Chron: SCOTX Will Review ERCOT’s Immunity from Lawsuits
The review is a win for Dallas-based electricity generator Panda Power, which is being represented by Haynes and Boone.
Chron: Shippers Say They Overpaid for Rail Transport, Alleging Price Fixing
Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA joins 37 other companies suing the railroads that control 90% of the nation’s rail freight traffic.
Houston Chronicle: Weatherford files for bankruptcy protection
The oilfield services company reported to the bankruptcy court in Houston that it had as much as $10 billion in liabilities, including $7.5 billion in unsecured bond debt.
Houston is Center of Int’l Business Corruption Probes
Houston businesses last year accounted for seven, or about one-fourth of the 26 cases brought by the Justice Department under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Over the past decade, Houston federal court has become one of the busiest in the nation for cases involving foreign bribery cases in large part because of the concentration of energy companies that do business around the world. The Houston Chronicle has an in-depth report.
Widow Fires Tony Buzbee, Who Then Sues for Tortious Interference
The family of a Katy man recently killed in a rig explosion near New Orleans fired Houston trial lawyer Tony Buzbee after he allegedly sued the wrong companies in the case. Buzbee then sued a Morrison family friend for interfering in the case and went to court to force Morrison's family to pay his fee. The Houston Chronicle has the full details.
Houston Bakery Settles Hiring-Bias Suit for $1 million
Lawler Foods, a Humble firm celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, has agreed to pay $1 million to compensate hundreds of unsuccessful job seekers after federal officials accused the company of telling black, white and other applicants that it would not hire them in favor of Hispanics.The EEOC sued the company in 2014 for race and national origin discrimination.
Houston Chronicle: $1.5M Jury Award in Royalty Lawsuit May Spur Others
A recent Harris County jury award to a mineral rights owner against Exxon Mobil is just one of many that could be headed oil and gas companies’ way.