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AZA, Vartabedian Join National Law Firms in Raising Associate Pay

Two Texas law firms this week have joined a half-dozen national law firms in announcing associate compensation increases of $10,000 for new and more junior lawyers and $20,000 salary jumps for more senior associates.

The pay hikes will raise compensation for first-year associates to $235,000, fourth-year lawyers to $320,000, and the base salary for eighth-year associates — the year before being up for partnership — to $445,000. With annual bonuses, many corporate law firms will pay their most senior and successful associates nearly $600,000 annually.

June 9, 2026 Mark Curriden

What the Feds Took, Texas May Protect

Earlier this year, a financial executive opened an AI chatbot to think through his legal exposure before calling his lawyers, then watched a federal judge hand all 31 of those documents to prosecutors.

The lesson looked clear. A Texas court has now complicated that lesson. Same conduct, two courts, opposite results. For Texas litigators, the gap between the two is worth understanding.

June 9, 2026 Chris Schwegmann & Ben A. Barnes

Litigation Roundup: SCOTUS Reverses Fifth Circuit in AT&T Case

In this edition of Litigation Roundup, a Houston appellate court parses who owes a duty of care in a wrongful death lawsuit involving a crash allegedly caused by a driver who was engaging in phone sex, and investigators with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Fort Worth regional office reach a deal to end claims a Dallas-based real estate investment company president was lying to investors.

June 8, 2026 Michelle Casady

AI as a Force Multiplier for Appellate Practice: A Step-by-Step Guide

Careful AI use enhances both written and oral advocacy while creating opportunities for meaningful, impressive efficiency gains. The technology was breathtaking when I ran my first AI query and has rapidly improved since. Here are some practical lessons I have learned that are aimed at appellate practitioners but applicable to any litigation practice.

June 8, 2026 Mark Trachtenberg

CDT Roundup: Late Arrivals Steal the Show

For the week ended June 6, there were 14 deals reported to CDT Roundup with a combined disclosed value of about $9.5 billion.

That said, you might take note of the overabundance of material covered in our Late Arrivals and Other Matters section, as well as other deals in this week’s edition.

June 7, 2026 Jason Philyaw

P.S. — Former Reed Smith Counsel Efrain Vera Named Director of Brewer Storefront

In this edition of P.S., Kirkland & Ellis partner Michael Considine is calling on the legal community to give blood at the second annual Knock Out the Need Blood Drive taking place June 15-16. We also feature Efrain Vera, who recently jumped from Reed Smith to become the director of the pro bono affiliate of Brewer Attorneys & Counselors.

June 5, 2026 Krista Torralva

Business Court Passes on Challenge to Its Own Constitutionality

After a highly successful, productive and largely uncontroversial first 18 months, the burgeoning Texas Business Court recently faced its first constitutional challenge. This article analyzes the plaintiff’s arguments and considers what will happen if the question ever reaches the Texas Supreme Court.

June 4, 2026 Brad G. Hubbard & Ben A. Barnes

Asked & Answered with Justice Rosa Lopez Theofanis: From Pet Peeves to Surprises on the Bench

In this edition of Asked & Answered, Third Court of Appeals Justice Rosa Lopez Theofanis shares how she sees AI impacting the appellate process and dishes on what lawyers practicing before her shouldn’t do. Justice Theofanis, who is the first sitting judge to participate in Asked & Answered, joined the all-female panel in January 2023.

June 3, 2026 Alexa Shrake

Jury Trial Begins in Dispute Over Property Next to Mavericks New Home

A jury trial began in Dallas County Judge Maria Aceves’ courtroom Wednesday in a breach of contract and fiduciary duty case over two men whose business partnership soured. The property at the center of the suit was once an LA Fitness next to the old Valley View mall, which the Dallas Mavericks have announced will be their new arena and an entertainment district.

June 3, 2026 Alexa Shrake

Indiana Pharma Research Company Files Chapter 11 in Houston

The analytical drug discovery and development services and research company Inotiv and 18 of its affiliated entities filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday in the Southern District of Texas.

Inotiv, which cites $500 million to $1 billion in both liabilities and assets, hired Ropes & Gray and Hunton Andrews Kurth as its lead legal advisors.

June 3, 2026 Mark Curriden