Oncor General Counsel Allen Nye will become the utility’s CEO. In an exclusive interview, Nye discusses negotiations with Warren Buffett, the Energy Future Holdings bankruptcy and how the Texas Public Utility Commission will view the proposed deal with Berkshire Hathaway.
Oncor GC: 'There is only one deal on the table'
Oncor General Counsel Allen Nye will become the utility’s CEO. In an exclusive interview, Nye discusses negotiations with Warren Buffett, the Energy Future Holdings bankruptcy and how the Texas Public Utility Commission will view the proposed deal with Berkshire Hathaway.
Masergy Names Jeff Walker its new GC
Jeff Walker, who spent the past decade in leadership positions in the Energy Future Holdings and RadioShack legal departments, is the new general counsel at Masergy Communications. In an exclusive interview with The Texas Lawbook, Walker discusses his in-house experiences – including having to tell a majority shareholder no and firing his company’s president – his plans for outside counsel at Masergy and his recent family vacation of a lifetime.
Millennial Energy Hires Clay Brett as New GC
Houston-based Millennial Energy Partners has hired, as you might expect, a millennial to be the independent, privately-held oil and gas firm’s first general counsel. Former Wilkie Farr lawyer Clay Brett, 30, will lead the young company’s corporate legal department.
Bizarre $12M Trade Secrets Case for Quantlab Finally Nears an End
A decade-long legal battle between a privately-held Houston financial research firm and Ukrainian mathematician and a Wisconsin securities lawyer nicknamed Emo over secret algorithms and mathematical formulas that aid high frequency trading is finally coming to an end thanks to a decision by the Fifth Circuit. The story involves FBI raids, secret meetings at a Greek Orthodox monastery in Arizona and the patron saint of St. Petersburg. Quantlab GC Tim McInturf of Houston discusses the importance of this bizarre trade secrets case and the work of his outside counsel.
Russ Hubbard: Keeping American Airlines Data Safe & Secure
When American Airlines promoted Russ Hubbard to associate general counsel last week, the airline was demonstrating how important cybersecurity and data privacy are to the company. Hubbard is one of the nation’s leading legal experts on an issue that now threatens every business in the U.S. This article is looks at Hubbard’s career and the steps he’s taking at American to protect his employer and their passengers.
Russ Hubbard: Keeping American Airlines Data Safe & Secure
When American Airlines promoted Russ Hubbard to associate general counsel last week, the airline was demonstrating how important cybersecurity and data privacy are to the company. Hubbard is one of the nation’s leading legal experts on an issue that now threatens every business in the U.S. This article is looks at Hubbard’s career and the steps he’s taking at American to protect his employer and their passengers.
David Peavler Exits SEC for HD Vest Financial
The SEC is expected to announce Friday that Associate Director David L. Peavler is leaving his position as head of the enforcement division in the agency’s Fort Worth Regional Office to be the new general counsel at Irving-based HD Vest Financial. Peavler was involved in some of the biggest and most important enforcement actions in recent years.
Willis & Sellers Keep ‘Legal Issues from Distracting’ the Business of Interstate Batteries
Dallas-based Interstate Batteries CLO Chris Willis and GC Kelvin Sellers have been busy during the past two years. They opened operations in China and acquired a 19 percent ownership in a firm that recycles lead acid batteries, while also maintaining the company’s sponsorship of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch and the Joe Gibbs Racing team.
“We work hard to keep legal matters from distracting the business,” Willis says. This article peaks inside the legal department at Interstate.
Willis & Sellers Keep ‘Legal Issues from Distracting’ the Business of Interstate Batteries
Dallas-based Interstate Batteries CLO Chris Willis and GC Kelvin Sellers have been busy during the past two years. They opened operations in China and acquired a 19 percent ownership in a firm that recycles lead acid batteries, while also maintaining the company’s sponsorship of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch and the Joe Gibbs Racing team.
“We work hard to keep legal matters from distracting the business,” Willis says. This article peaks inside the legal department at Interstate.
Texas GCs: The Billable Hour is Alive & Well
The death of the billable hour has been predicted for two decades. Skyrocketing rates often exceeding $1,200 an hour are causing corporate GCs to revisit alternative fee agreements again. But a new Texas Lawbook survey of 46 general counsel shows companies are hesitant to abandon the billable hour.
ACC-DFW & The Texas Lawbook Partner on Official Best Corporate Counsel Awards of 2017
The Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel announced Monday that it is officially partnering with The Texas Lawbook for the annual Best Corporate Counsel Awards of 2017. Each year, the ACC-DFW Chapter honors corporate in-house lawyers for their exceptional work and successes during the previous year.
