Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
New York-based firms counseled The Michaels Companies in the transaction, which features a 47% premium for stockholders for the 1,275 store chain.
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.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse than a raging pandemic. Then comes a major energy grid collapse and water disruptions and a still-raging pandemic. And on top of all that, it’s really, really cold. But if you’re inclined to feel sorry for yourself consider: You could be Michael Fallquist. That story and last week’s deals.
Ardagh Metals Group, Luxembourg-headquartered purveyor of metal beverage containers is combining with a Los Angeles-based SPAC. The result will be an $8.5 billion public company. And several Dallas-based lawyers took part.
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