Remembering Fort Worth Federal Judge John McBryde

Senior U.S. District Judge John McBryde of Fort Worth was old school and hardcore, viewed as the epitome of a federal judge and always regarded as the lord of his courtroom. Criminal defense lawyers compared him to the hanging judges of the Wild West because of the lengthy prison sentences. But other lawyers and judges say he was a fierce protector of the rule of law and the right to trial by jury. Judge McBryde, appointed to the federal bench in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, died Sunday. He was 91.

December 27, 2022 Mark Curriden

Winstead Elects Jeff Matthews as Next Leader

Shareholders at the corporate law firm Winstead have elected the chair of its business and transactions practice, Jeff Matthews, as the firm’s next chairman and CEO. A 2003 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law and the son of a former Exxon general counsel, Matthews replaces David Dawson, who has led Winstead since 2014. In an interview with The Texas Lawbook, Matthews discusses the Texas firm's position in the legal market, how 2022 has gone so far and whether there is any interest in a future merger. 

December 6, 2022 Mark Curriden

This Associate Logged 100 Hours of Pro Bono in the Last Year. Here’s How He Did It

As the year comes to an end, some may be reflecting on their legal practice and looking for ways to squeeze more pro bono into their life. The Texas Lawbook spoke with Stinson associate and pro bono pro Grant DuBois, who manages a pro bono misdemeanor criminal docket in his spare time and provides tips for weaving more pro bono work into the daily grind.

“Attorneys have been viewed by the general public as an undesirable group since the beginning of our profession,” DuBois says. “Many refer to us as ‘money-sucking vampires’ motivated not by client service, but by greed. One of the ways we can start to change this generalized perception is to provide pro bono services as often as we can.”

December 6, 2022 Natalie Posgate

SEC’s David Peavler Joining Jones Day

David Peavler is following in the steps of his two predecessors who were regional directors of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Fort Worth office. Peavler, in an exclusive interview with The Texas Lawbook, said he will join the Dallas office of the global law firm Jones Day as a partner leading the firm’s Texas securities litigation and SEC enforcement practice. Peavler, who announced Thursday that he was resigning as the regional director of the SEC, is a huge catch for Jones Day because of his deep experience in the area of financial accounting and because he has prior experience as a corporate general counsel – the very people who hire Jones Day for legal advice.

December 5, 2022 Mark Curriden

P.S. — A Couple Awards, A Memorial Fund, ‘It’s Fun to Stay at the YMCA’

In this week's P.S. column, the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas hosts its annual Stories from the HeART fundraiser and honors a group of Texas lawyers for their contributions, a memorial fund set up in the memory of the late Dallas lawyer, Clarence Brown, seeks to raise more funds to benefit students of color at the Lamplighter School, and two nonprofits announce leadership efforts by lawyers. 

December 2, 2022 Natalie Posgate

Jonny Havens: An Entrepreneurial Lawyer, Iraq War Veteran & Pro Bono Advocate

Service has always been a part of Jonny Havens' life, whether it was serving two deployments in Iraq or helping veterans adjust to civilian life. The Houston-based personal injury lawyer, who just launched a new law firm, spoke with Natalie Posgate about his service as a Ranger qualified infantry officer, why he became a lawyer and why he continues to serve veterans through nonprofits and pro bono work.

November 11, 2022 Natalie Posgate

Eversheds Sutherland Energy M&A Attorneys Headed to Holland & Knight

Three Houston attorneys who advised on a $1.8 billion forestry ESG deal last week are on the move to Holland & Knight.

November 9, 2022 Claire Poole

Gibson Dunn, Winston & Strawn Add Houston Deal Lawyers

Gibson Dunn gained a former Blackstone lawyer and Winston & Strawn picked up a former energy executive.

November 7, 2022 Brooks Igo

McDermott Continues Growing Texas IP Practice

David Tobin, who is made a partner with the move, is the 13th lawyer to leave Baker Botts for McDermott Will & Emery this year.

November 4, 2022 Brooks Igo

P.S. — An Anti-Bullying Grant, Awards Season Frenzy, A Thank-you Note

In this week’s P.S. column, we highlight a slew of attorneys and law firms awarded for their pro bono efforts, some recent nonprofit board appointments, an upcoming CLE featuring pro bono veterans in the industry (with ethics credit), and a significant grant awarded to a San Antonio-based project that supports children and their families impacted by bullying.

November 4, 2022 Natalie Posgate

Dallas Minority Bar Orgs Launch New Job Board

Finding diverse job candidates in Dallas just got easier for firms. Six minority bar organizations have launched the Dallas Legal Equity and Diversity job board, a diversity and inclusion-focused job site. Natalie Posgate reports on how it came together and how employers and diverse attorney candidates can begin connecting on the platform.

November 1, 2022 Natalie Posgate

V&E Taps Bracewell, Simpson Thacher to Bolster L&E and Executive Compensation Practices

V&E is adding Rebecca Baker, who is a past chair of Bracewell's labor and employment practice, and two New York executive compensation partners from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

November 1, 2022 Brooks Igo