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The Texas Lawbook

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Janet Elliott

Janet has deep knowledge of Texas government, including the Texas Legislature and Texas Supreme Court. Her policy expertise includes public and higher education funding and policy, civil justice, pension and investment funds, and state budget. Janet's news media career has also included stops at the Houston Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal and Texas Lawyer.

SCOTX Considers Ownership of ‘Produced Water’

Advances in technologies to treat water produced from oil and gas fracking operations has made what was a worthless by-product into a potentially valuable resource. It’s now worth fighting for, as evidenced by arguments in the closely watched case of Cactus Water Services v. Cog Operating.

March 18, 2025 Janet Elliott

New SCOTX Justice Sullivan Once Ran Afoul of the Fifth Circuit for Tone of Rehearing Petition

As an assistant attorney general, James P. Sullivan saw his petition in a habeas case struck for its tone and lack of respect. He says he apologized and learned from the incident. Gov. Abbott in January elevated Sullivan from his general counsel to the Supreme Court. Relatively unknown in the Texas legal community, Sullivan’s judicial application sheds some light on his judicial philosophy. Most of his litigation experience was in federal court, the document shows, with only 20 percent in state appellate courts.

February 12, 2025 Janet Elliott

Blacklock Followed Public Sector Path to Lead Texas Judiciary

Some were surprised by Gov. Greg Abbott’s selection of Jimmy Blacklock as Texas Supreme Court Chief justice, but his eyes were always on big questions about the role of the constitution and development of the law. His leadership is likely to continue the court’s conservative rulings.

January 15, 2025 Janet Elliott

SCOTX: Cities Not Liable for Cop Car Crash Injuries

Rulings in the two latest cases and a third decided in May set up a demanding standard for when police officers can be sued over injuries and deaths caused while pursuing suspects or responding to calls for help. Although the circumstances varied, the court said none of the cases met the emergency exception to governmental immunity. 

December 31, 2024 Janet Elliott

SCOTX Will Review Winter Storm Uri Claims Against Transmission and Distribution Giants

Four years after devastating power outages resulted in death and destruction, justices will hear arguments in February on the utility companies’ mandamus effort to end claims by more than 15,000 plaintiffs. The utilities say they had no duty under the exigent circumstances to supply power to any particular customers for any particular duration.

December 23, 2024 Janet Elliott

Former Colleagues Surprise Hecht at Final Argument

Retiring Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht was greeted by 17 former judicial colleagues and many other well-wishers as he heard his final case. Some of those gathered now sit on federal benches, while others have thriving private practices. All expressed gratitude for his service. (Photo courtesy Supreme Court of Texas)

December 6, 2024 Janet Elliott

SCOTX Considers Foreseeability of Cross-Median Crash

The deadly crash happened in December 2014 on an icy interstate near Odessa when a pickup truck carrying a woman and her three children crossed into the path of an 18-wheeler helmed by a driver trainee. Trucking and business interests decry the $116 million Harris County trial judgment as an outlier among commercial vehicle cases.

December 3, 2024 Janet Elliott

Hecht, Yes! Longest-serving SCOTX Member Had Unparalleled Impact on Business Litigation, Legal Aid

Not since the frontier days when Texas jurisprudence was being developed from Spanish law has there been a Supreme Court justice as influential as Nathan Hecht. While serving on the court for 35 years as a justice and chief justice, Hecht was a leader in the court’s transition from a plaintiffs-oriented body to one that pleased the business community with skepticism about large jury verdicts in tort cases. He played key roles in writing procedural rules that make litigation more efficient and vigorously advocated for civil legal services funding. As the longest-serving judge in Texas history hangs up his judicial robe due to state-mandated retirement, he recalls elections past and decisions that helped shaped the current court.  

November 21, 2024 Janet Elliott

15th COA Hears First Arguments in Cases Involving State Entities

Justices on the newly created court engaged in spirited questioning over appeals involving DPS’ Uvalde school shooting records, the AG’s biometric data case against Google, and the firing of a Crowley ISD teacher who pinned down a student. Lawmakers gave the court broad authority over appeals involving the state and cases from the new business courts.

