The number of companies that filed for bankruptcy in Texas declined dramatically during the first six months of 2012, but legal experts say that is not necessarily good news for businesses in the state. In fact, many legal experts say that Texas Bankruptcy Courts could see a wave of new businesses filing for Chapter 11 protection if the economy gets better. If the economy worsens, the state would likely see an increase in Chapter 7 liquidations.
More Stories
This chart represents an up-to-date breakdown of investigations, complaints and settlements of SEC cases against Texas-based companies in 2012.
Return to the article: Michael King: SEC Lawyer “Calling the Shots” in Wal-Mart and Chesapeake Investigations Source:www.sec.gov © 2012 The Texas Lawbook. Content of The Texas Lawbook is controlled and protected
Michael King: SEC Lawyer “Calling the Shots” in Wal-Mart and Chesapeake Investigations
Very few corporate executives or general counsels have ever heard of Michael King. That is about to change. King is the SEC’s lead lawyer in two of the biggest corporate financial investigations the federal government is conducting: Wal-Mart and Chesapeake Energy. The two cases are likely to thrust King into the global spotlight, as fines could easily reach hundreds of millions of dollars. The investigations also could provide public redemption for the SEC’s much maligned Fort Worth Regional Office. “The pressure on Michael and the Fort Worth office right now is enormous,” says Kit Addleman, a partner at Haynes and Boone.
Fortune 500 Companies See an Increase in Lawyers-turned-CEOs
SMU Dedman Law School leads national list with three CEOs at the helm of Fortune top 50 companies.
Fifth Circuit’s Top Five Business Litigation Cases for the First Half of 2012
The five important business cases from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the first half of 2012 show a pragmatic, step-by-step approach to business cases. The Court tested whether an arbitration clause comported with basic principles of contract law, parsed each line of a pleading to test its sufficiency, enforced each element of the basic test for personal jurisdiction, and methodically applied Daubert to complex expert testimony. The five cases illustrate the work of a court that takes seriously the “blocking and tackling” basics of commercial disputes.
Texas is Climbing the Nanotech Charts
Texas has the potential to emerge as a leading epicenter for the U.S., and perhaps the world, especially in the areas of energy, specialty chemicals and medicine. The state’s leadership position is further strengthened with last week’s announcement of Dallas as a new satellite office for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Dallas Snags U.S. Patent Satellite Office
A Thompson & Knight secretary, the Facebook “like” button and hard work by Dallas IP lawyers leads to USPTO decision.
Legal Experts: Cyber Security Growing Issue for Lawyers
Hackers and data breaches expose lawyers to loss of clients’ trust and potential litigation.
Texas Court Sets Early Hurdle for Age Discrimination Claims
Fired public employees who are replaced by older workers must present additional evidence for case to continue, says Texas Supremes in 6-3 ruling.
Healthcare Lawyers: Supreme Court Decision “Anti-Climactic” and Business As Usual
Ruling leaves Texas scrambling to implement law and employers debating whether to continue providing coverage for their worker.