How a Partner-Associate Duo in Houston Helped Change Alabama Tenant Law
Winston & Strawn partner Paula Hinton has a multitude of achievements under her belt to be proud of. She’s cleared a Waste Management subsidiary from 99 percent of a $3.8
McKool Scores PTAB Win #2 for Sinus Surgery Device
A group of lawyers from the Dallas office of McKool Smith have scored a Patent Trial and Appeal Board win for a patent that a Dallas ear, nose & throat surgeon owns related to the technology of sinus surgery.
Federal Court Dismisses Pier 1 Shareholder Suit… Again
A Dallas federal judge this week dismissed a shareholder class action that alleged Fort Worth-based Pier 1 Imports and two former executives committed securities fraud when they misrepresented the company’s financial health to investors. The significance of the ruling is twofold: it not only marks a big win for a team of Bracewell lawyers, but it also went through a somewhat unusual procedure. Spoiler alert: the parties had to fully brief the motion to dismiss issue twice. The Texas Lawbook has the details.
Appeals Court Reverses Right of First Refusal Mineral Rights Issue
A Texarkana appeals court has issued an opinion that favors a Dallas E&P company in a mineral rights dispute in East Texas and provides clarity on right of first refusal clauses in oil and gas leases.
SCOTX: Did Someone Interfere with your Inheritance? Too Bad.
The Texas Supreme Court ruled on Friday that there is no cause of action in Texas for intentional interference with inheritance, a ruling that will not allow the heirs of a wealthy oilman to invalidate a will change that gave a bulk of their inheritance to charities.
Jury Awards Former Glazer’s Liquor Executives $2.4M in Lost Compensation
A Dallas County jury has awarded $2.4 million to two former executives of Glazer’s liquor distribution company, finding they were owed compensation when the company combined with Southern Wine & Spirits in 2016.
Randy Johnston Helps ‘No Easy Day’ Navy SEAL Author Get His Day in Court
For the past four years, Dallas lawyer Randy Johnston has been quietly representing the author of No Easy Day, a controversial book by a former U.S. Navy SEAL about the raid that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden. The book gained notoriety after it was published without Pentagon review, a circumstance Johnston says was the result of bad advice from an Indiana-based lawyer. The lawyer’s bad advice resulted in a pair of federal investigations, the loss of $6.6 million in royalties intended for charity and a load of vitriol from the press. Two weeks ago, a federal magistrate cleared the way for a trial in the case, and Johnston says he is determined to set the record straight. The Texas Lawbook brings the case up to date.
Judge Allows Mineral Interest Fight Against Chesapeake, Total E&P to Proceed
A state court in Fort Worth has denied requests by Chesapeake Exploration and Total E&P USA to dismiss claims in multidistrict litigation brought by North Texas mineral interest owners over “sham” transactions tied to royalty payments. The ruling continues a widespread rebellion by mineral rights owners who claim the Oklahoma City energy giant cheated them on royalty payments. Details in The Texas Lawbook
Lawsuit Claims Funeral Home Wrongfully Moved 80-Year-Old’s Parents’ Remains
The 80-year-old scion of a Dallas oil and gas production company has sued the owners of Restland Cemetery for allowing the removal of his parents’ remains to another cemetery without his consent. The suit, though filed against Restland, evolved from a long-simmer business dispute between Dorfman and his late brother's children. Natalie Posgate has the vivid details.
Chinese Counterfeit Producers: Say ‘Ni Hao’ to Patterson + Sheridan Duo
He knows trademark infringement. She speaks fluent Mandarin. Together they make the rounds at trade shows looking for illegal knock-offs of their clients' products with the aim of friendly persuasion. Say "Ni Hao" to Bruce Patterson and Nan Carr, two lawyers with an unusual approach to their IP practice and a track record of sometimes surprising success. Natalie Posgate has the story.