Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury
In this edition of Asked & Answered, Gibbs & Bruns partner Caitlin Halpern recalls a first trial that came together in 48 hours and a parole win that ended in a hurricane. She also talks about the rise of the Texas Business Court and the pop playlist that gets her ready for the trial.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Angela Colmenero as federal judge for the Southern District of Texas Wednesday with a 50-47 vote, succeeding Judge Lee H. Rosenthal. The Senate also confirmed Kasdin Mitchell as federal judge for the Northern District of Texas Friday with a 49-45 vote. She is succeeding Judge Barbara Lynn.
A Tarrant County jury unanimously awarded the state of Washington $24 million in damages in a fraudulent transfer and veil piercing case against two affiliated Frisco-based wealth advisory businesses.
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, Kelley Drye lawyers secured a $590 million PFAS settlement for North Carolina, the Texas Supreme Court urged legislative reform of the state's $25 million supersedeas bond cap, and the Fifth Circuit revived a challenge to a Lake Austin annexation ordinance for the second time.
After a nearly weeklong trial, a Marshall jury found a group of Chinese tech companies owe $27 million for infringing four patents related to creating and selling 3D printers. U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap presided over the trial.
A Fort Worth jury found Trinity Valley School liable for defamation and retaliation and awarded its former human resources director more than $10 million in damages earlier this month. Carrie Skains sued her former employer in December 2024 for sex discrimination, retaliation and defamatory statements that claimed she kept information about a teacher who exposed himself to children in order to protect him.
Space Exploration Technologies filed suit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Grimes County over a public records request.
The suit filed Tuesday before Travis County Judge Aurora Martinez Jones focuses on four Texas Public Information Act requests. SpaceX claims one request was withdrawn before a ruling was issued, and another request did not include any documents regarding the company.
In this edition of Asked & Answered, Johnston Tobey Baruch managing shareholder Chad Baruch shares his experience representing hip-hop artists in an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court and highlights a surge in Texas mandamus practice. He also shares his top brief-writing tips and pet peeves.
Congress passed the Local Access to Courts Act this week, creating a new federal courthouse in College Station as part of the Houston Division in the Southern District of Texas. U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane will select temporary quarters and then look at a location likely around Texas A&M to construct a new courthouse, which can take two years.
Two years into its existence, the Texas Business Court has proven it can resolve complex business disputes quickly. But so far, the Texas Legislature has only funded five of the 11 divisions it created, leaving West, East and South Texas without access to the business court. With the 2027 legislative session on the horizon, talks with lawmakers are underway to expand the court’s divisions.
© Copyright 2026 The Texas Lawbook
The content on this website is protected under federal Copyright laws. Any use without the consent of The Texas Lawbook is prohibited.
