the firm’s Dallas office. DeLeon is in Holland & Knight’s…

News

Should Houston Firms Do More to Promote Women? The Houston Bar Says 'Yes'—and Here's How

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | April 27, 2018

The Houston Bar Association's Gender Fairness Committee is pressing firms and legal departments to increase the number of women in partnership and leadership positions by 2020.

News

Former Microsoft IP Attorney Named General Counsel at Tech Company AmpThink

Dan Clark | April 27, 2018

Jim Banowsky will lead the legal department at AmpThink, which specializes in providing wireless internet for large public spaces.

News

5th Circuit Blasts Lawyer Over Witness 'Gifts', Tosses $502M J&J Verdict

Scott Flaherty | April 26, 2018

The appeals court took a dim view of tactics that trial lawyer Mark Lanier used with respect to expert witnesses.

News

Lawyer Wins Community Leadership Award for Work Related to Addiction and Mental Health Epidemics

Angela Morris| April 26, 2018

Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program director Bree Buchanan has won national accolades for her work to find practical solutions to the legal profession’s addiction and mental health epidemic.

News

Fifth Circuit Tosses $502 Million Verdict Against J&J, DePuy Orthopaedics

Greg Land | April 26, 2018

The appellate opinion said the trial judge committed "serious evidentiary errors" and allowed the plaintiffs counsel to mislead the jury.

News

AARP, States File to Intervene in DOL Fiduciary Appeal

Melanie Waddell| April 26, 2018

“AARP is not giving up on our fight to make sure that hard-earned retirement savings have strong protections," said AARP's LeaMond.

News

Despite Status Quo in Oil States Decision, SCOTUS Shakes Up Patent Litigation

Scott Graham | April 25, 2018

After Tuesday's ruling in SAS Institute v. Iancu, petitioners face a higher risk of getting a final written decisions finding challenged patent claims valid, leaving them estopped from fighting in district court.

News

Counsel Fees, Sanctions Nixed in Anti-SLAPP Action Against Website Operator

Michael Booth | April 25, 2018

A Texas appeals court has overturned $150,000 in sanctions, remanded for reconsideration an award of $375,383 in attorney fees, and vacated nonmonetary sanctions imposed by the trial judge on the operator of website purportedly aimed at stamping online bullying and other more lurid practices.

Chart

Law Grads Hiring Report: Job Stats for the Class of 2017

Karen Sloan | April 25, 2018

The law class of 2017 overall fared better in the entry-level job market, but national figures obscure the extreme stratification of employment success for grads from individual schools. Our 10 charts break down all the latest hiring data, showing the schools that excelled—and those that lagged behind.