During the past 37 years, Mike Wortley crafted billion-dollar deals involving radio stations and dress pants, semi-conductors and oil companies. He was the lead lawyer in more than 120 major mergers, acquisitions and IPOs that had a combined value of more than $250 billion.
“Simply put, Mike Wortley is a legend,” said Rick Lacher of investment bank Houlihan Lokey.
Last week, Wortley retired and became the chief legal officer at Reata Pharmaceuticals.
What Baseball Can Do for Lawyers
Former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh admits that, when his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the New York Yankees in the 1960 World Series, it changed his life for the better. Bill Mazeroski’s dramatic walk-of home run to end Game Seven allowed Dick to begin moving back into the stream of life and out of the grief that arose when his wife died suddenly and infant son suffered a brain injury in a car wreck earlier that year.
Baseball also has the capacity to generate solid friendships among those with a like-minded passion for the game, like mine with Dick Thornburgh.
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.
Texas Regulatory Expert Joins V&E
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.
Texas Regulatory Expert Joins V&E
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.
Exclusive: Tyler Federal Judge Davis to Join Fish & Richardson
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.
Exclusive: Tyler Federal Judge Davis to Join Fish & Richardson
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.
Former DOJ and SEC Lawyer Joins Haynes and Boone
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.
GC Janet Dhillon Leaves JC Penney
JC Penney announced that its deputy general counsel, Janet Link, has been named the interim GC until a replacement is named.
SMU Dedman Recognizes Distinguished Alumni at Annual Awards Dinner
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.