October 30, 2024 Janet Elliott

SCOTX Scrutinizes Reach of Texas Civil Barratry Law

Allegations that two Texas lawyers should be held liable for solicitations that occurred in Louisiana and Arkansas put a spotlight on the unique Texas civil barratry law. The plaintiffs argue that the financing and directing of the scheme occurred in Texas. The lawyers say the lawsuit cannot overcome the presumption against extraterritoriality.

October 3, 2024 Janet Elliott

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Features

  • P.S. — Law Firms Feed Minds and Meals  - In this week’s column, Gray Reed honors the legacy of James “Jim” McGraw, a founding partner and a beloved University of Houston Law Center alumnus, through the firm’s creation of a $50,000 endowed scholarship. We also spotlight volunteers from Greenberg Traurig’s Dallas office who packed over 100,000 meals to help feed children in Haiti. Also, the Texas Access to Justice Commission has announced this year’s Deborah G. Hankinson Award winners, recognizing local bar and young lawyer organizations for their commitment to expanding access to justice. Finally, Spanish-speaking lawyers or assistants are sought for a Houston volunteer opportunity and tickets and sponsorships are still available for a Casino Night benefitting the San Antonio Legal Services Association. August 22, 2025Krista Torralva & Elle Grinnell
  • My Five Favorite Books: Dana Collins (Litigation Counsel at Raytheon) - My list starts with a professional read for every attorney or negotiator and finishes with Ron Chernow's telling of President Ulysses S. Grant's unique genius, powered by his astounding 20-cigar-a-day habit.

    Editor’s note: The Texas Lawbook is pleased to offer this new column in partnership with Texas-based Half Price Books sharing our readers’ favorite reads.
    August 20, 2025Dana Collins

GCs, Lawyers & Firms

  • Holland & Knight Hires Another Longtime King & Spalding Healthcare Veteran - Holland & Knight has bolstered its healthcare transactions practice with the addition of Christina McNamara, a veteran attorney who spent 17 years at King & Spalding in Houston. Known for her experience advising hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and clinical labs, McNamara strengthens the firm’s growing healthcare and life sciences group. Her hiring follows the recent arrival of fellow King & Spalding healthcare alum Juliet McBride, underscoring the firm’s Texas expansion in serving the sector.
  • Barnes & Thornburg Adds PE Hire in Dallas
  • McKool Smith Hires High-Ranking U.S. Prosecutor in Dallas
  • Hicks Johnson Hires New Leader of its Appellate Practice 
  • Spencer Fane Adds IP Leader from Wick Phillips
  • DOJ Environmental Lawyer Joins Phelps Dunbar in Austin
  • Gray Reed Continues C-Suite Expansion
  • Fortune 150 E-Commerce Company Taps Lynn Pinker Partner to Lead Litigation
  • Munsch Hardt’s Summer Surge: New Faces, New Practices
  • Healthcare Deal Pro Joins Wick Phillips
More GCs, Lawyers & Firms

Lawyers in the News

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Barry Barnett
Wes Bearden
Emily Westridge Black
Michael Burke
Alicia Campbell
John Campbell
Madeleine Carpenter
Alexander Clark
Dawn Pittman Collins
Richard Finneran
Elizabeth Freeman
David Gail
Elizabeth Gibson
David Jones
Frank Lopez
Abbe Lowell
Neal Manne
Billy Marsh
Tom Melsheimer
Tasha Moser
Justin Nelson
Reed O'Connor
Kate Pennartz
John “J.” Pieratt
Danielle Reyes
Christopher Richardson
Randy Sorrels
Harry Susman
Larry Vincent
Victor Vital
Brent Walker
Matt Weybrecht
Melody Wilkinson
Alex Wolens

Firms in the News

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A&O Shearman
Bryan Cave
Cozen O'Connor
Haynes Boone
Holland & Knight
Jackson Walker
King & Spalding
Kirkland & Ellis
Law Office of Liz Freeman
Paul Hastings
Porter Hedges
Sorrels Law
Susman Godfrey
Toyota
Troutman Pepper Locke
Willkie
Vinson & Elkins
Weil
Winston & Strawn

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