A Pennsylvania judge ruled to block testimony from Energy Transfer co-founder Kelcy Warren, who is also executive chairman on the board of directors. Dallas-based Cardinal Midstream had sought to have Warren testify about comments he made about Energy Transfer “making mistakes” in its Pennsylvania projects. Cardinal Midstream is seeking $33 million from Energy Transfer under a purchase agreement, claiming that a pipeline explosion prevented the fulfillment of an earnout condition tied to gas delivery volumes. Energy Transfer argues that the explosion, caused by a landslide from heavy rains, qualifies as a “force majeure,” while Cardinal Midstream blames poor pipeline design for the failure.
Dallas Law Firms Face Off in $33M Breach-of-Contract Case Over Pipeline Explosion Near Pittsburgh
Cardinal Midstream II LLC, represented by Reese Marketos, is suing Energy Transfer and its affiliate ETC Northeast Pipeline LLC for $33 million in a bench trial that started Monday before Beaver County (Pa.) Court of Common Pleas Judge James J.Ross. Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann represents Energy Transfer, which says the judge should find the force majeure clause applies because a landslide caused the 2018 pipeline explosion.
Dallas-Based Dean Omar Branham Shirley Takes Johnson & Johnson to Trial in String of Legal Fights
DOBS has been in near back-to-back trials this year across the country against Johnson & Johnson over claims its talc-based baby powder was contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos. At the heart of DOBS’ latest trial is Michaeleen Lee, an 80-year-old grandmother and former chemistry professor who died from mesothelioma, a cancer in the lining of the lung.
Rapper Drake Taps Houston Firm AZA to Take Rap Beef to Courtroom
Rapper Drake has tapped Houston law firm Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing, known as AZA, to represent him in a legal action against Universal Music Group amid his high-profile feud with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar. AZA Partners John Zavitsanos, Daryl Moore, Monica Uddin and associate Michael Killingsworth on Monday filed a pre-lawsuit petition in Bexar County requesting permission to take depositions of corporate representatives for UMG and iHeartMedia.
North Texas Tollway Authority Nets $280M Verdict Against President George Bush Turnpike Constructors
A Dallas County jury found Prairie Link Constructors, a joint venture of construction companies Fluor Enterprises and Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, breached its contract with the North Texas Tollway Authority to build six and a half miles of roads, bridges and retaining walls on the President George Bush Turnpike. A majority of the walls were found to be defective, the NTTA alleged.
Marshall Jury Hits Samsung with $118M Verdict
A federal jury in Marshall found Samsung willfully infringed three patents owned by semiconductor manufacturer Netlist regarding computer memory modules. The verdict is the latest in a string of wins for Netlist against Samsung.
Self-Driving Truck Company TuSimple Sues Co-Founder’s New Venture Over Alleged Theft of Trade Secrets, Proprietary Technology
Autonomous trucking company TuSimple Holdings Inc. is suing a new venture led by TuSimple’s co-founder and ex-CEO in one of the first Texas business court cases. Lawyers for TuSimple say the case is among the earliest and largest nationwide in which artificial intelligence technology is at the core.
Real Estate Developer Pleads Guilty in Dallas City Hall Corruption Scandal
Sherman Roberts, president and CEO of City Wide Community Development Corporation, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of conspiring to commit bribery. Roberts is accused of bribing two former Dallas City Council members in exchange for their support of his real estate projects.
Appellate Lawyers Talk About Impact of Judicial Elections
An Election Day “red wave” has left the Texas legal world scrutinizing incoming justices and trying to determine what changes may be coming to the intermediate appellate courts in the state’s most urban areas.
East Texas Jury Clears Nokia In Patent Case
A federal jury in Marshall deliberated about an hour and a half Wednesday before returning its verdict for Nokia. Correct Transmission had sought to prove Nokia infringed on three of its patents and should pay about $35 million.