The Texas Lawbook

Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury

Commercial Litigation

Dick Sayles’ Fourth and Final Act: Master of the Courtroom

Dick Sayles announced Friday that he has departed Bradley Arant to start The Sayles Law Firm with a unique business strategy: He is not seeking any new clients. He is hiring no additional lawyers. And his business plan calls for no future growth or expansion. Instead, Sayles, who has taken more than 150 complex commercial litigation disputes to trial, plans to use his independent status to work with lawyers at other firms, including Bradley Arant, who are involved in high-stakes courtroom battles. The Texas Lawbook has an exclusive interview.

Legislature Makes Seismic Shifts on Civil Courts

Lawmakers upended the state’s system of elected district court judges and regional intermediate appellate courts as business interests won a new court system for complex business disputes. The 2023 legislature rejected efforts to cut local governments out of public nuisance suits and weaken the state’s anti-SLAPP statute.

Judge Starr’s AI Order Draws Praise

U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr could be the first in the nation to issue a standing order governing the use of artificial intelligence in his courtroom. Texas attorneys who spoke to The Lawbook about the order praised the move as a needed reminder of a lawyer’s professional obligations.

Amici Take Sides in $1.6B IBM, BMC Appeal

Six amicus briefs have been filed with the Fifth Circuit in the case where IBM is trying to undo a $1.6 billion judgment entered against it after a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Gray Miller. BMC had filed a cross appeal in the lawsuit but dropped that fight in April to “simplify and shorten the proceedings.”

Texas Business Court Poised to Usher in New Era of High Stakes Commercial Litigation

The Texas business litigation bar is abuzz with anticipation as the Texas business court bill from 2023 heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for signature. Arguably the most transformative change to the Texas judiciary since tort reform, the bill has potential to reshape the way businesses in Texas resolve complex disputes. Despite many open questions, the bill, which would require the business court to begin hearing qualifying cases beginning on Sept. 1, 2024, stands to impact business litigation in Texas sooner than later.

Under Attack, Dallas Juvenile Probation Department Hires KRCL

Dallas trial lawyer Brian Hail has successfully represented more than two-dozen clients in business disputes that resulted in multimillion-dollar trial victories. But Hail has been hired by the Dallas County Juvenile Department to fight a subpoena issued by Dallas County Commissioners for tens of thousands of “observation sheets” of children being detained earlier this year. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, Hail says the subpoena is illegal.

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