A Kansas federal judge Friday approved what may be the largest agricultural settlement in U.S. history. It marks the end of a four-year legal battle in which farmers alleged Syngenta released genetically modified corn into the marketplace, causing major disruptions in the corn trade between the U.S. and China. A Dallas attorney took part in the deal.
Eight Major Hotels Sued in Antitrust Lawsuit in EDTX
An online travel agency has sued eight major hotel chains claiming an agreement to suspend competitive bidding on each other’s branded online search terms damaged its business. It’s a complex allegation of anticompetitive behavior and Lawbook litigation writer Natalie Posgate explains it.
$178.5M Arbitration Award Ties Off 1990 South Texas Asbestos Case
Two recent rulings for $178.5 million have ended what had been one of the longest running cases in the nation. The downside of the case, filed nearly three decades ago, is that only about 70 of the original 2300 plaintiffs have lived to see its end. The Lawbook’s Litigation Writer Natalie Posgate has the bittersweet details.
Johnston Tobey Baruch Scores $5M Settlement Against San Antonio Firm
Texas-based 1776 Energy Partners has settled for nearly $5 million a legal malpractice claim against a San Antonio law firm after one of its lawyers botched a lawsuit so badly that they were forced to settle as defendants a suit the company had pursued as the plaintiff.
Kelly Rentzel: GC of a Bank; ‘Pioneer’ for Mental Health Advocacy
Only four months before Texas Capital Bank General Counsel Kelly Rentzel became the bank’s first in-house lawyer, she tried to kill herself in her bathtub. Rentzel’s journey with bipolar disorder has seen both struggle and revelation. Natalie Posgate profiles Rentzel’s remarkable personal trials and her brave new effort to educate others.
Dispute Involving Apache to Continue in Arbitration, Appeals Court Rules
An appellate court ruled Thursday that the arbitrability of a $15 million legal dispute between Houston-based Apache Corp. and Fort Worth-based Wagner Oil Company will have to be debated in front of an arbitrator in Houston, not a trial court in Fort Worth as WOC had hoped.
Judge Reopens Forest Park Bankruptcy to Investigate Contempt of Party
It started with a Chapter 11 bankruptcy tied to an Austin affiliate of the Forest Park hospital. It ended with a revelation in a separate case in Dallas of multiple potentially illegal transfers of millions of dollars during the bankruptcy proceeding. The bankruptcy case has now reopened to determine whether a Dallas private equity manager, the recipient of these millions, should be held in contempt and hit with six-figure sanctions. The Lawbook has the story.
Houston Energy Litigator at Center of High-Profile Battle of Famed Artist’s Legacy
Most days, Hogan Lovells partner Kevin Lipson dives into complex legal matters for energy regulation law. But today, his attention was on an art auction that reeled in $5 million for the estate of famed artist Robert Indiana, known around the world for his “LOVE” images. Lipson represents the executor of Indiana’s estate. Details here on how he got involved.
Houston Litigation Boutique Scores $190M Settlement for Natural Resource Partners
Houston-based MLP Natural Resource Partners recently got a $25 million payday thanks to their lawyers at Schiffer Hicks Johnson. The payment is tied to a $190 million settlement the firm obtained in a payment dispute tied to a couple coal mines owned by Foresight Energy. Details here.
The Secret To Defending An Oil Company? Don’t Expect Love
There are three ways to defend an oil company involved in litigation, according to EDGE Litigation Consulting’s Dan Jacks and Mark Sobus: the good, the bad and the downright ugly. But even if it’s ugly, it’s best to start any defense with the reality of what jurors really think about your client going in.
