As the city has grown rapidly, this thriving business hub has seen increased complexity in legal disputes tied to technology, construction, energy, healthcare, and employment matters, just to name a few. With this increase, the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services has also steadily risen. Fortunately, Austin has long enjoyed a sophisticated ADR marketplace, serving this expanding business community for approximately three decades.
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ConocoPhillips’ Scott Kelly: 2025 was ‘Most Challenging and Rewarding Year Ever’
Scott Kelly accomplished more in his first year at ConocoPhillips than many in-house counsel accomplish in decades of service. Kelly joined the ConocoPhillips legal department in December 2024 but has already won three major trials, defeating $250 million in claims against ConocoPhillips and recovering $12 million in damages. And he settled a fourth case that involved multiple fatalities.
Citing these huge courtroom victories, the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Houston Chapter and The Texas Lawbook are awarding the 2026 Houston Corporate Counsel Award for Senior Counsel of the Year Award for a Large Legal Department to Kelly.
Premium Subscriber Q&A: Scott Kelly
In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, Scott Kelly discusses the traits he seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with him and more.
KBR’s Kriste Sullivan Instrumental in ‘Mighty Big’ Win
When a federal jury in Houston hit KBR with a $71 million verdict in a trade secrets case involving processes used to manufacture polycarbonate, the engineering and construction firm’s senior counsel Kriste Sullivan didn’t flinch.
She knew the plaintiffs had taken a big gamble. And she knew she had an ace in the hole. But it wasn’t just the luck of the draw that resulted in KBR eventually completely pouring out Trinseo’s $360 million trade secrets case.
Citing that win, the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Houston Chapter and The Texas Lawbook have honored Sullivan, KBR and the lawyers at Susman Godfrey and Bracewell the 2026 Houston Corporate Counsel Award for Business Litigation of the Year.
Fertitta Buys Caesars for $17.6B
Houston-based Fertitta Entertainment added significantly to its gambling and hospitality holdings Thursday, cutting a long-rumored deal for Caesars Entertainment for $17.6 billion in cash and assumption of debt. Guided by general counsel Steven Scheinthal, Fertitta chose White & Case as outside counsel. Caesars tapped both Latham & Watkins and Skadden Arps. Coincidentally, Scheinthal (pictured) is being honored Thursday night by the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Houston Chapter and The Texas Lawbook with the 2026 Houston Corporate Counsel Award for General Counsel of the Year for a Midsized Legal Department. The Lawbook’s Jason Philyaw has more on the deal and the more than 70 lawyers involved.
Exxon Shareholders Approve Texas Reincorporation Plan
Exxon shareholders approved the move to Texas, first recommended in March, with more than 70 percent of shareholders voting in favor.
The move may prove more historical than controversial. While the company’s relocation received some opposition, the controversy was nothing compared to Exxon’s legal and historical past.
Winston & Strawn Adds Former Baker Botts Partner to Its IP Roster
Morgan Mayne is the newest addition to Winston & Strawn’s litigation and intellectual property practice. She makes the move to the other side of Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas from Baker Botts, where she spent the first 12 years of her career.
Phillips 66’s Vanessa Sutherland & Michael Voutsinas — The New World of Legal Operations
Energy company legal departments have a lot on their agendas in 2026, including ever-changing tariffs, turmoil in the Middle East, constant reversals in federal regulatory schemes, threats of cybersecurity and intellectual property theft and constantly rising hourly rates from outside counsel. As companies struggle to manage or keep up, Phillips 66 GC Vanessa Sutherland and Legal Ops Director Michael Voutsinas have taken a different approach: It has dramatically upgraded its entire legal operations team that deals with effective financial management of legal work, employee performance management, technology adoption and usage, outside vendor management, information governance, e-discovery and data analytics to optimize legal services delivery. The reforms have resulted in several internal and external successes.
“It has become more critical for staff functions to be both a good corporate steward of capital and a partner that generates value,” Sutherland said. ACC Houston and The Texas Lawbook have named Phillips 66 as the recipients of the 2026 Houston Corporate Counsel Award for Legal Innovation.
Premium Subscriber Q&A: Vanessa Sutherland
In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, Vanessa Sutherland discusses the traits she seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with her and more.
Bench Trial Commences Between the Trustee of a Senior Living Community and Its Landlord
The bench trial between the trustee of a Dallas luxury senior living community and its landlord began Tuesday afternoon in U.S. District Court Judge Ada Brown’s courtroom. The Edgemere went into bankruptcy in 2022 and was bought at auction in 2023. The company claims its landlord attempted to take control of the business.