The latest trial accusing the cosmetic giant J&J of manufacturing products that caused consumer’s cancer got underway in Dallas on Wednesday. A Texas man says his mesothelioma was caused by the talc mineral used in the company’s baby powder.
Dallas Law Firm Obtains $260M Verdict Against J&J in Latest Baby Powder Trial
Dean Omar Branham Shirley represented an Oregon mother of three who said her mesothelioma diagnosis came after years of using J&J’s baby powder. The company is facing lawsuits across the country from plaintiffs who claim J&J knew cancer-causing asbestos was turning up in its baby powder for decades but didn’t warn consumers or the FDA.
Democrats, Republicans Lock Arms to Extend Polling Hours After Election Day Storms Rocked Dallas
Thanks to joint efforts by the Dallas County Democratic and Republican parties, voting hours were extended after severe weather that knocked out more than 100 polling locations. Lawyer Robert Tobey, representing the Democrats, and GOP chair Jennifer Stoddard-Hajdu, a lawyer herself, worked together and later consolidated cases with the sheriff who hired Carter Arnett to also extend voting hours. The parties got an assist from the Dallas County district attorney’s office, which represented the Elections Department.
Dallas Doctors Plead Guilty to $9M Healthcare Fraud Scheme
Drs. Desi Barroga and Deno Barroga admitted to submitting false insurance claims purporting to give patients more than 80 corticosteroid shots in a single visit. In reality, the doctors often mimicked injecting patients by placing a needle on their bodies without piercing their skin.
BakerHostetler Recruits Baker Botts Lawyer to Lead Catastrophic Accident Response Team
Former Baker Botts partner Greg Dillard has joined BakerHostetler’s Houston office as a partner. Dillard has represented big companies such as BP, Chevron and ExxonMobil in crisis responses and regulatory enforcement actions.
Norton Rose Fulbright Adds IP Lawyer in Dallas
Adam Rehm is part of a trio of former Polsinelli lawyers who went to Norton Rose’s IP practice. Rehm is a former design engineer and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office examiner with more than two decades of legal experience.
Texas GCs: Litigation Spend Soars in Post-Covid Era
Litigation spend by Texas companies with revenues of $1 billion or more reached an average of $3.9 million, according to Norton Rose Fulbright’s 19th annual trends survey of corporate general counsel. Two top lawyers from the firm discussed with The Texas Lawbook what is driving up the costs.
Lawyers Discuss Perceived Surge of So-Called ‘Nuclear Verdicts’
A Dallas County district judge and top civil lawyers shared their observations about what leads to large jury verdicts and discussed changes in jury attitudes during a recent CLE hosted by The Texas Lawbook.
Yetter Coleman Boosts IP Practice with Natalie Alfaro Gonzales
Natalie Alfaro Gonzales joins the Houston boutique from Baker Botts, where she was a partner and co-leader of the firm’s energy tech sector. Her hiring is part of a “critical initiative” for Yetter Coleman, its leaders said.
Brown Fox Boosts Litigation Practice with Paulette Miniter
Paulette Miniter joins the Dallas boutique law firm as a partner where she will focus on business and commercial litigation, as well as appeals. In an interview with The Texas Lawbook, Miniter discusses making the move from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher where she was an associate.