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‘I Can Have a More Peaceful Life’: Sidley Helps Sexual Assault Survivor Secure VA Benefits - It was the actions of a series of men in the 1970s and 1980s that derailed the rest of Rachel Faili’s life, even almost ending it. It was the decision by a group of Sidley Austin lawyers to take action and represent this Houston veteran pro bono that helped her move forward from decades of the severe post traumatic stress disorder that has haunted her since her military service.

This is the story of both events, the bridge between them and how a lawyer’s skills can be used to truly make a difference in the lives of those who suffer. November 30, 2023Natalie Posgate

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Top Stories

SCOTX Tells Fifth Circ. Deadline-Tolling Statute Applies in Flight Attendants’ Boeing Suit - The federal appellate court had asked the Texas Supreme Court to answer two questions clarifying how Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.064 applies to the claims of former United Airlines flight attendants, Marvin Sanders and Matthew Sodrok, who say they were injured when a smoke detector activated — despite the absence of smoke or fire on board — at such a high volume that it burst their ear drums, caused their ears to bleed and left them with permanent hearing loss. The justices’ answers revived the lawsuit against The Boeing Company and two companies that provided parts and maintenance for the allegedly defective smoke detector. December 1, 2023Michelle Casady
V&E, Sidley, McDermott, Norton Rose Fulbright Match Cravath Salary Bump, Bonuses - Christmas came in late November for non-partner lawyers at Vinson & Elkins. In an email Thursday to the firm’s associates, V&E announced it is paying them annual bonuses ranging from $15,000 to $115,000 and increasing their compensation between $10,000 and $20,000 per year. First-year associates will now make $225,000 and eighth-year associates will see their annual comp top $550,000 with the bonus. November 30, 2023Mark Curriden
Simpson Aids KKR on Buying Rest of Global Atlantic for $2.7B - The Simpson team was co-led by partner Christopher May in Houston. KKR already served as Global Atlantic’s asset manager for the last three years, offering access to its global investment and origination capabilities for the benefit of GA’s policyholders. November 29, 2023Claire Poole
SCOTX Ponders if ‘Wrongful Pregnancy’ is Gift from God or Grounds for Damages - The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday morning in a lawsuit where mother of four Grissel Velasco is suing Dr. Michiel R. Noe for both his failure to perform a sterilization procedure she requested and his failure to inform her the procedure had not been done. Velasco is seeking pain and mental anguish damages for the so-called wrongful pregnancy that came about 15 months after she thought she had been sterilized. November 28, 2023Michelle Casady
CDT Roundup: 9 Deals, 9 Firms, 131 Lawyers, $4.8B - BlackRock is a dirty name, at least among some Texas legislators, for its vigorous investments in energy transition. But it is also the world's largest asset manager with $9.42 trillion under management. This week's CDT Roundup looks at BlackRock and the law firms whose Texas offices often count BlackRock as a client. That, along with the Texas lawyers and firms behind the nine deals reported during the holiday-shortened week. November 28, 2023Claire Poole

Centerpiece

Akin, Baker Botts, Yetter Coleman Join Firms in Associate Pay Raises and Bonuses - The three Texas law firms added their names to the growing list of corporate law practices that are increasing associate compensation and handing out big year-end bonuses. December 1, 2023Mark Curriden

Expert Voices

SEC Enforcement: Five Trends to Watch - The Securities and Exchange Commission closed fiscal year 2023 on Sept. 30 with a flurry of enforcement filings. A few things stand out, including a sharp increase in cryptocurrency and other digital asset enforcement actions, which far outstrips the agency’s activity in this space in earlier years. There was also a pronounced jump in enforcement focus on corporate internal controls, continuing a trend that started last fiscal year. Meanwhile, the SEC paid record whistleblower awards and stepped up its whistleblower protection efforts, highlighting their importance to the SEC’s enforcement program. On the other hand, ESG enforcement activity appeared to wane, which contrasts with the prominence SEC officials have given to ESG issues in speeches and proposed rulemaking. And SEC administrative proceedings suffered more blows in court challenges, which, while not appearing to slow the pace at which the SEC is filing enforcement cases, could have implications for the SEC’s efforts to regulate the professionals who practice and appear before it. November 29, 2023David Peavler & Evan Singer

More Stories

White & Case Has ‘Vastly Exceeded Expectations’ in Texas
Litigation Roundup: Pharma Cos Draw Texas Fraud Suit, Small Refineries Beat EPA at Fifth Circuit
M&A/CapM Partner Leaves Sidley for Locke Lord
Federal Jury in Dallas Awards $210M in Software Trade Secrets Trial
P.S. — Pro Bono Turkeys and Fixings 
Biz Community Tells SCOTX Abortion Ban Has Cost Texas $14.5B
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Corp. Deal Tracker/M&A

GCs/Corp. Legal Depts.

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Stories You Might’ve Missed

  • Texas Lawyers Hit $2,000 an Hour - Just a dozen years ago, a handful of lawyers in Texas breached the $1,000 hourly rate barrier. The $1K lawyers were the best of the best in their practice areas: trial lawyers Steve Susman, Tom Melsheimer, Charles Schwartz and Harry Reasoner for bet-the-company litigation, or deal lawyers like Jeff Chapman, Andy Calder, Tom Roberts or Michael Dillard to lead mega-billion-dollar transactions. This year, a handful of Texas lawyers broke through another billing barrier: $2,000 an hour. Dozens more are expected to start charging clients $2K next year. September 25, 2023Mark Curriden

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