Randy Sorrels, past president of the State Bar of Texas and co-founder of Sorrels Law, has been unanimously selected to chair the South Texas College of Law Houston board of directors.
Sorrels has served on the board since 2013 and will serve a four-year term. Sorrels served as chair-elect of the board for the past year, working closely with the then board chair and long-time board member Genora Boykins.
“I am proud to give back to a law school that gave me so much — a world-class education, a lifelong respect for passionate advocacy and the skill set to practice law at the highest level,” Sorrels said in a news release. “South Texas opened every door in my career and being named chair of the board is both humbling and deeply meaningful.”
Sorrels and his wife, Alex Farias-Sorrels, founded Sorrels Law in Houston in 2021 and rapidly expanded from two lawyers to 32 lawyers with offices in Houston, Dallas, Austin and Beaumont.
He began his litigation career as an associate at what is now Norton Rose Fulbright and then spent three decades at Abraham Watkins before launching the new firm.
While Sorrels moved around during his early years because his dad was in the military, he would settle in Houston, earning his bachelor’s degree from Houston Christian University in 1984. Sorrels graduated from South Texas Law in 1987.
He is the namesake of The Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics — basically a pro bono law firm that lives within the law school and serves the community with free legal services while giving students real-world experience working with clients.
“What makes South Texas exceptional isn’t just the quality of its education — it’s the people. It is the faculty, the administration, the staff and the alumni community. Chair Genora Boykins is a perfect example. The first female and the first black chair of the board, Genora’s tenure as chair was marked by exceptional commitment, strategic thinking and an unwavering focus on excellence,” Sorrels said in a news release. “She has set a standard of leadership that will continue to inspire us all.”
Sorrels said his wife and law partner is “one of the smartest lawyers I know.” He is the father of six children and two grandchildren.
“Building on over a century of excellence, South Texas continues to play a critical role in shaping practice-ready attorneys who are fierce advocates, corporate and community leaders and dedicated public servants. Our mission remains clear: to empower our students to lead with integrity, ensuring they stand as a bulwark against the injustice and a driving force for the rule of law in our society.”
The Litigation Roundup is a weekly feature highlighting the work Texas lawyers are doing inside and outside the state. Have a development we should include next week? Please let us know at tlblitigation@texaslawbook.net.
Northern District Court of Texas, Lubbock Division
First Amendment Case Settled Between Texas Tech Prof and Ex-Dean
The long-standing First Amendment case involving James Wetherbe and Texas Tech University has been settled, ending a nearly 11-year legal battle.
The case, which began in 2015, centered on issues related to academic freedom and the First Amendment rights of Wetherbe to speak out against tenure in higher education. Wetherbe claimed he faced retaliation from Lance Nail, the former dean of the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University, for his anti-tenure views.
Wetherbe alleged that Nail’s actions included removing him from teaching assignments, falsely accusing him of misconduct and revoking his emeritus status.
“I am pleased that we settled the case on terms that were satisfactory to both sides. I am excited to continue my teaching and scholarship at Texas Tech’s Rawls College of Business and my advocacy for tenure reform and First Amendment freedom in academia,” Wetherbe said in a news release.
The confidential settlement was reached on Jan. 8, 2026, while on appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“This settlement marks a significant milestone for academic freedom and faculty members’ First Amendment rights within higher educational institutions,” Wetherbe’s attorney, Fernando Bustos of the Bustos Law Firm, said in a news release.
Todd Dickerson and Enrique Manuel Varela of the Office of the Attorney General, Natalie Thompson of Alliance Defending Freedom and Eric Vinson of Littler Mendelson represented Lance Nail. They did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Matthew Zimmerman of Bustos Law Firm also represented Wetherbe.
The case number is 5:15-CV-00119.
Southern District Court of Texas, Houston Division
DOJ Opposes Fee Settlements in Bankruptcy Romance Lawsuits
The Department of Justice has opposed Jackson Walker’s fee settlements related to the romance scandal between former U.S. Bankruptcy Chief Judge David Jones and former Jackson Walker partner Elizabeth Freeman.
In recent filings by the U.S. Trustee Laura Steele, the proposed settlements are an attempt to resolve issues privately rather than allowing the court to fully examine the matters.
