AT&T’s legal battle with the U.S. Justice Dept. received two major boosts this week when several major pro-business organizations and nine state attorneys general filed separate amicus briefs.
Papa John’s Board Adds Texas-Sized “Poison Pill” As New Topping on Its Menu
Does the Papa John’s dispute hold any lessons for Texas public corporations? Porter Hedges partners Jeff Elkin and Joe Morrel outline them here.
Houston Judge Rejects Class Action Status in $35M Case Against AT&T
A federal judge in Houston has refused to grant class action certification to a lawsuit claiming that hundreds of property owners between Dallas and Houston were contaminated by 200 miles of coaxial cable buried 70 years ago by AT&T.
Bill Munck – The Coach
Growing up on Long Island, Bill Munck dreamed of being a police officer like his father. Instead, Munck became a lawyer and has built one of the most successful IP law firms in Texas.
New Patent Lawsuits Continue to Decline in TX
Businesses and individuals filed the fewest patent infringement lawsuits of the decade in the Eastern District of Texas during the first six months of 2018. South and West Texas also witnessed steep drops in patent disputes activity.
NDTX White-Collar Prosecutions to Heat Up
Northern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox said Friday that her office is getting more aggressive in identifying, pursuing and prosecuting illegal activity – especially financial fraud – by businesses and corporate leaders.
Is the Texas Civil Jury System Facing a Crisis? – Q&A with Trial Lawyer & New Author Tom Melsheimer
Winston partner Tom Melsheimer and Dallas Judge Craig Smith recently published a book discussing the importance and effectiveness of juries in deciding disputes. TLB interviewed Melsheimer about the book and attacks on the jury system.
SEC/DOJ Changing Focus, Staff Attrition Challenges & TX GCs Discuss Their White-Collar Nightmares
The world of white-collar criminal prosecutions and federal government enforcement actions is in turmoil or at least evolving significantly. Then, there is the so-called “Trump Effect” on government regulation and prosecution of businesses.
Book Excerpt: On The Jury Trial
In this chapter of their recently-released book, Tom Melsheimer and Judge Craig Smith argue that closing arguments, while important and dramatic, aren’t necessarily the most important phase of a trial.
SEC Charges Colleyville Broker-Dealer with Fraud
Thomas Caufield was not a character in J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, but the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission says he has been up to no good nonetheless.