For Texas lawyers, the question now carries immediate practical urgency. Clients are already using AI in the same way as the taqueria owner, and discovery requests are beginning to target those uses. Whether that protection will reach the individuals and small businesses most likely to use consumer AI before counsel is retained is the question this article addresses.
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Energy Transfer Nets $393M Final Judgment in Winter Storm Uri Gas Pricing Dispute
After a three-week bench trial in Bexar County, Judge Laura Salinas hit CPS Energy with a $393 million final judgment in favor of Energy Transfer against CPS Energy in a contract dispute stemming from gas rates during 2021 Winter Storm Uri.
Litigation Roundup: Cities Take Battle Over ‘Death Star’ Bill to SCOTX
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, an appellate panel in Dallas wipes out a $7.8 million final judgment against a Munsch Hardt client, and in a case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, a team of Baker Botts lawyers successfully defended its client’s $213 million trade secrets win.
Houston Corporate Partner Laterals to Womble Bond Dickinson
Katherine Smith, a corporate partner focused on executive compensation and corporate governance, has joined Womble Bond Dickinson’s Houston office as a partner in the firm’s Corporate and Securities Practice Group. She advises public companies, boards of directors and executive teams on executive compensation, securities disclosure and governance matters.
CDT Roundup: A Holiday Week of Heavy Lifting
Lawyers in the Lone Star State celebrated the holiday week by working on deals involving the heavy stuff: midstream assets, bitcoin mining, Gulf Coast ammonia plants, offshore helicopters, offshore platforms, West Texas power plants and a Fort Worth rail transloading company.
‘A Servant’s Heart’: NDTX Clerk Reflects on Quarter Century of Service
For a quarter of a century, Karen Mitchell has served as the Northern District of Texas clerk of court, making her the longest-serving clerk of court in the country. The last 25 years have been filled with life-changing events in history, but former judges who know her said one thing has remained constant: her positive attitude.
Judge O’Connor Hears Closing Arguments in $8.5M Treasure Hunter Fight
Treasure recovered off the coast of the Bahamas is being fought over in a legal tug-of-war, with the plaintiffs asking Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor to award $2.5 million in treasure it claims it is owed and punitive damages that would bring the total damages award to $8.5 million. The parties concluded the two-week-long bench trial Thursday afternoon, turning the case over to the court to decide.
Houston Appellate Court Paves Way for 4th Bellwether Trial Against 3M
In its request for a stay or a continuance, 3M argued nine weeks between trials wasn’t enough time to prepare, that its lead attorney had timely filed a vacation letter that, under local rules, should have protected her from the July 13 trial setting, and that it only learned the identities of 20 of the 30 plaintiffs in the case on March 27.
Lehotsky Cohn Opens Dallas Office
Andy Ryan and his team at Ryan Law Partners are joining the national litigation boutique and bolstering its trial group in Texas.
P.S. — Corporate Legal Chiefs Tell Congress Legal Aid Funding is a ‘Uniquely Important Priority’
General counsel and chief legal officers from 132 of America’s biggest companies — including AT&T, USAA and Oracle — are urging Congress to fully fund the Legal Services Corporation, arguing that civil legal aid strengthens economic stability for families, communities and businesses. The executives signed a May 29 letter to every member of Congress asking lawmakers to provide sufficient funding for fiscal year 2027 to LSC, the federal nonprofit that funds civil legal aid organizations nationwide. At least a dozen Texas-based legal leaders joined the effort.