Crowe & Dunlevy Lures Two Former Gardere IP Experts
The Oklahoma City law firm has added two intellectual property partners in Dallas, including the former chair of Gardere's IP practice.
Lawsuit Alleges Immigration Fraud at Major Building Services Firm
In a lawsuit filed in state court, a Dallas-based financial services firm alleged that it was being defrauded by a small subcontractor doing business with a major building services firm. But what began as a relatively straight-forward lawsuit involving an executive kickback scheme has morphed into a RICO suit alleging that a Fortune 500 company has been routinely flouting immigration and tax laws. Natalie Posgate recounts the saga in The Texas Lawbook.
Updated – UNT Dallas College of Law Names New Dean
The Dallas law school announced Monday that Angela Felecia Epps, former dean of Florida A&M University College of Law, will replace Judge Royal Furgeson this summer.
Updated – 20 Lawyers On the Move After Foley Gardere Merger
Four of the lawyers departing Gardere were leaders of practice or industry groups.
Lennox Int’l CLO John Torres – The ‘Gold Standard’ for Corporate General Counsel
© 2018 The Texas Lawbook. By Mark Curriden (April 2) – For John Torres, there was no inspirational story or significant life experience that led him to become a lawyer.
Texas Lawbook Exclusive: Gardere and Foley Reach Merger Agreement
The move had been anticipated for months, but an agreement has finally been reached. Dallas-based Gardere Wynne Sewell is combining with Milwaukee’s Foley & Lardner, effective April 1. The new firm will be known as Foley Gardere in Texas. The combined firm, with 1,100 lawyers, 24 offices and revenues of $850 million, will rank among the AmLaw 50. The Texas Lawbook has exclusive details on Gardere’s search for a national partner, Foley’s big Texas gambit, and in-depth interviews with the top lawyers at both firms.
Hopper-1, JP Morgan-0 in Post-$8B Probate Verdict Rulings
A Dallas probate judge on Wednesday ordered J.P. Morgan Chase Bank to pay $5.5 million in attorneys’ fees to the widow of an American Airlines executive for an $8 billion jury verdict she and her stepchildren won against the bank last fall.
Is the DOL’s Fiduciary Rule Dead – or Only Mostly Dead?
A recent decision by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the Department of Labor's so-called fiduciary rule, a set of regulations which would require that all retirement investing advice provided by financial professionals be in the best interest of their clients. The law's uncertain future now rests in the hands of the Trump administration's DOL. Timothy G. Verrall and Ron Chapman, Jr. of Ogletree Deakins provide an analysis.
A Three-Minute Call & Two Multi-Billion-dollar Wire Transfers – EFH Closes Oncor Sale to Sempra & $42B Bankruptcy Ends
At 7:03 a.m. Friday, Energy Future Holdings GC Andy Wright leaned into a conference room phone on the 41st floor of Energy Plaza in downtown Dallas and spoke six simple words: “EFH has signed off. We release.” Two hours later, two wire transfers totalling $9.4 billion were received. At 9:34 a.m., EFH officially sold its 80 percent ownership in Oncor Electric and the four-year-long, $42 billion corporate bankruptcy came to an end. The Texas Lawbook was in the conference room and provides exclusive details about one of the most complex and expensive business bankruptcies in U.S. history.
Updated – CHRISTUS Health CLO Moves to Bracewell
Nancy LeGros led a legal department that advised on strategic transactions in the United States and Latin America; conducted regulatory investigations; advised on establishment of Medicare Advantage and Healthcare Exchange plans; implemented a physician contract management system; assumed management of all claims and litigation; and advised senior leadership and multiple boards of directors on compliance and governance matters.
Munsch Hardt Adds Dallas Real Estate and Finance Shareholder Melissa Jenner
Melissa Jenner was previously senior counsel at Thompson & Knight.
Is the End Near for Employee Class Actions in the 5th Circuit?
In a pair of potentially landmark decisions, the 5th Circuit recently enforced broad class action waivers in court for the first time. Such waivers could block class action lawsuits under the FLSA and other employment statutes. Mark Shoffner of Bell Nunnally explains what these decision could mean for employers in Texas.