The challenge stems from the romantic relationship between Jones and Freeman becoming public. While Jones presided over many bankruptcies involving the firm, he awarded millions in attorney fees to Jackson Walker.
Steele stated in her objections that the settlements should be rejected.
“The Settlement Motion should not be approved because JW seeks to elevate a private agreement over the inherent public interest in order to curtail the relief sought by the U.S. Trustee, as well as this Court’s power to impose such relief for the benefit of all stakeholders,” the objection reads.
A three-day hearing on the settlements is scheduled to start March 17.
Jason Boland, William Greendyke, Julie Goodrich Harrison, Maria Mokrzycka, and Paul Trahan of Norton Rose Fulbright, Rusty Hardin, Emily Smith, Leah Graham of Rusty Hardin and Associates and Jennifer Brevorka of Hodgson Russ are representing Jackson Walker.
Philip Eisenberg and Simon Mayer of Troutman Pepper Locke are representing Seadrill Partners.
The case number is 4:23-cv-04787.
Houston-area Man Pleads Guilty to Stock Investment Ponzi Scheme
A Mont Belvieu man pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a Ponzi-style investment scheme the U.S. attorney’s office in the Southern District of Texas announced Friday.
From January 2022 to August 2023, Carl Channing Spence, 40, operated “AEI Financial” from his residence. He solicited friends, acquaintances and colleagues by promising high returns through stock trading specializing in “meme stocks.”
Spence promised victims 10 to 12 percent returns by investing in popular stocks during a period of rapid stock market gains. Instead, he diverted funds for personal use and to make purported returns to earlier investors.
Once victims provided funds, Spence created fraudulent account statements that falsely showed investment growth and returns which he used to persuade victims to reinvest. In reality, he commingled investor funds into a single account and lost much of the money through unsuccessful trades.
The scheme resulted in numerous victims who received fraudulent account statements but never recovered their original investments or promised returns. Spence took in approximately $2.1 million from the known victims.
His sentencing is scheduled for April 14 before U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal. He faces up to 20 years in prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Carter and Brad Gray are prosecuting the case.
Joseph Vinas of Vinas & Graham is representing Spence.
The case number is 4:23-cr-00450.
Fourteenth Court of Appeals, Houston
Panel Wipes out $7.5M of $12M Damages Award, Orders New Trial in Exxon Injury Case
The Fourteenth Court of Appeals reversed some damages awarded to workers who were present at an explosion at an Exxon plant in Houston and remanded the case for a new trial on negligence claims.
The personal injury case comes from a series of explosions at Exxon Mobil’s Baytown Olefins Plant. The resulting fire reached higher than seven hundred feet and burned for 12 hours.
No one died or was burned from the incident, but many sued Exxon with claims of injuries.
A jury trial was held for six individuals. Mario Rojas didn’t recover anything from the jury. Two other plaintiffs were awarded some damages, but they were severed out because of workers’ compensation benefits.
The three remaining plaintiffs — Brayan Roque, DeMarcus Friels and Tamara Brown — were not covered by workers’ compensation insurance and received sizable awards, which Exxon has appealed.
The three-justice panel consisted of Chief Justice Tracy Christopher and Justices Ken Wise and Kevin Jewell.
While the appellate court did find there to be sufficient evidence to support many of the claims, others were found to be insufficient.
Roque worked for a subcontractor as a pipe welder. At trial he testified that when he saw the fireball, he took off running in the opposite direction. He jumped over obstacles and ducked under structures. In the course of his escape, he claimed that he bumped his shoulder into something hard.
The court noted in its 50-page opinion that there were conflicts in the evidence on his exact position at the time of the explosions and his later statements that he didn’t need medical attention.
An MRI showed he had two herniated discs in his lower back. Over the course of the next three years, Roque received a series of treatments, including physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, nerve ablations and a discectomy. The jury awarded him more than $12 million in damages.
Roque’s $2 million for past physical impairment and $1 million for future physical impairment was reversed.
Brown worked as a nondestructive testing technician. On the day of the incident, she was with a coworker on a platform 50 feet in the air collecting ultrasonic thickness readings of a valve. When she heard the explosion, her coworker urged her to hurry down the platform. She complied, but while she was still inside the ladder cage, Brown heard another explosion and fell on top of the coworker.
