The Texas Lawbook

Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury

Jeff Schnick

Jeff oversees a news team of reporters who cover business litigation and trials, corporate mergers, acquisitions and capital markets, law firm management and business bankruptcies.

Latham Hires Trial Superstars Expected to Eventually Launch Dallas Office

Latham & Watkins has hired prominent litigators Taj Clayton and Scott Thomas as partners, the firm announced Tuesday. The move, first reported by The Texas Lawbook on Feb. 6, significantly strengthens Latham’s trial team in Texas and across the country, adding two nationally recognized litigators with deep experience in high-stakes commercial, securities and white-collar disputes. The two litigators are expected to eventually play a key role in launching the firm's Dallas office, as both are North Texas residents.

Jeff Schnick

Weil Opens New Austin Office as Firm Now Has Three in Texas

When Weil brought intellectual property trial veteran Jeff Homrig back to the firm in August, there was speculation that the notable summer lateral would be its opportunity to open an Austin office. Six months later to the day, it’s official: Weil has a new office in Central Texas, its third in the state, the firm announced early Monday morning in a news release.

The new office will offer commercial litigation and corporate practices, with IP litigation serving as its initial focus, according to the firm.

Jeff Schnick

Corporate Cosmos: Texas Lawyers Navigate Record Billion-Dollar Deals Year

When Johnny Carson used to parody astronomer Carl Sagan on The Tonight Show, he’d stretch out the words “billions and billions” to accentuate the astronomer’s Mid-Atlantic delivery. The line became so famous that many people assumed Sagan said it. 

He never did. 

Yet Sagan, with some humor about it, leaned into the myth, even later calling one of his books Billions & Billions as a nod to Carson’s cosmic exaggeration.

Now we have to borrow the phrase again. Not to describe galaxies or particles of star stuff, but to capture the sheer scale of billion-dollar-plus deals handled by Texas lawyers last year.

Jeff Schnick

Warm Texas Welcome: Arizona Firm Joins Forces With San Antonio’s Schmoyer Reinhard

Phoenix-based Fennemore is entering the Texas legal market by combining with a San Antonio-based litigation and labor and employment firm. The move to tie up with Schmoyer Reinhard gives Fennemore its first major presence in the Lone Star State. Home to some of the world’s largest public and private companies, Texas offers a mix of practice work that aligns with the firm’s existing client base, Fennemore announced Monday in a news release.

Jeff Schnick

Harvard to Houston: V&E’s Dealmaker Powerhouse

Lande Spottswood is one of the country’s top dealmakers, hired by public companies and private capital alike for her expertise with complex transactions.

Her path to the transactional world wasn’t linear. A onetime biochemical sciences major planning for an MD/PhD, Spottswood realized lab life was not for her and pivoted to Harvard Law School, where a course on Delaware takeover doctrine (and the drama of corporate raiders and contested deals) hooked her on M&A.

The Texas Lawbook caught up with the Vinson & Elkins partner to talk about these topics, Texas transaction trends, including the ongoing consolidation in energy and more, as well as how important it is to enjoy a Friday afternoon margarita on the porch. At least when the Houston weather will actually allow you to do so.

Jeff Schnick

PE Firm Buys Topgolf in $1.1B Deal

Topgolf Callaway Brands said Tuesday that it sold a 60 percent stake in its Topgolf and Toptracer business to Los Angeles private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners in a deal valued at $1.1 billion, with the sale of the stake generating approximately $770 million for Topgolf Callaway. The deal is expected to close early next year.

Jeff Schnick

White & Case Adds Energy M&A Dealmaker in Houston

White & Case bolstered its M&A and energy group by hiring veteran Houston dealmaker Ian Goldberg, the firm announced in a news release. Bringing considerable experience with complex energy transactions, Goldberg also advises on energy transition, from carbon capture to renewable projects.

Jeff Schnick

Norton Rose Hires Veteran Finance Partner from Winston & Strawn

Norton Rose Fulbright announced on Thursday that it has expanded its business practice group by hiring veteran Dallas corporate finance partner Chip Gage. With more than 30 years of experience representing private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, he joins Norton Rose after spending nearly nine years at Winston & Strawn.

Jeff Schnick

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