Polsinelli Adds First Patent Litigators to Dallas Office
Michael Pegues and Jason Wietjes said the Kansas City-based firm’s platform is more conducive to serving their existing clients and to develop new business.
Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury

Michael Pegues and Jason Wietjes said the Kansas City-based firm’s platform is more conducive to serving their existing clients and to develop new business.

Barry Smitherman has been an investment banker who specializes in the capital markets. He prosecuted domestic violence cases as a lawyer in the Harris County District Attorney’s office. He chaired the Texas Public Utility Commission and the state’s Railroad Commission. Now, he has a new title: partner at Vinson & Elkins.

Barry Smitherman has been an investment banker who specializes in the capital markets. He prosecuted domestic violence cases as a lawyer in the Harris County District Attorney’s office. He chaired the Texas Public Utility Commission and the state’s Railroad Commission. Now, he has a new title: partner at Vinson & Elkins.

U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis handled more than 1,700 patent infringement cases during his 13 years on the Eastern District bench, handing some of the biggest IP disputes in the U.S. In an interview with The Texas Lawbook, Judge Davis said he is leaving the bench and taking his patent expertise to Fish & Richardson, where he said he plans to advise business clients that have cases in East Texas. “Some people think it takes a Ph.D to decide a patent disputes, but these cases are really about who is telling the truth,” he said.

U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis handled more than 1,700 patent infringement cases during his 13 years on the Eastern District bench, handing some of the biggest IP disputes in the U.S. In an interview with The Texas Lawbook, Judge Davis said he is leaving the bench and taking his patent expertise to Fish & Richardson, where he said he plans to advise business clients that have cases in East Texas. “Some people think it takes a Ph.D to decide a patent disputes, but these cases are really about who is telling the truth,” he said.

In a Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, Houston lawyer Steve Corso explains why he chose Haynes and Boone, how his experiences at the Justice Department and the SEC have shaped him as a lawyer and what kinds of cases the government is focusing on.

JC Penney announced that its deputy general counsel, Janet Link, has been named the interim GC until a replacement is named.

This year’s named distinguished alumni were: commercial litigator Mike Gruber; immigration attorney Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Cedillo-Pereira; Chevron Europe, Eurasia and Middle East Exploration & Production Limited General Counsel Siriporn Chaiyasuta; Human Rights Initiative of North Texas Executive Director Bill Holston; and SMU Dedman professor emeritus Joseph McKnight.

Danny Ashby said he and his team made the move because of the potential to work with Morgan Lewis’ “tremendous litigation talent in Houston” and the Philadelphia-based firm’s recent merger with Bingham.

Danny Ashby said he and his team made the move because of the potential to work with Morgan Lewis’ “tremendous litigation talent in Houston” and the Philadelphia-based firm’s recent merger with Bingham.

Gerald Welch, formerly of Dentons, will lead the Troy, Michigan-based firm's fourth office nationwide.

The addition of Kevin Lewis comes on the heels of three other lateral hires – energy finance partner Robert Stephens and private equity and oil and gas partners David Denechaud and Joe Flack – in the past four months. Lewis says he “cherished” his time at V&E and feels like he is moving from one excellent firm to another. He will help lead Sidley's corporate governance and compliance group and its airlines and aviation practice.
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