Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury
A proposed class action lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Texas claims former bankruptcy Judge David Jones, former Jackson Walker bankruptcy partner Elizabeth Freeman and major law firms allegedly hid the romantic relationship between Jones and Freeman. Jones resigned from the bench in 2023 after news of his relationship with Freeman was publicly reported.
Luxury retailer Saks Global Holdings, the parent company of Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday in the Southern District of Texas. The retailer selected Willkie Farr, Haynes Boone and Bradley Arant as its lead legal advisors to guide the bankruptcy.
A Florida company that makes laser sensors for vehicles filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday in Houston, citing $508 million in liabilities owed to more than 200 creditors but only $189 million in assets.
Luminar Technologies hired Weil Gotshal as its lead outside legal advisor, with Houston partner Stephanie Morrison and New York partner Ronit Berkovich leading the way. The case has been assigned to Houston Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez.
A federal bankruptcy judge in Houston has determined that while a litigation trustee’s $4.65 million settlement demand is reasonable, the court cannot compel Relm Insurance Ltd. to fund the within-limits settlement.
Western District of Texas Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig A. Gargotta issued a 199-page opinion and order Tuesday in a case he’s been presiding over for six years. He wrote that the trustee failed to prove all but one of its claims for relief and awarded just $1 in damages. “Further, there was insufficient evidence to support an award of damages or attorney’s fees in this case,” he wrote. “The result may be viewed as harsh, but it is appropriate.”
Houston-headquartered PosiGen and 10 of its affiliated companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday in the Southern District of Texas.
Buckingham Senior Living Community cited between 1,000 and 5,000 creditors who are owed between $100 million and $500 million, according to court documents. Buckingham has hired McDermott, Will & Schulte as its lead legal advisor. Partner Marcus Alan Helt of the firm’s Dallas office filed the first day documents in the case.
In the concise eight-page order, Chief U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Texas Alia Moses denied Jackson Walker’s demand for a jury trial, hit pause on several proposed settlements the firm has reached with its former bankruptcy clients, consolidated the 34 cases where the U.S. Trustee is trying to claw back millions in fees, and sent them back to the Southern District of Texas bankruptcy judge who had been overseeing the cases until April.
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