On Friday, Texans will no longer pay sales tax for menstrual products and an array of family care products. While lawmakers passed SB 379 only a few months ago, the new state law is the product of years of work by a coalition of young Texas women and their lawyers at Baker Botts. In a Q&A with The Lawbook, the lawyers talk more about their work on this pro bono matter and SB 379’s significance.
Nonprofit Spotlight: Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center & its New COO
Tenants’ rights nonprofit Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center is in a period of growth, both in staff and operations. Its newest employee, Bill Holston, joined today and will focus primarily on growing operations as COO. The Lawbook talked with Holston about why he joined DEAC as well as Mark Melton, who provided the latest on the nonprofit that he founded in the height of the pandemic.
Veteran Antitrust Expert Jumps to King & Spalding
Sean Royall, who has represented AT&T, Facebook, Allergan and JUUL Labs, joins King & Spalding as its global head of antitrust and consumer protection. Since 2019, Royall’s career has taken him from Gibson Dunn to stops at Kirkland and Sidley and now K&S.
Abutbul Leaves Paul Hastings for Allen & Overy
The deal lawyer’s departure follows that of tax expert Greg Nelson, who left last month as 11-year chair of Paul Hastings’ Houston office for Gibson Dunn.
O’Melveny Steals Two More Lit Partners from Baker Botts
Three hours before the Houston Astros reacquired pitcher Justin Verlander in a huge trade Tuesday, O’Melveny & Myers announced its continued expansion into Texas by hiring away two prominent litigation partners from Baker Botts in Houston.
Blank Rome Expands to Dallas with Corporate Group
The Philadelphia-founded law firm announced the opening of its second Texas office on Monday with seven attorneys from four firms.
Gibson Dunn Adds Tax Depth in Houston
Hillary Holmes, co-head of Gibson Dunn’s Houston office, said Greg Nelson’s “deep tax expertise, particularly in the energy industry, will be of immense value to our clients.” Nelson most recently led the Houston office of Paul Hastings, but worked with Holmes for nearly a decade at Baker Botts.
K&S Lands Houston Litigator from GT
Mary-Olga Lovett, a member of Greenberg Traurig’s global executive committee, has taken her decades of trial experience to King & Spalding.