The Texas Lawbook recently visited with Norton Rose Fulbright partner Rodney Acker, the American College of Trial Lawyers’ newest president. Acker follows a legacy of Fulbright lawyers who have led the prestigious organization during an unprecedented year for the College.
Porter Hedges Wins $143M Judgment for Downhole Tech Founder
The nine-figure judgment is a bittersweet win for a team of Porter Hedges lawyers, whose client did not live to see the result. But opposing counsel at three Houston firms assured an appeal is coming — one that is sure to catch the attention of Texas employers and boards alike as important issues surrounding for cause termination play out.
UPDATED: Federal Jury Trials Shut Down Across Texas due to COVID-19
The Marshall Division of the EDTX is the latest federal court to shut down jury trials due to the coronavirus. Federal courthouses in Texarkana and Sherman have been closed through Dec. 4. Judges in the Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas have postponed most or even all in-person jury trials for the remainder of 2020. The Texas Lawbook has the details.
Three Federal Judges to TX GC Forum: COVID Issues Rule
Don’t expect federal civil jury trials in Texas to increase for the next few months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, three federal judges told 200 Texas general counsel Thursday. The judges have some other pet peeves, too.
Judge Declares Mistrial in EDTX Case that Underwent COVID-19 Outbreak — Updated
A federal judge in the Eastern District of Texas on Tuesday declared a mistrial in a commercial case after a COVID-19 outbreak among participants of the jury trial temporarily closed the Sherman federal courthouse and left the parties with less than six jurors.
Prominent Austin and Dallas Plaintiffs’ Law Firms Merge
The firms announced Tuesday that their two shops are merging to create a 10-lawyer plaintiff’s practice that will have offices in Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth.
Sherman Federal Courthouse Closed, Jury Trial Halted After Coronavirus Outbreak
A federal judge in Sherman has halted a jury trial underway in his courtroom in which multiple people involved in the trial, including two jurors, tested positive for COVID-19, according to court records and multiple sources. In response, the Paul Brown federal courthouse will be closed the rest of the week for a deep cleaning. Natalie Posgate has the scoop.
Fight Involving Texas Legal Recruiter to Proceed in Hong Kong (Maybe)
A new Fifth Circuit ruling involves an Austin legal recruiter and a competitor who are sparring in litigation that has stretched from Texas to Asia and involves accusations of defamation and theft of trade secrets.