SCOTUS Hands Locke Lord’s Hastings Win in Major Forum-Selection Dispute

By Mark Curriden, JD
Senior Writer for The Texas Lawbook

(December 3) – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a Texas case Tuesday that companies can use contractual agreements with other businesses to dictate the courts in specific states where disputes between the companies must be resolved. The decision is a huge win for large businesses operating in multiple states that want to litigate all their civil disputes in their home jurisdiction.

The Inside Story of American Airlines Settlement with DOJ

By Mark Curriden, JD
Senior Writer for The Texas Lawbook

(December 2) – Next Monday, before the financial markets open, lawyers for American Airlines and US Airways will gather in the Dallas offices of Weil, Gotshal & Manges on the second floor of the Crescent Court to sign the “closing papers” officially merging the two companies and creating the world’s largest airline. The closing, which will be more ceremonial than substantive, ends one of the most complex, expensive and successful corporate bankruptcies in U.S. history. This is the inside story of how the airlines settled the Justice Department’s lawsuit to block the merger – a lawsuit that the airlines, the federal government and nearly all legal experts said couldn’t be settled.

Fifth Circuit: Businesses Can Ban Class Action Arbitration in Employment Agreements

By Mark Curriden, JD
Senior Writer for The Texas Lawbook

(December 3) - Large Texas businesses scored a major legal victory Tuesday when a federal appeals court ruled that they can use employment contracts to ban class action arbitration proceedings in wage and work condition disputes with employees. The Fifth Circuit ruled that the National Labor Relations Board overstepped its authority when it told Fort Worth-based D.R. Horton that it could not require its employees to sign an agreement that prohibited them from joining together in an collective arbitration case.

The Texas Lawbook has all the details.

HBA Prospers in Pro Bono Services

By Natalie Posgate
Staff Writer for The Texas Lawbook

(November 26) – The Houston Bar Association recently raised $619,500 at its 64th annual fundraising event, the Harvest Celebration. The money raised at the event, which was held at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston, totals to $6,000 more than what was raised last year. But this successful fundraiser is just the tip of the iceberg in regard to the HBA's pro bono efforts.

The Texas Lawbook has complete details and lots of photos.

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Home-Court Advantage: How the SEC’s Intention to Bring More Administrative Proceedings Could Affect You

By Toby Galloway and Chase Medling Special Contributing Writers for The Texas Lawbook

(October 25) – Senior U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission officials said recently that the agency will increase its use of administrative law proceedings in lieu of federal district court actions. The SEC's success rate before ALJs is statistically higher than in federal enforcement actions. Skeptics would point out that this is hardly surprising, given that the ALJs are employed by the SEC.

Texas M&A Sees Surge in Q3

By Mark Curriden
Senior Writer for The Texas Lawbook

The third quarter of 2013 witnessed a significant jump in the number of mergers and acquisitions announced by Texas-based businesses, according to mergermarket media. V&E and Latham got the most deals and many of the biggest deals.