The Federal Trade Commission on Friday dismissed its remaining claims against DIRECTV in the middle of a bench trial that once had $4 billion at stake. The dismissal is the denouement to an opinion issued by a federal judge in California in August that arguably killed the case for the FTC.
Rusty Hardin Promotes Three to Partner
The Houston trial firm’s newly-minted partners are all women.
A Word with USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director Andrei Iancu spoke at the SMU Dedman School of Law Friday during its Tsai Leadership Lecture series. The Texas Lawbook’s Natalie Posgate had the opportunity to sit down with Director Iancu for a few minutes after the program. Check here to find out what he said.
Fifth Circuit Hands John O’Quinn Final Courtroom Defeat
The Fifth Circuit ruled late Thursday that Lexington Insurance Co. was not required to indemnify famed trial lawyer John O’Quinn, who died in 2009, and his law firm for the costs of settling a case that accused him of improperly charging his clients for millions and millions of dollars in expenses that had nothing to do with the litigation.
SCOTX Hears New Case Regarding Post-Production Deductions
For nine years Burlington Resources deducted post-production costs from royalties paid to Amber Harvest for development in the Eagle Ford. Then came the 2015 Chesapeake v. Hyder decision, and now Amber Harvest is asking SCOTX to make Burlington reimburse them. Janet Elliott details their arguments before the court.
Feud Unravels Between K&L Gates and Client in New Lawsuit – Updated
A San Marcos manufacturing client of K&L Gates filed a legal malpractice suit Tuesday, alleging that the firm represented their lenders against them in a debt dispute. The suit identifies two former K&L Gates lawyers in the conflict, one of them now a clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.
State Bar of Texas Litigation Section to Honor Founder of Texas Civil Rights Project
Austin lawyer James C. Harrington will be inducted as a Texas Legal Legend on Oct. 31.
Jury Awards Take-Nothing Defense Verdict in Feud over Houston Family Business
A Houston jury has awarded a take-nothing defense verdict to three brothers who were accused by two of their other siblings of fraud, securities violations and breach of fiduciary duty of their family business. The case involved money – approximately $30 million – but defense lawyers say the dispute, like many family court battles, went deeper.
Finally, SCOTX Settles ‘Jarndyce v. Jarndyce’
A 46-year-old property tax case was finally settled by the Texas Supreme Court. Their ruling in the inter-county dispute, often compared to Dickens’ famously epic litigation, was settled in favor of San Patricio County.
After a Quirky Trial, Shook Hardy Scores Win in Fifth Circuit
It was a defense counsel’s dream. After the plaintiffs rested, defense lawyers presented a motion for judgment as a matter of law to U.S. District Judge Samuel Ray Cummings in Lubbock. And he granted it. But that was only one odd turn in a trial – now blessed by the Fifth Circuit – during which procedure really, really mattered.