The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a unanimous panel opinion Monday rejecting Judge Madeleine Connor’s bid to have Chapter 11 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code declared unconstitutional. Judge Connor, who was added to the list of vexatious litigants after filing a flurry of pro se lawsuits against her neighbors, is barred from filing more pro se litigation without first seeking permission from the local administrative judge. She argued that barrier to the courts violated her First Amendment right to petition. The Fifth Circuit disagreed.
Litigation Roundup: CenterPoint Wants a Beryl MDL
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, the Texas Attorney General’s Office — fresh off securing a $1.4B settlement with Meta in a similar lawsuit — has filed a data privacy suit against General Motors, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor recuses from one X Corp. lawsuit but hangs on to another, and we offer an update on the lawsuits CenterPoint is facing from customers in the wake of Hurricane Beryl and which firms have been tapped to defend the utility company.
Ex-Judge Jones Ordered to Ethics Training After Show Cause Hearing
Nine days after Southern District of Texas Chief Bankruptcy Judge Eduardo Rodriguez conducted a show cause hearing in a sealed courtroom, he has determined that his former colleague, David Jones, acted in bad faith when he consented to an interview with lawyers from Jackson Walker and Rusty Hardin’s firm. The ruling comes in a case where Judge Rodriguez must determine whether Jackson Walker should be forced to return about $13 million in legal fees earned in bankruptcy cases before former Judge David Jones.
Munsch Hardt Adds Shareholder to Dallas Litigation Group
Stephen J. Huschka joined Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr this month as a shareholder in its Dallas litigation group. Previously, he was a shareholder at Kessler Collins in Dallas.
Plaintiff, Amici Urge En Banc Reconsideration in ‘Literally Unprecedented’ Axing of $222M Wrongful Death Verdict
Earlier this month, Kansas resident Kelli Most filed a motion for en banc reconsideration with the court. She argued that dismissal of her lawsuit against Team Industrial Services — which came after the Sugar Land-based company had unsuccessfully attempted pretrial to get the appellate court to move the suit out of Texas courts — on grounds that Texas was an inconvenient forum is “literally unprecedented.”
Gibson Dunn Hires Away Weil Trial Pro in Dallas
Elizabeth “Liz” Ryan, who had been a partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges for three-and-a-half years, cited Gibson’s “explosive” and “impressive” growth in Texas as part of the reason she was excited to join the firm.
“Even with this growth, Gibson Dunn has maintained a collaborative atmosphere, collegiality, renowned client service, and unparalleled litigation results,” she said in a news release. “Having repeatedly co-counseled with outstanding Gibson Dunn attorneys throughout my practice, I’m now honored to join their ranks.”
Mayer Brown Energy M&A Partner Jumps to Baker Botts
Baker Botts announced Tuesday that Rebecca Seidl had joined from Mayer Brown, where she was a partner in the corporate and securities practice group for six years.
Seidl, in a news release, cited the firm’s reputation in the energy industry and its global platform as reasons why she made the move.
Litigation Roundup: Austin-based CrowdStrike Now Facing Two Proposed Class Action Lawsuits
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, the Fifth Circuit asks for the Texas Supreme Court’s input in a drowning death case, the city of Uvalde agrees to release its records related to the Robb Elementary shooting, and Munck Wilson Mandala is dealt a blow in a RICO lawsuit it brought against the owners of a Dallas building where it leases office space.
Amici Weigh in on Constitutional Challenge to New Fifteenth COA
Three amicus briefs — from Disability Rights Texas, the Texas Business Law Foundation and Texans for Lawsuit Reform — have been filed in the case. While the groups seek different outcomes, Disability Rights Texas and Texans for Lawsuit Reform agree on one issue: the Texas Supreme Court should take the case and issue a decision on the constitutionality issue.
SDTX Chief Bankruptcy Judge Seals Show Cause Hearing in Judge Jones, Jackson Walker Case
At the daylong hearing, Chief Judge Eduardo Rodriguez also denied a request to subpoena four years of phone and text logs from former bankruptcy Judge David Jones’ government-issued cell phone that the requesting party said was intended to investigate whether any ex parte communications had taken place between Jones and the attorneys who appeared before him. Chief Judge Rodriguez said he plans to quickly decide whether to partially or fully unseal a transcript and audio of the sealed portion of Wednesday’s hearing.