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Parties Rest in Emotional Weeklong Cicis Trial - Jury trial in the $10 million dispute between cousins who bought Cicis Pizza’s debt during the COVID-19 global pandemic continues with testimony from one of the cousins and a valuation expert. The plaintiff’s counsel rested its case Monday afternoon, and the defense rested its case Tuesday afternoon. July 16, 2025
LifeScan Hires Milbank, Porter Hedges to Lead Bankruptcy - A Pennsylvania-based glucose and diabetes monitoring device manufacturer listing liabilities of $1.7 billion filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday in the Southern District of Texas. July 15, 2025
Casino Operators File for Bankruptcy in SDTX - Maverick Gaming, a Washington state-based gambling operation, and 68 of its affiliated businesses filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing $100 million to $500 million in liabilities. July 15, 2025
Fifth Circuit Tells Judge O’Connor More Analysis Needed in Media Matters, X Corp. Venue Spat - A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Tuesday instructed U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor to conduct a more thorough analysis before deciding whether to grant a motion from Media Matters to move a lawsuit to the Northern District of California. July 15, 2025
Litigation Roundup: CEO Indicted in Alleged UT Austin Arena Bid Rigging Conspiracy - In this edition of Litigation Roundup, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit finds that a lawsuit challenging admissions practices at the University of Texas at Austin is not moot, a fake immigration lawyer faces prison time, and the Western District of Texas announces a high-profile indictment. July 15, 2025
‘Whatever It Takes’: San Antonio Lawyer Joins Frontline Flood Recovery in His Hometown - After the devastating flood struck the Texas Hill Country over the 4th of July, Dykema associate Matt Maupin and his wife, Katie, returned to their hometown of Kerrville to aid in recovery efforts. Despite the physical and emotional toll, Maupin described the experience as the most fulfilling work of his life. July 14, 2025Texas-sized Ambition: Huntington Banks on Middle Market with $1.9B Purchase of Prized Veritex - Huntington Bancshares has accelerated its growth as a regional powerhouse with the $1.9 billion all-stock acquisition of Dallas-based Veritex Holdings. This deal significantly boosts Huntington’s footprint in Texas. Legal advisors include Simpson Thacher for Veritex and Wachtell for Huntington. July 14, 2025
CDT Roundup: AI Gets Amped in Somewhat Quiet Week for Deals - Last week, notable transactions included a $9.8 billion AI platform deal, $1.3 billion in two deals by Mach Resources and the sale of The Dallas Morning News to Hearst. The week ending July 12 saw 15 deals valued at just over $13 billion dollars. The week prior, there were nine deals for $15.8 billion and this time last year there were 20 deals for $17.2 billion. July 14, 2025
Centerpiece
‘The Right Side of History’ — Texas Law Students Call on Firms to Defend Rule of Law - In response to President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting Susman Godfrey, 57 Texas law students signed a student-led amicus brief supporting the firm and warning of the order’s chilling effect on the legal profession. The Texas Lawbook reached out to the 57 — seven agreed to be interviewed. The students, including organizer Brennan Caruthers, say the amicus brief and their actions were born from a growing frustration among students who felt the legal profession had been largely silent in the face of mounting political pressure. July 16, 2025
Mediation Fails in Jackson Walker, U.S. Trustee Bankruptcy Fee Dispute - The multimillion-dollar dispute between Jackson Walker and the U.S. Trustee over legal fees paid to the law firm involved in the Houston bankruptcy court romance scandal looks like it is heading to trial. Lawyers for Jackson Walker informed federal court officials Tuesday that efforts to resolve the litigation through mediation had failed. July 15, 2025Expert Voices
Texas Charts New Path on AI With Landmark Regulation - Texas has become the second state, after Colorado, to enact omnibus legislation regulating artificial intelligence systems. The Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act establishes a new regulatory framework that applies to developers and deployers of AI systems conducting business in Texas or producing AI products or services used by Texas residents. The passage of the Texas law is noteworthy given that in recent months, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia each vetoed their respective state’s omnibus AI laws. It remains to be seen whether other states follow Texas’ and Colorado’s lead, or if they avoid omnibus AI laws and focus instead on regulating specific activities, such as the use of deepfakes. July 16, 2025
Recent Survey Reveals Work Modes of Attorneys, Offering Stability in Firm Real Estate Needs - Strategically investing in a thoughtfully designed space has many benefits, including increasing employee performance and attracting and retaining talent. Gensler’s recent U.S. Legal Workplace Survey asked 250 full-time lawyers at large firms in the U.S. how they allocate office time across five work modes: working alone, working with others in-person, working with others virtually, learning (professional development and coaching) and socializing. (Photo: Akin Gump breakroom in Houston office) July 11, 2025
Stories You Might’ve Missed
Report: Judge Gilstrap Again the King of Patent Litigation - Patent infringement litigation has mostly been on the decline across the U.S. for the past three years, but not in the Eastern District of Texas, which has re-established its courts as the preferred destination for disputes regarding patent infringement. A new report by legal analytics firm Lex Machina shows that U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap of Marshall was assigned 795 new patent lawsuits in 2024 — six times more than any other federal judge in the U.S. June 3, 2025
