Thought Leadership: Miles Mediation & Arbitration Opens New Office in Houston
Two of Miles’ Houston panelists, Ron Bankston and Louis Selig, discuss the impact of the new office and recent trends in mediation.
My Five Favorite Books: Andrew Gratz (Deputy General Counsel at Archrock)
The lawyers who have the greatest impact are those who know how to lead. This realization led me to create the Lawyers as Leaders course and the Initiative on Lawyers as Leaders at the University of Houston Law Center. These books have influenced how I practice, how I teach, and how I mentor others. They reinforce a simple but powerful idea. Leadership is not defined by a title. It is defined by trust, judgment, and the ability to help others navigate complex decisions with confidence.
My Five Favorite Books: James A. Deeken (Fund Formation Partner at Akin)
A potentially life-changing book for any professional, an inspiring story of triumph, and a narrative of moral courage are among my favorite books.
My Five Favorite (True Crime) Books: Natalie LeVeck (Senior Counsel at Google/YouTube)
When I was asked to write about my five favorite books, I initially shuddered at the idea of admitting to my law colleagues that I have a long-standing (and deeply ingrained) obsession with true crime. But after a quick dive into statistics about the popularity of true crime shows, films, and podcasts — particularly among women in my age range — I felt a little less exposed. Maybe what started for me in middle school, watching Dateline with my family, isn’t quite as niche as I once thought.
Ganjei Confirmed as SDTX Judge
The U.S. Senate confirmed Nicholas Ganjei, who was the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas, to a lifetime federal judgeship in Houston Tuesday. He succeeds retired Judge Lynn H. Hughes.
Premium Subscriber Q&A: Comerica Deputy General Counsel Hope Schall
Hope Schall was part of the Comerica legal team that won the 2025 DFW Corporate Counsel Award for M&A Transaction of the Year related to the bank’s $10.9 billion merger with Fifth Third Bank. In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, she discusses the traits she seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with her and more.
Premium Subscriber Q&A: Comerica Deputy General Counsel Nicole Gersch
Nicki Gersch was part of the Comerica legal team that won the 2025 DFW Corporate Counsel Award for M&A Transaction of the Year related to the bank’s $10.9 billion merger with Fifth Third Bank. In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, she discusses the traits she seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with her and more.
Premium Subscriber Q&A: Comerica Division General Counsel Steve Franklin
Steve Franklin was part of the Comerica legal team that won the 2025 DFW Corporate Counsel Award for M&A Transaction of the Year related to the bank’s $10.9 billion merger with Fifth Third Bank. In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, he discusses the traits he seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with him and more.
Premium Subscriber Q&A: Comerica Deputy GC General Counsel Ashley Fincher
Ashley Fincher was part of the Comerica legal team that won the 2025 DFW Corporate Counsel Award for M&A Transaction of the Year related to the bank’s $10.9 billion merger with Fifth Third Bank. In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, she discusses the traits she seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with her and more.
Houston Lawyer Tara Arnold, Five Others Killed in Maine Jet Crash
A private jet registered to Houston plaintiff's firm Arnold & Itkin crashed upon take-off at Bangor International Airport late Sunday killing all six aboard. By Tuesday evening, officials had yet to release the names of those killed in the fiery crash, but the victims reportedly included Tara Arnold, 46, an attorney at the firm and the wife of one of its founders.
Dallas Judge Sues Commissioner Price for Defamation
Commissioner John Wiley Price is facing a lawsuit seeking up to $1 million in damages for alleged defamation of Dallas County District Judge Vonda Bailey. Judge Bailey’s lawsuit points to comments Price made during Commissioners Court meetings last year regarding her clearance rate and attendance as the basis of her claims.
My Five Favorite Books: Kristen Cook (Chief Legal Officer at The Brink’s Company)
While I gravitate toward fiction, I do enjoy mixing in leadership and business books to challenge myself and broaden my perspective, but I won’t stray from fiction for too long, as I am convinced that even the lightest works of fiction offer valuable insights. Each of these works has moved me profoundly, resonating with me on a personal level. They all share themes that have shaped my outlook and contributed to my understanding of myself and the world.