Varsity Brands GC Burton Brillhart isn’t afraid to go to trial. He demonstrated it last month when the company asked an Alabama jury to rule that sales associates at Varsity’s graduation products affiliate violated their noncompete agreements and used their wives’ emails to hide the act. The result: A multimillion-dollar verdict for Varsity Brands. This is the story of the case, which heads back to court Friday.
Proxy Battle Turns into Legal Battle at Texas Pacific Land Trust
Lawyers for the Texas Pacific Land Trust – one of the largest landholders in the Permian Basin – are seeking an injunction against a candidate for a vacant trustee slot, alleging that he has failed – and refused – to disclose potential conflicts of interest. Natalie Posgate details the bitter proxy struggle behind the unusual lawsuit.
A Billionaire’s Battle, Blow-By-Blow
If you missed out on attending the SEC’s historic insider trading trial against Mark Cuban, a new book that’s hit the stands is your next best bet on experiencing the litigation saga. In Securities and Exchange Commission v. Cuban, SMU law professor Marc Steinberg compresses thousands of court documents to provide an insightful commentary on nearly a decade of pivotal moments and decisions that made and unmade the case.
Delaware Judge Dissolves Developer of Drug Abuse-Deterring Tech
A Delaware Chancery court on Friday ordered to dissolve a pharmaceutical company, Inspirion Delivery Sciences, which developed promising technology to make opioid painkillers more difficult to abuse. Natalie Posgate has details on the ruling and which Texas firm it’s a win for.
Lawsuit: Law Firm Digital Marketer Created ‘Digital Backdoors’ to Steal Client Info
A Dallas-area digital marketing specialist has denied in federal court allegations that he created a “back door” to a law firm’s website that allowed him to divert information about potential clients to other firms he represented. Natalie Posgate has details about the litigation behind the controversy.
Court of Appeals Considers Whether TCPA Applies to Noncompetes in TX
A three-judge panel heard oral arguments Tuesday in a contentious noncompete dispute that is currently deadlocked in an interlocutory Texas Citizens Participation Act battle. Although, a new bill passed by the Texas House might make the debate irrelevant soon. Natalie Posgate has the details.
It’s Official: Reed Smith Opens in Dallas
Reed Smith officially opened its Dallas office with 16 lateral hires from three firms. The newest law firm in Dallas says more laterals are on the way. Natalie Posgate has the details.
SCOTX Dismisses Defamation Suit Against DMN, Kevin Krause
The Supreme Court of Texas has tossed out a defamation lawsuit against the Dallas Morning News, reversing two lower courts that declined to do so despite it involving a situation that the Texas Citizens Participation Act was actually designed to protect a media outlet in.
Updated – Reed Smith Opening in Dallas; Bracewell’s Public Finance Group Stays Put
UPDATED 4:10PM – Eight lawyers from Perkins Coie and two from Bracewell are joining Reed Smith’s new Dallas office. Bracewell and Perkins Coie adamantly denied Texas Lawbook’s report that more lawyers are departing for Reed Smith. A senior lawyer at Bracewell told The Lawbook on Wednesday that the firm’s public finance group is not leaving Bracewell. This updated Texas Lawbook article has new details about Reed Smith’s plans for Dallas and statements from Bracewell and Perkins Coie that clarify and correct information from a prior version of our story.
Fort Worth Jury Awards Local Telecom Co. Millions in Trade Secret Battle
A Tarrant County jury determined Monday that Plano-based CommTech Sales unlawfully used Fort Worth telecom company XIP LLC’s trademarks and trade secrets and awarded damages that could total $31 million.