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Energy Transfer and Far West Texas Gas Companies Settle Lawsuit One Week Before Trial - Energy Transfer, represented by Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann, filed a lawsuit in April 2022 against Culberson Midstream Equity and Moontower Resources Gathering alleging a breach of their 2018 contract because the gas gatherers didn’t deliver committed gas. Culberson and Moontower, represented by Reese Marketos, filed a counterclaim also alleging a breach of contract. January 16, 2025
Ousted Oil Executive’s Suit Goes to Trial in Dallas - Bernard Tubeileh, a German national, claims he was wrongly terminated by the Plano-based U.S. subsidiaries of a German oil and gas company he helped start. The companies say he resigned when his years of self-dealing, unlawful transactions and misappropriation of company funds came to light. January 16, 2025
How Private Equity Will Shape M&A in 2025 - With questions looming over the fate of the IRA, the likelihood of tariffs and more than a few geopolitical tensions muddying the view forward, many lawyers in the deal space are wary of describing what awaits them in the M&A market of 2025. However, one market area that almost all law firms and lawyers agree on, despite those serious variables, is that private equity will continue to help shape the world of Texas M&A. January 16, 2025
Judge Awards $1.8M in Fees to Disabled Ex-NFL Player’s Lawyers - In a 34-page order, Judge Scholer found that the NFL and its retirement fund must pay Michael Cloud’s lawyers at Barlow Garsek & Simon in Fort Worth $1,232,058.75 for their pretrial and trial work, $550,000 for their appellate work and $30,074.72 in costs. January 15, 2025
Blacklock Followed Public Sector Path to Lead Texas Judiciary - Some were surprised by Gov. Greg Abbott’s selection of Jimmy Blacklock as Texas Supreme Court Chief justice, but his eyes were always on big questions about the role of the constitution and development of the law. His leadership is likely to continue the court’s conservative rulings. January 15, 2025Litigation Roundup: SCOTX Changes Mind, Grants Review in Boeing, SWAPA Suit - In this edition of Litigation Roundup, Boeing gets a second chance to bring an end to a Southwest Airlines Pilots Association’s lawsuit, American Airlines is dealt a blow in a lawsuit over its 401(k) plan investing, and Attorney General Ken Paxton — in the wake of an appellate panel tossing his Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act suit against Google — has filed new lawsuits accusing TikTok of violating the same law and Allstate Insurance of using technology to unlawfully collect driving data to justify premium increases. January 14, 2025
Jury Hands Landry’s Loss in TM Spat with Whiskey Distiller - Opening statements were delivered to jurors Wednesday afternoon in the lawsuit Landry’s filed against Lowell Zachary Landry and his company, Landry Distilling, in March 2023. Landry was one of just four witnesses called to testify during the trial that ended with a verdict in his favor around 1 p.m. Monday. January 13, 2025
Centerpiece
Steffen Horlacher — American Airlines’ Lawyer for ‘Head-hurting, Complicated Commercial Matters’ - During his 26 years at American, Steffen Horlacher has played a critical role in helping American navigate monumental events, including 9/11, the airline’s 2011 bankruptcy, the 2014 merger with US Airways and the Covid-19 pandemic. Along the way, Horlacher has handled countless new business initiatives, alliances and codeshare agreements with partners and contractual relationships that facilitate American’s day-to-day operations and catering agreements with vendors. He recently led the legal department’s negotiations with motorcoach carrier Landline, which allowed American to become the first airline to offer service to all 50 states and served as the lead commercial legal advisor in a new West Coast alliance that American brokered with Alaska Airlines and added new international routes from Seattle and Los Angeles.
“In the airline industry there never — or hardly ever — is a dull moment,” Horlacher said. “Issues can come at you in any number, at any time, from any side. If you like to plan out your work day or work week, the airline industry is not for you.” The Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW Chapter and The Texas Lawbook have named Horlacher, who is now a director and senior attorney at American, the recipient of the 2024 Senior Counsel of the Year Award for Large Legal Departments. This is his story. January 17, 2025
Exit Interview: Leigha Simonton - The U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas officially leaves office on Sunday, the day before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. In a wide-ranging discussion with The Texas Lawbook, Leigha Simonton reflects on her two years as chief federal prosecutor in a district that sprawls across 100 counties, and her long years of public service that led her to the job. January 16, 2025Expert Voices
The Looming TikTok Ban: How Influencers Can Avoid Losing Money - Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to block the Tik Tok “ban,” it will take effect on Jan. 19 (or a later date if extended). This means thousands of well-paid influencers stand to lose a significant revenue stream. Recent data reflects that influencers make as much as $250k per post. The good news? Influencers can take steps ahead of loss. January 17, 2025
The First 100 Days Under 47 - Those who have been around Trump for even a little bit already know his guiding principal is "Promises Made, Promises Kept." Accordingly, the best place to start this analysis are the promises he made on the campaign trail. Likewise, it is helpful to consider the people he nominates or appoints, as well as his ability to effectively manage other Republican leaders. January 17, 2025