“By teaming with The Texas Lawbook, we are taking the event to an all new level,” says ACC-DFW 1st Vice President David Kilpatrick, who is GC at EnvironX Solutions. Read for full details.
ACC-DFW & The Texas Lawbook Partner on Official Best Corporate Counsel Awards of 2017
The Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel announced Monday that it is officially partnering with The Texas Lawbook for the annual Best Corporate Counsel Awards of 2017. Each year, the ACC-DFW Chapter honors corporate in-house lawyers for their exceptional work and successes during the previous year.
“By teaming with The Texas Lawbook, we are taking the event to an all new level,” says ACC-DFW 1st Vice President David Kilpatrick, who is GC at EnvironX Solutions. Read for full details.
Patent Lit is AT&T Legal Team’s Specialty
Facing a mountain of patent infringement lawsuits, AT&T GC David McAtee created a specialized five lawyer group within the corporate legal department focusing exclusively on patent infringement litigation. The mission was twofold: enhance the ability to defend the company and reduce the attractiveness of AT&T as a target of frivolous lawsuits. The team is witnessing results, including overcoming the hesitancy of outside counsel to work so closely with the in-house team.
“An outside lawyer who doesn’t welcome this won’t remain our outside lawyer for very long,” says AT&T Assc. GC Neal Berinhout.
Patent Lit is AT&T Legal Team’s Specialty
Facing a mountain of patent infringement lawsuits, AT&T GC David McAtee created a specialized five lawyer group within the corporate legal department focusing exclusively on patent infringement litigation. The mission was twofold: enhance the ability to defend the company and reduce the attractiveness of AT&T as a target of frivolous lawsuits. The team is witnessing results, including overcoming the hesitancy of outside counsel to work so closely with the in-house team.
“An outside lawyer who doesn’t welcome this won’t remain our outside lawyer for very long,” says AT&T Assc. GC Neal Berinhout.
Texas Lawbook Exclusive: Business Law Firms Announce Record Rate Hikes – GCs Respond
Two-dozen corporate general counsel tell The Texas Lawbook that their outside law firms are raising rates to record high levels. Scores of Texas business lawyers now charge $1,000 or more per hour and another 200 are likely to cross the $1,000-an-hour threshold in the next couple years.
Ten Things GCs Should Know about Trans-border Transactions
One of the most exciting events for an in-house lawyer is when their company becomes involved in a merger/acquisition, joint venture, or other strategic transaction that is international in nature. And it really becomes fun when it involves multiple companies in multiple countries. There are a number of things corporate legal department in-house lawyers need to know to help facilitate a smooth landing of the deal.
Here are ten things you need to know for a successful trans-border transaction:
Ten Things: In-House Counsel Working at Home
Corporate in-house counsel working from home can allow lawyers to be more productive, generate improved morale and used as a retention tool and as a way of attracting new talent. While working from home is growing, many general counsel are hesitate to permit it because they have one primary concern: “If I cannot see them, how do I know they are really working?” This article examines the benefits and pitfalls of in-house counsel working at home.
Trump. Russians. Hacking.
Cybersecurity professionals usually welcome the exposure of major data privacy breaches in the news (think Target, Home Depot, Yahoo!). The result of the media attention drives cybersecurity awareness, leading to folks to be more concerned about how to protect themselves and their companies. The allegations of Russian hacking of our elections marks a significant departure from this typical, cybersecurity incident silver lining. This article explains why.
Tip of the Hat to Exxon Mobil’s Bill Buck
Exxon Mobil Upstream GC William Buck is retiring from the world’s largest oil and gas operation after 36 years. He is being replaced by Chip Casey, who is Exxon Mobil’s chief attorney over its production division. Buck’s commitment to the legal profession and public service is unparalleled. EOG Resources GC Michael P. Donaldson says Buck “was on the front lines of providing access to justice for our veterans and other in need of legal assistance.”
“For some lawyers, pro bono is something they have to support as part of their jobs. For Bill, the commitment to pro bono is genuine and deep,” says LyondellBasell CLO Jeffrey Kaplan. The Texas Lawbook honors Bill Buck for a tremendous legal career.
General Counsel Alana Newhook is a Star – Literally
As a law student, Alana Newhook dreamed of working as a lawyer for a professional hockey team. Five years later, she is living that dream. “[Newhook] is already the envy of many attorneys as she has combined her legal skills and talents with her passion for hockey,” says FedEx Office GC Kimble Scott. At age 29, Newhook may be the youngest corporate general counsel in Texas. This is her story.