An MRI showed she had a herniated disc in her neck. Her treatment consisted of physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, nerve ablations and a cervical discectomy.
Brown was awarded more than $13 million. Brown’s award of $1.5 million in past physical impairment and $2 million in future physical impairment was reversed.
Friels was operating an excavator about 300 feet away from the depropanizer tower at the time of the explosions. He felt the ground shake beneath him. When he turned and saw the ball of fire, he jumped from the excavator and ran for his life. The jump was from about five feet high.
He signed a written statement on the day of the explosions that he was not injured and that “no treatment was needed.” And the following day he signed another statement reporting “no changes.”
MRIs taken later showed he had herniated discs in both his cervical and lumbar spine. His treatment included physical therapy, more than 30 visits to a chiropractor and epidural steroid injections. The jury awarded Friels a total of $2 million.
The judgment awarding Friels $1.5 million for future mental anguish was reversed.
The case has been remanded to the 295th District Court for a new trial on Roque and Brown’s negligence claim.
Misty A. Hataway-Coné of Coné represented the appellees.
Joshua Smith, Russell Post, and Erin Huberof Beck Redden,Murray Fogler of Folger Brar O’Neil Gray, and Lynne Liberato and Mark Trachtenberg of Haynes Boone are representing Exxon Mobil.
The case number is 14-24-00104-CV.
Texas Business Court, Fourth Division
Minority Owner Took Funds from Firm for His Own, Suit Alleges
Real estate investment firm claims breach of fiduciary duty among others against minority owner in Texas Business Court for allegedly using the firm’s funds for his own investment firm.
Daniel Bassichis and San Antonio Spurs legend David Robinson founded ACG, a real estate investment and private equity firm, in 2008. Robinson was the majority owner.
In 2021, Bassichis began to launch his own real estate investment firm, Vero.
Admiral Capital Group claims while Bassichis was managing member of ACG and controlling the actions of subsidiaries, he concealed and executed and undisclosed refinancing at Admiral Columbus, diverted $18 million in Admiral Columbus proceeds to Vero and USL Structured Fund, fabricated and backdated purported promissory notes after the fact, misappropriated ACRE funds to finance expenses and investments of Vero and other entities, and improperly used ACRE as a funding source by causing ACRE to pay salaries and operating costs while personnel predominantly supported Vero activities.
ACG claims the amounts presently known to be due include at least $9,208,906.47 to ACG under the Admiral Columbus waterfall distribution provisions, $15,431,351.80 to ACRE for misappropriations and $9,402,151.20 to ACRE for subsidized operations and payroll, together with all traceable profits, earnings, appreciation and consequential losses.
Admiral Capital Group alleges all defendants committed civil conspiracy and accounting. It further alleges Bassichis committed breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, conversion, breach of the implied covenant of good faith dealing. Vero and USL Structured Fund allegedly committed tortious interference.
Counsel for the defendants have not filed appearances at this time.
West Bakke, Stephen Calhoun and Julia W. Mann of Jackson Walker are representing the plaintiffs.
The case number is 25-BC04A-0019.
392nd District Court, Henderson County
Judge in Chicken Growers Injunction Case Tells Parties the Court Will Not ‘Entertain General Status Updates in Lieu of Meaningful Progress’
In a letter, a district court judge informed the Texas Supreme Court that defendants proposals ignored specific guidance from the high court.
“The court will not entertain further general status updates in lieu of meaningful progress, nor will it ignore the Supreme Court’s guidance as to how to go about tailoring an amended injunction,” Judge R. Scott McKee wrote.
The parties had a status hearing today.
Residents who live near Sanderson Farms claimed the chicken barns smelled bad and were overcrowded.
Rather than enjoining the farming operations entirely, in June 2024 the Texas Supreme Court instructed the Henderson County trial judge to consider other means of injunctive relief for the neighbors, including a reduction in flock size and more frequent barn cleanings. The court ruled the trial judge went too far in granting the request from neighbors to permanently close the farm.
