Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury
Exxon Mobil and the federal government were in the midst of a $77 million bench trial in Houston when the proceedings were interrupted by COVID-19. Instead of waiting to return to court, the parties chose to finish out the trial electronically. And while there has been no decision on the environmental dispute involved, there has been a ruling on the electronic bench-trial experience. Natalie Posgate has the verdict.
The plaintiffs alleged that their repeated exposure to violent and graphic content — child sexual abuse, beheadings, terrorism, animal cruelty and other disturbing images — have caused them PTSD and other psychological issues. The settlement, obtained by Burns Charest, is considered "a first of its kind" because it also provides workplace reform in addition to monetary relief.
The romance continued Sunday evening between Jackson Walker and Kirkland & Ellis as the bankruptcy duo filed a Chapter 11 corporate restructuring petition on behalf of Houston-based department store chain Stage Stores, which operates Bealls, Palais Royal and others.
When a furloughed mother-of-two in the Houston area was not able to make rent April 1, her landlord called and texted more than 267 times over the next month — even suggesting she take up prostitution to come up with the money. But a group of attorneys from Crawford, Wishnew & Lang swept in on a pro bono basis and successfully obtained a TRO for the tenant this week. They say the case makes their “blood boil.” Natalie Posgate explains why.
The much-anticipated move by the luxury retailer involved 24 separate entities filing in the Southern District of Texas. Natalie Posgate has the names of lawyers and bankers involved.
J.Crew is the first of an expected wave of major brand names to file for bankruptcy as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep retailers' doors shuttered. J.Crew's Chapter 11 features prolific Dallas litigators and a private equity owner with Texas roots.
The Dallas-based company has tapped lawyers at Dykema to lead it through Chapter 11. Natalie Posgate reports on this story and another bankruptcy filing by a Dallas men's clothier.
Your dog or your 4-year-old are cute additions to the office Zoom conference, but if you happen to be arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court anytime soon, you might want to get out of the house. Come Monday, the court will be taking their arguments by teleconference and the experience will be...different. We asked Dallas trial lawyer Mark Werbner for his advice on adapting the chance of a lifetime to the Age of Social Distance.
When Chevron discovered an unaffiliated company was securing business deals on counterfeit Chevron letterhead, they filed a lawsuit that resulted in a $1.1 million jury verdict. But by the time U.S. District Judge David Hittner issued his judgment, the price tag was $15.6 million. Natalie Posgate explains why.
A Dallas-based restaurant group that bears a Seinfeld-inspired company name is the latest to sue its insurer over refusal to cover business interruption and property damage claims tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Natalie Posgate provides the details.
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