In a case closely-watched by Texas media groups, the Supreme Court of Texas has refused for the second time to dismiss a libel action against the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. The case is notable, not only for its 11-year history, but also for the failure of the defendants to secure traditional libel defenses.
SCOTX: A Contract is a Contract, Even If It’s a Jury Charge
In a holding that should surprise almost no one familiar with the Texas Supreme Court, a unanimous court ruled Friday that a jury charge – like any contract – means what it says it means. The ruling restores a $3 million judgment to Pathfinder Oil & Gas in a breach of contract suit. Justice Eva Guzman wrote the opinion. Allen Pusey has the details.
Kirkland, V&E, Latham Top Charts in Deal Values for Texas Companies
Kirkland & Ellis, Vinson & Elkins and Latham & Watkins topped the charts in M&A deal value for Texas businesses during the first quarter of 2019. They also topped the charts in deal count, new Mergermarket data shows.
SCOTX Rules In Oyster Case
The Texas Supreme Court has ended part of a long-running inter-governmental battle over a coastal navigation district’s exclusive lease with an oyster-farming business; the rest, not so much. The case, which began in 2014, will continue, but with one less party. The Texas Lawbook has the story.
SCOTX Blasts Texas Agency For Misrepresenting Rules
Citing a state agency’s misrepresentation of its own procedures, the Texas Supreme Court Friday reinstated the administrative appeal of a group home employee who was about to be placed on a state misconduct register. The per curiam opinion was bold, even acerbic, and included a reference to Animal House. Allen Pusey explains.
State Bar Discipline: Seven Suspensions, Four Reprimands, One Resignation, One Judicial Suspension
The State Bar of Texas released its monthly list of disciplinary actions taken against Texas lawyers. Here are their actions and findings.
Photo Gallery: 2019 ACC Houston Corporate Counsel Awards
April 25, Four Seasons Hotel On April 25, ACC Houston and The Texas Lawbook hosted the annual Corporate Counsel Awards with more than 300 Houston lawyers and corporate executives in
Call Me By My Name: And No, I’m Not NAFTA
Call it what you will, like it or not, but the newest iteration of a North American trade agreement recognizes the new economic realities that have developed over 25 years of NAFTA. A panel of experts, including the chief legal officer of AT&T Latin America, at SMU’s Cox School of Business reflected on the new realities. The Lawbook was there.
State Bar of Texas Disciplinary Actions
In their monthly account of disciplinary actions, the State Bar of Texas reports discipline taken against three judges: a Waco judge who appointed a police detective as foreman of a controversial grand jury, a Parker County judge who hired and promoted an assistant with whom he was having a sexual relationship, and a judge in New Braunfels who interrupted jury deliberations in a criminal trial by announcing that God had informed him a conviction would be a miscarriage of justice. In other actions, one lawyer resigned his license, eight lawyers were suspended from practice and three received public reprimands.
Corporate Deal Tracker 2018 M&A Transactions
The Corporate Deal Tracker lists merger and acquisition deals with significant participation by Texas-based lawyers. The following lists transactions announced or closed during calendar 2018 as submitted by the firms