In October 2019, a jury found the operation was a temporary nuisance and gave neighbors nearly $6 million for the lost market value of their properties. The parties later agreed to a take-nothing judgment regarding the monetary damages. The Twelfth Court of Appeals affirmed the injunction.
Andrew Ryan of Ryan Law Partners is representing the growers.
Ross Forbes of Jackson Walker is representing Sanderson Farms.
Brian Lauten is representing Frank Blanchard.
Allen Gardner is representing Snow.
The case number is CV17-0247-392.
Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division
A&O Shearman Secures an Early Victory for PURIS, Case Heads for Mediation
Texas-based company PURIS is headed for mediation in breach of contract case in which it alleges a former executive was in a secret partnership with competitor.
PURIS provides end-to-end potable water and wastewater infrastructure renewal solutions through subsidiary entities.
PURIS initially filed the suit in July 2025 to redress the alleged breach of a noncompete agreement by Andrew Mayer, who served as president of PURIS subsidiary Murphy Pipeline Contractors before joining Crown Electrokinetics Corp.
“Since then, PURIS has learned that Mayer’s conduct was exponentially graver and further reaching. No mere contractual breach, Mayer’s alliance with Crown was the culmination of a sprawling, years-long conspiracy by Defendants to harm PURIS and MPC from within. The ultimate purpose of the conspiracy was to steal from Plaintiffs, divert corporate opportunities, and sabotage Plaintiffs’ market position, with the ultimate goal of destroying Plaintiffs’ business or acquiring it at a discount,” the suit read.
PURIS claimed all defendants violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, fraud, in addition to civil conspiracy and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duties. It further claimed that Mayer and Todd Grafenauer committed breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duties. Doug Croxall, Crown, PE Pipelines, Element 82, David Kinsella, CMG, Carmelo Gutierrez, Michael Pisch and Lauren Romero allegedly committed tortious interference with contract. Mayer CMG, Gutierrez, Ernest Brown and Croxall allegedly committed tortious interference with prospective business relationships. Yellow Iro, PE Pipelines, Element 82, L&O, CMG and MHE Consulting were accused of unjust enrichment.
U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan granted the preliminary injunction, which enforces PURIS’s noncompete with its former executive and also shuts down alleged unlawful competition by a third-party business with whom the executive was secretly in partnership.
Since the court granted the preliminary injunction in October, the crown defendants have filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
Reports were due Friday for explanation on the request for two mediators. According to a joint submission, the plaintiffs requested U.S. Judge Roy Dalton, while the defendants have requested private mediator Buddy Schulz and scheduled a mediation date with him for March 31.
The parties have agreed to withdraw the request for two mediators, but the plaintiffs maintain a federal judge would be ideal and suggested U.S. Judge Patricia Barksdale as another option. They did state they are “amenable” to Schulz being appointed as mediator for all purposes.
Richard Behrens, Carter Gantt, Danielle Corbrodt, Jacob Fields of A&O Shearman, and Justin Delise, Rebecca Maturo, William Hill, Lauren Purdy of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart are representing PURIS.
Aliette Rodz, Christopher Maloney, Giancarlo Cueto, Tarmo Joeveer and John Whelan of Shutts & Bowen, and Jeffrey York of Burr & Forman are representing Mayer.
Brittany Pagnotta, James Janowitz, Joshua Zuckerberg, William Charron, and Ross Bagley of Pryor Cashman, and Noah Rust of Shutts & Bowen are representing Croxall.
Scott Yount and Christopher Hall of Garrison Yount Forte & Mulcahy, and Paul Politz and Samantha Griffin of Tayor, Wellons, Politz, & Duhe are representing Gutierrez.
Joshua Roberts, Michael Decembrino and Wesley Martinez of Holland & Knight are representing Kinsella.
David Burns of Ferrelle Burns is representing Pisch.
Michael Lockamy and John Woodlee of Bedell, Dittmar, DeVault, Pillans & Coxe are representing Lauren and Odra Romero.
Wiley Gillam, Patrick Joyce and Pierce Giboney of Milam Howard Nicandri & Gillam, and Caren Marlowe, Darius Walker of Ogletree Deakins are representing Grafenauer.
Robert George, John Carlisle and Ryan Mittauer of Liles Firm represented Brown.
The case number is 3:25-cv-157.
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