Meet the New Head of Litigation at J.D. Silva & Associates
J.D. Silva & Associates’ new head of litigation is based in Pearland. She hopes to strengthen the firm's trial team.
Litigation Roundup: Challenge to ‘Death Star Bill’ Implodes
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, a professional gambler is accused of running a $9 million Ponzi scheme, a few cities challenging the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act are dealt a loss on appeal, and the Kentucky attorney general taps a Dallas law firm to help bring a consumer protection lawsuit against shopping website Temu.
GlobalFoundries to Pay Katana Silicon Technologies $9.2M
Katana Silicon Technologies in 2022 filed suit against GlobalFoundries, alleging infringement of patents covering microscopic devices related to semiconductor manufacturing and chip packaging technologies. An Austin jury found for Katana on one of three claims.
Minority Owner of Cicis Pizza Secures $46M Verdict
After a week of testimony and nearly five hours for jury deliberations, one cousin walked away a winner Wednesday night. The cousins fought over the management fee, distributions and whether they were meeting the requirements of their jobs. The jury returned a $46 million verdict, but the defense will argue Gala has to pick which $23 million claim to recover damages on.
In Landmark Decision, SCOTX Holds that Produced Water Belongs to the Mineral Estate Lessee
The decision provides clarity for upstream and midstream entities, landowners and environmental tech startups grappling with the emerging value of what was once considered merely a wasteful byproduct — produced water — but now, through technological advances in recycling and mineral extraction, has the potential to become a new source of significant revenue.
‘The Right Side of History’ — Texas Law Students Call on Firms to Defend Rule of Law
In response to President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting Susman Godfrey, 57 Texas law students signed a student-led amicus brief supporting the firm and warning of the order’s chilling effect on the legal profession. The Texas Lawbook reached out to the 57 — seven agreed to be interviewed. The students, including organizer Brennan Caruthers, say the amicus brief and their actions were born from a growing frustration among students who felt the legal profession had been largely silent in the face of mounting political pressure.
Parties Rest in Emotional Weeklong Cicis Trial
Jury trial in the $10 million dispute between cousins who bought Cicis Pizza’s debt during the COVID-19 global pandemic continues with testimony from one of the cousins and a valuation expert. The plaintiff’s counsel rested its case Monday afternoon, and the defense rested its case Tuesday afternoon.
Fifth Circuit Tells Judge O’Connor More Analysis Needed in Media Matters, X Corp. Venue Spat
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Tuesday instructed U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor to conduct a more thorough analysis before deciding whether to grant a motion from Media Matters to move a lawsuit to the Northern District of California.
Litigation Roundup: CEO Indicted in Alleged UT Austin Arena Bid Rigging Conspiracy
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit finds that a lawsuit challenging admissions practices at the University of Texas at Austin is not moot, a fake immigration lawyer faces prison time, and the Western District of Texas announces a high-profile indictment.
Legal Experts: River Inn, Mystic Camp and Others to Face Investigations and Litigation
Even as state and local officials deflect or even criticize questions seeking answers about the lack of flash flood warning systems in Kerr County that caused the deaths of more than 120 people, including 36 children, last weekend along the Guadalupe River, eight legal experts tell The Texas Lawbook that now is the time to begin seeking and preserving evidence and investigating what happened and how it happened. The lawyers, who specialize in representing victims and defendants in these kinds of catastrophic events, said the families and survivors are not thinking about money — only answers.
Cousins Testify at Trial in Dispute Over Cicis Pizza Business Partnership
The cousins who purchased Cicis’ debt each took the stand Wednesday in the jury trial in Dallas County, where compensatory damages of $10 million are being sought. The trial is expected to last through Monday.
A Practical Guide to Recovering Fees Under 28 U.S.C. § 1920
Winning litigants — and their lawyers — could be leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table by not filing for recoverable costs in addition to attorneys’ fees. Recoverable costs can include transcription or video deposition fees, as well as other expenses incurred before and during litigation. Seeking recoverable costs requires following specific procedures, which, in Texas federal courts, are not immediately obvious. However, being able to hand a client not just a victory and attorney’s fees but also additional unexpected money makes filing worth the effort.