One little word within the text of the Texas Citizens Participation Act effectively disincentivizes First Amendment lawyers from taking libel and defamation cases on a pro bono basis. Two lawyers who have won dismissal of such lawsuits brought against their pro bono clients spoke to The Lawbook about prospects for a legislative fix this upcoming session.
Litigation Roundup: Injunctions Against Federal Agencies Mount
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, we look at the lawyers who helped secure recent rulings barring the federal government from regulating horseracing and from enforcing bans on both noncompete agreements and LNG export approvals.
Power Struggle Underway in AT&T Data Breach MDL
In early June, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred to U.S. District Judge Ada Brown a group of proposed class action lawsuits brought by dozens of lawyers over the AT&T data breach. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs — who are among the 73 million current and former customers who had their personal information released on the dark web — are already jockeying for leadership positions in the sprawling litigation.
Ex-Highland Capital Management CEO Can’t Duck Contempt Finding
James Dondero had appealed to the Fifth Circuit in September 2022, arguing the bankruptcy judge wrongly found him in contempt of a temporary restraining order and awarded compensatory damages to Highland. Judge Leslie H. Southwick wrote that the “minor factual issues” Dondero raised on appeal weren’t enough to undo the sanction. “Undergirding our analysis of the sanctions award here is a recognition of the goal of such awards everywhere: ‘to do rough justice,’” he wrote.
Litigation Roundup: Primexx Energy Wants Suit Over $788M Sale Tossed
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, we offer an update from the most recent hearing in the lawsuit stemming from the $788 million sale of Primexx Energy, a threatened lawsuit over the death of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson yields a settlement, and six officers and directors of a Houston-based clinic see an end to a $285 million breach claim.
Litigation Roundup: Oncor’s Transmission Line Appraisal Suit to Proceed
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, Haynes Boone helps Fox News escape a defamation lawsuit stemming from the Allen Outlet Mall shooting, a Metroplex resident is sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for fraud over his allegedly bogus $200 million offer to buy Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit and a former San Antonio-area city councilwoman is vindicated by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Divided Court Wipes Out Dentist’s $16M Medicaid Fraud Penalty
During oral arguments, much of the court’s questioning centered around whether Texas had proven scienter, or that Dr. Richard Malouf knew he was violating the statute when he submitted 1,842 claims for reimbursement, which is required for the judgment against Malouf to stand. But that was not the issue that carried the day for Malouf.
Nate Paul’s Fight Against Criminal Contempt Finding Goes to SCOTUS
Paul, who argues that what happened to him in this case is “a stunning episode of Wild West justice,” filed his petition on June 13. The Mitte Foundation, which alleges Paul’s petition contains “many factual misstatements,” has until July 18 to file a response. The petition asks the U.S. Supreme Court to answer two questions: 1. Whether a criminal-contempt prosecution by an interested private party violates the Due Process Clause. 2. Whether sentencing a criminal defendant to jail via email, in absentia and without the opportunity to address the judge, violates the Due Process Clause or the Sixth Amendment.
Litigation Roundup: Trafigura Pays $55M, Settles Trading Fraud Claims; New Rules at the Fifth Circuit
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, we detail two new changes in rules governing attorneys who practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, a jury in Harris County issues a $17 million verdict in a seven-year-old lawsuit and Whataburger goes to court to defend its trademark.
Governor Appoints AG’s Office Alum, Diamond McCarthy Partner to Houston Biz Court
Rounding out appointments to the newly created business courts, Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Friday Sofia Androgué and Grant Dorfman will be the inaugural appointees to the Houston division.