These are the top non-confidential M&A deals for the first quarter of 2021 as provided by Mergermarket.
SCOTX Rules Against River Authority in Hurricane Harvey Flooding Case
Property owners near Houston, whose homes were flood by waters released from a reservoir during Hurricane Harvey, won a major victory at the Texas Supreme Court on Friday when the court ruled that the agency that controls the dam has no governmental immunity from lawsuits. The Lawbook explains.
Seven Charged by SEC and Justice Department in Energy Company Fraud
A convicted stock swindler from Texas, a defrocked stockbroker from Miami, a Dallas real estate lawyer and a former burglar were among those cited in a criminal complaint filed Wednesday in the Eastern District of New York. The fraud and stock manipulation charges involved a “pump and dump” scheme that revolved around Dallas-based Zona Energy and leaseholds on a West Texas ranch. Texas Lawbook has the details.
Overhaul of Appeals Courts Moves to Texas Senate
The Senate Committee on Jurisprudence pushed forward a closely-held plan by Republicans to remodel the state’s appellate courts. The party-line vote on Thursday came with an abundance of criticism for the plan’s perceived lack of transparency and its potential for obliterating minority gains in the state’s highest courts.
SCOTX Hears Case Against Business Lawyer Immunity
In oral arguments at SCOTX this week, a case involving the sale of a foot ware company evolved into a fight over attorney immunity. The question is whether transactional lawyers should have the same protection as litigators against lawsuits brought by non-clients. A consortium of 51 firms in Texas had asked the court to hear the case.
CDT Roundup: 24 Deals; 10 Firms, 196 Lawyers, $13.6B
Last December we reported on a $2 billion-plus merger agreement between Diamondback Energy and QEP Resources. The all-stock deal seemed like a good deal for both sides, since it included Diamondback’s assumption of $1.6 billion. But a major stockholder at QEP is having second thoughts, and their thinking is yet another sign that things are getting better. The CDT Roundup has the details of their concerns, as well as details of all 24 transactions.
Chevron To Take Noble Midstream Private for $1.3B
California-headquartered Chevron Corporation announced Friday that it is acquiring all the stock it doesn’t already own in Noble Midstream Partners. Latham & Watkins and Baker Botts advised on the deal. The Texas Lawbook has the names of the lawyers involved.
CDT Roundup: 19 Deals; 12 Firms; 139 Lawyers; $8.1B
Exhibition baseball began this past week. For those who pay attention to such things, it’s a sign of life and hope. Not only did deal makers continue to show signs of both, the deals included at least one that involved…baseball. Or at least someone once involved with baseball. The CDT Roundup has that and last week’s transactions.
Michaels Acquired by Apollo Global in $5B Take-Private Deal
New York-based firms counseled The Michaels Companies in the transaction, which features a 47% premium for stockholders for the 1,275 store chain.
State Bar Disciplinary Actions
In its most recent monthly disciplinary report, the State Bar of Texas cited eight suspensions and six public reprimands. The violations ranged from failure to meet professional obligations to failure to account for client funds.