The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is overstepping its authority and bringing unfair enforcement actions against the cryptocurrency industry, several interested parties have argued in amicus briefs filed in a lawsuit asking Judge Reed C. O’Connor to rule that digital assets are not securities. LEJILEX, a Texas company that intends to launch a digital asset trading platform, filed suit against the SEC in February. Seven states also argue the SEC’s aggressive actions threaten to preempt dozens of state laws.
Sorrels Bolsters Firm with Trial and Appellate Lawyer from Hoover Slovacek
Becoming a lawyer was about the furthest thing from a young Dylan B. Russell’s mind when he was a budding saxophone player at the University of Texas in the 1990s.
Dallas Lawyer Obtains DOJ Case Closure for Armenian Businessmen
Armenian brothers Artyom Khachatryan and Gurgen Khachatryan faced accusations that their multimillion-dollar Beverly Hills mansion was purchased with bribes. Following a two-year investigation, the government announced it had closed the case and reached a settlement with the family to share proceeds from the sale of the luxury estate. The resolution is touted as a significant victory by the brothers’ Dallas lawyer, Ephraim “Fry” Wernick.
Judge Tosses Breach of Contract Suit Against Fort Worth Oil and Gas Company
State District Judge Megan Fahey granted summary judgment to Fort Worth-based Tug Hill Inc. in a lawsuit brought by a former executive. The ex-exec argued a verbal agreement was reached with the company’s president that entitled him to management incentive units that should have been paid out to him in an amount over $10 million.
Jury Awards $18M to Houston Lawyer Injured in Wreck
John Scott, formerly of Scott, Clawater & Houston, his wife and son were seriously injured in a wreck while visiting family for Christmas in 2020. A Dallas County jury determined a drunken driver was liable after a four-day trial.
Verizon Owes $847M for Infringement, East Texas Jury Says
A federal jury in the Eastern District of Texas found Verizon infringed on two patents obtained by Dallas-based General Access Solutions in the early 2000s. Verizon vowed to appeal the verdict.
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Adds Partner to its Houston Office
Lauren Black, formerly a partner at BoyarMiller, has joined Bradley’s litigation practice group. She rejoins Philip Dunlap and Cyrus Chin, two former BoyarMiller lawyers who joined Bradley as partners last year.
Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea, BenMaier & Eastham Launches Dallas Office
Houston-based SBSB Eastham has opened its Dallas location with six new partners who joined from Hartline Barger. The group will focus on construction defect litigation, personal injury defense and employment and labor law.
Five Attorneys Leave Sheehy Ware Pappas Grubbs for Spencer Fane
Spencer Fane has bolstered its litigation and dispute resolution practice group with three new partners and two of counsel attorneys in Houston. The Kansas City-based firm, which has been growing its Texas presence since it entered the state in 2018, now has 117 attorneys here.
‘Relentless,’ How Reese Marketos Secured $150M False Claims Verdict Against Janssen
A federal jury in New Jersey found in favor of former sales representatives turned whistleblowers who claimed Janssen Products promoted HIV drugs off-label. All told, the verdict could result in Janssen facing more than $1 billion, one of the largest False Claims Act verdicts, partner Pete Marketos said.