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Texas Federal Courts are Largely Rejecting Administration’s New Interpretation of Immigration Detention Law

Federal district court judges in Texas — from across the political spectrum — are rejecting the Trump administration’s reinterpretation of immigration law in order to detain immigrants without the opportunity to seek bond while they contest the government’s attempts to deport them, even if they’ve lived in the U.S. for decades and have no criminal record.

One case is headed for review before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Tuesday morning.

At least one U.S. district judge in El Paso is urging lawyers in related habeas corpus cases to be prepared for dispositive hearings following the Fifth Circuit panel’s decision, saying his court has been receiving up to 25 such cases each week.

February 3, 2026 Krista Torralva

‘To the Gates of Hell’ One Dallas Lawyer Was Willing to Go in Federal Habeas Fight Over ICE Detention

Charles Gearing felt an itch last summer to get more involved in pro bono work. The healthcare litigation lawyer at Weaver Johnston Nelson in Dallas found a project that advertised a limited scope — helping detained noncitizens apply for bond — that seemed like work that required less lawyering than sleuthing and logistical hustle, or so Gearing thought. He took on the case of Pedro Romo Navarro, a Mexican citizen living in Dallas for the past three decades who was facing deportation after being stopped by police for riding a bicycle without a front light.

What began as a seemingly simple bond request plunged Gearing into a nationwide legal and political controversy over the detention of longtime U.S. residents with no criminal records, often for months at a time in unsanitary facilities and without the opportunity for a bond hearing. Lawyers argue that these detentions violate the Immigration and Nationality Act and constitutional due process rights.

February 3, 2026 Krista Torralva

Melsheimer, Stodghill Lead Nine-Partner Litigation Team to King & Spalding

Prominent Dallas trial lawyer Tom Melsheimer, long-time law partner Steven Stodghill and seven other litigation partners from Winston & Strawn started their new positions as partners at King & Spalding in Dallas today. “I was on top of the mountain with Winston,” Melsheimer told The Texas Lawbook. “But then I saw another mountain. King & Spalding made an offer that I could not say no to, so I didn’t. King & Spalding understands that this is a war for the best talent because the best talent attracts the best clients. King & Spalding is in it to win this war.”

February 3, 2026 Mark Curriden

Groundhog Day: More Competition for Texas Talent

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and the first week of February has seen at least 20 business lawyers in Texas on the move, including a new Oil & Gas co-chair at Baker Botts.

February 3, 2026 Brooks Igo

Litigation Roundup: DOJ Claims Jackson Walker Fee Deals Put Private Interest Over Public Trust

In this edition of Litigation Roundup, a veteran trial lawyer has been chosen to lead the South Texas College of Law Houston board and a First Amendment case is settled between a Texas Tech professor and an ex-dean. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice opposes Jackson Walker’s fee settlements related to the romance scandal between former U.S. Bankruptcy Chief Judge David Jones and a former Jackson Walker partner, while a Houston-area man pleads guilty in a Ponzi scheme.

February 2, 2026 Alexa Shrake

Susman, Litigation Funder Sued by Former Client for Loss

Dublin-based Arigna Technology filed a lawsuit against Susman Godfrey and Longford Capital in Harris County over a $37 million award. The case in which the patent monetization firm hired Susman went to arbitration, and Longford was awarded over $37 million.

February 2, 2026 Alexa Shrake

How Businesses Can Protect Insurance Claims After Winter Storm Fern

Winter Storm Fern left a historic trail of damage across more than 30 states, affecting an estimated 230 million Americans. With a predicted six more weeks of winter ahead, property owners face a critical window to protect both their physical assets and their legal rights to insurance recovery. This guide outlines essential actions for business owners navigating the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern.

February 2, 2026 Carlton D. Wilde III

Coterra Energy to Merge with Devon Energy to Create $58B Shale Giant

Skadden and Gibson Dunn advised the two companies on the merger, which would create one of the largest shale oil producers in the Delaware Basin. The Texas Lawbook‘s Jason Philyaw has the details.

February 2, 2026 Jason Philyaw

Nine Energy Hires Kirkland and KRCL for Chapter 11 Restructuring

Houston-based Nine Energy Services and eight of its affiliated businesses filed Sunday for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Southern District of Texas.

February 2, 2026 Mark Curriden

2025 DFW Corp. Counsel Award Winners: ‘It Was a Challenging Year’

Brinker, Children’s Health, Comerica, Energy Transfer, Match, PGA, Schwab, Solo Brands and Trintech were the big winners Thursday night at the 2025 DFW Corporate Counsel Awards. Eight of the 14 award categories, including Business Litigation of the Year, M&A Transaction of the Year and Corporate Legal Department of the Year, featured multiple finalists, with judges describing them as photo finishes. More than 360 of the most prominent general counsel, senior in-house counsel and law firm partners celebrated the 2025 DFW Corporate Counsel Awards at the George W. Bush Institute. This was the ninth year that the Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW Chapter and The Texas Lawbook partnered on the awards event.