Others are beginning to notice what The Texas Lawbook has been following for some time: that despite the carping of state lawmakers and fossil fuel grumps, renewables are being woven into the fabric of Texas energy — both in its dealmaking and its grid. The analysts at Preqin are the latest to say so out loud. This week’s CDT Roundup has their observations along with the usual roster of last week’s deals.
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Houston Jury Finds HCA Healthcare Owes Doctors $25.6M
The group of doctors, Fondren Orthopedic, and HCA, a Nashville for-profit operator of healthcare facilities across the country, were in a limited partnership that owns and operates Texas Orthopedic Hospital. Fondren filed suit in October 2021, accusing HCA of violating a noncompete agreement by allowing 10 competing hospitals in the Houston area to offer similar services.
Susman Scores $65.7M Patent Infringement Verdict
A federal jury in Waco listened to four days of testimony and oral arguments last week before finding that New Jersey-based Paltalk Holdings’ patents regarding audio server technology are valid and that Cisco Systems infringed on those patents with its Webex conferencing service. The jury awarded Paltalk $65.7 million in damages. In a press release, Paltalk said it plans to seek legal fees.
Governor Appoints David Gunn to First COA
The governor on Tuesday appointed David Gunn, 63, of Beck Redden to serve as the newest justice on the First Court of Appeals in Houston. He is filling the seat vacated by April Farris, who was appointed to the Fifteenth Court of Appeals by Gov. Greg Abbott in June. Justice Gunn’s term will expire in December 2026.
Winstead Opens Nashville Office
The Dallas-based firm is building on its real estate group focus with the new five-lawyer office, which is its third outside of Texas. Winstead Chairman and CEO Jeff Matthews said it is “just the beginning of our strategic growth in Nashville.”
Hicks Thomas Adds 14 Trial Lawyers from Hunton AK
As business law firms battle for talent with trial and courtroom experience at a time when the litigation practice is booming in Texas, Hicks Thomas made a move this weekend that instantly placed the Houston-based firm among the larger litigation boutiques in the state.
Calling it “a match made in heaven,” John Thomas told The Texas Lawbook that 14 lawyers — nine partners and five associates — from Hunton Andrews Kurth joined Hicks Thomas on Monday. This boosts the firm’s lawyer headcount 50 percent — from 28 to 42 — and means Hicks Thomas will add an additional office space at TC Energy Center in downtown Houston.
P.S. — Looking Forward, Stepping Back and Acting Now
This week’s rendition of P.S. highlights the long overdue recognition of a former Texas chief justice and an educational program that helps children with superpowers. In addition, as law firms struggle to attract and retain talented and diverse young lawyers, The Texas Lawbook is asking law firms and legal organizations to provide information regarding grants and scholarships being offered to low-income and disadvantaged students who are interested in becoming lawyers.
Lawyers, Guns and Money: An occasional series on movies, TV and other stories about lawyers and the law — And Justice for All (1979, Dir. Norman Jewison)
The overstuffed but strangely compelling 1979 legal drama starring Al Pacino begins with the voice of a child reading the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s a sardonic start to a barbed, furious, free-swinging indictment of a legal system that, the movie suggests, has gone off the rails. Up is down, black is white, left is right.
A lone Baltimore defense attorney, Pacino’s Arthur Kirkland, is among the only people upset by what he sees. And make no mistake, he’s plenty upset.
Winston & Strawn Adds Healthcare Partner in Houston
Winston & Strawn has hired Banee Pachuca as a partner in the Houston office, the firm announced, as a part of its transactions department. Her focus will be healthcare.
SCOTX Transfers First Batch of Cases to New Fifteenth COA
In an administrative order issued Aug. 26, the Texas Supreme Court transferred to the newly-created Fifteenth Court of Appeals 88 cases that had been pending with various intermediate appellate courts. It’s no surprise to observers that the bulk of the cases, 49, were transferred from the Third Court of Appeals in Austin, which formerly decided most cases involving state agencies that are headquartered in the capital.