Premium-Only Content: David Stryker goes into the keys to overcoming the challenges in the Starboard proxy battle and what’s next.
David Stryker’s Successfully Litigious Year
For more than four years, Huntsman Corp. and its General Counsel David Stryker fought a high-stakes legal battle over an acquisition of a company whose technology ended up not working. Stryker and Huntsman hired the law firm Kirkland & Ellis to sue for fraud and breach of contract. In 2021, Huntsman and Kirkland won, securing an arbitration victory that led to a $665 million settlement. More recently, Huntsman and Stryker secured a $94 million jury verdict in New Orleans in a separate lawsuit. Stryker’s recent wins came in quick succession, but they were the product of the deep-seated instinct for advocacy that has coursed through Stryker’ veins since the day he became a trial lawyer. The 2022 Houston Corporate Counsel Award for Business Litigation of the Year goes to Stryker and the lawyers at Kirkland & Ellis.
Huntsman Wins $94M Verdict in The Big Easy
After a three-week trial, a New Orleans jury found that industrial gas provider Praxair repeatedly breached its promises to Huntsman Corp. in a contract agreement and that those breaches directly caused Huntsman substantial financial damages. The verdict is the latest of a series of significant courtroom and boardroom wins Huntsman and its legal teams have achieved in recent months.
Kirkland and Jackson Walker Team up for Hess Subsidiary Bankruptcy — Updated
Hess Corp. subsidiary Honx Inc. filed for Chapter 11 reorganization Thursday in Houston federal court, citing asbestos claims brought by contractors and employees at a former oil refinery in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
American Airlines Flight Attendant Gets Day in Court
A jury trial that began Monday in Fort Worth state court will determine whether American Airlines will be held liable for an alleged sexual assault that one of its longtime flight attendants said was encouraged by airline executives. The night in question involves British celebrity chef Mark Sargeant. Natalie Posgate has the details.
Sunoco Wins Defense Verdict in Dallas County
A jury trial in Dallas County concluded Wednesday with a take-nothing verdict in favor of a Sunoco affiliate.
K&L Gates Hires IP Partner in Houston
Collin Rose has joined the Houston office of K&L Gates, the firm announced Monday. Rose, who joins from Chamberlain Hrdlicka, was chair of his prior firm’s intellectual property practice group.
Judge Preserves Bulk of False Claims Case Against Afghan War Defense Contractor
The ruling in the Southern District of Texas paves the way for a group of qui tam whistleblowers to continue alleging that a Dallas-based defense contractor billed the government more than $100 million for military support in Afghanistan that it did not actually provide.
AZA’s Name Shortens with Departure of Two Name Partners
Two name partners have departed Houston litigation boutique AZA, The Texas Lawbook has learned. Firm leaders declined to comment on why.
Toyota Settles EDTX Lawsuit with Hybrid Vehicle Owners
Toyota and a proposed class of hybrid-vehicle owners have settled a class action lawsuit in the Eastern District of Texas. The case had originally been set for trial this July before the court ordered mediation for the parties.