Complex Trade Secrets Trial Ends with Mixed Verdict

A Houston jury issued a mixed verdict Monday in a contentious fight between two Texas energy services companies over trade secrets, confidentiality and a non-compete agreement. M-I Swaco sued rival National Oilwell Varco for stealing one of its employees, Jeff Russo, who had signed a non-compete agreement. The verdict allows Russo to keep his job at NOV while finding that M-I Swaco acted in bad faith when it claimed Russo misappropriated trade secrets as a way to enforce the non-compete agreement. But the jury also found that Russo failed to comply with M-I Swaco's confidentiality provisions. The Houston Chronicle has full details..

February 28, 2017 Mark Curriden

Latham Advises in Prevailing Bankruptcy Bid for Appalachia Properties

Louisiana-based Stone Energy said Monday that it has closed its previously announced $527 million sale of its 86,000 acres in the Appalachian regions to Pittsburgh-based EQT Corp.

February 28, 2017 Mark Curriden

After Slow 2016, Optimism for Equity Offerings in 2017

Huge gains in the stock market since the election and an expectation of some form of tax reform and relaxation of regulations has many market professionals bullish on prospects for 2017, Bill Howell, a Dallas partner at Sidley, writes. In Texas, Howell notes that while we may see just a handful of technology, biotech and other industry representatives like Austin-based Yeti complete IPOs this year, energy will likely drive the number of new entrants to the public markets as in years past.

February 28, 2017 Mark Curriden

Mergermarket: Elite National Firms Get Fattest Slice of TX Megadeals

The battle to represent Texas corporations in their largest mergers, acquisitions and divestitures is being won by a half-dozen law firms with offices in Texas and more than a dozen that have no presence in the state at all. New data from independent research firm Mergermarket: shows Texas-based businesses are turning to national law firms headquartered outside of the state to handle the crème de la crème of mega-mergers, acquisitions and divestitures in 2016.

February 27, 2017 Mark Curriden

Mergermarket: Elite National Firms Get Fattest Slice of TX Megadeals

The battle to represent Texas corporations in their largest mergers, acquisitions and divestitures is being won by a half-dozen law firms with offices in Texas and more than a dozen that have no presence in the state at all. New data from independent research firm Mergermarket: shows Texas-based businesses are turning to national law firms headquartered outside of the state to handle the crème de la crème of mega-mergers, acquisitions and divestitures in 2016.

February 27, 2017 Mark Curriden

‘Judicial Icon’ Chief Justice Jack Pope Dies at 103

His judicial tenure, as a whole, was the longest of any Texas Supreme Court justice.

February 25, 2017 Mark Curriden

V&E Advises in $3.6B Earth Imagery Acquisition

A group of Texas Vinson & Elkins lawyers advised Canada-based MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates on a $3.6 billion acquisition of DigitalGlobe, a Colorado-based global provider of high-resolution Earth imagery products and services.

February 25, 2017 Mark Curriden

V&E Advises in $3.6B Earth Imagery Acquisition

A group of Texas Vinson & Elkins lawyers advised Canada-based MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates on a $3.6 billion acquisition of DigitalGlobe, a Colorado-based global provider of high-resolution Earth imagery products and services.

February 25, 2017 Mark Curriden