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Jackson Walker, GWG Bankruptcy Trustee Reach $405,000 Settlement

The litigation trustee in the GWG Holdings bankruptcy dispute has asked a federal judge to approve a $405,000 out-of-court settlement agreement with the law firm Jackson Walker related to the scandal involving former Houston Bankruptcy Judge David Jones.

The GWG litigation trustee is the seventh party to reach a proposed settlement with Jackson Walker, which is accused of knowing about and failing to disclose a secret romantic relationship between one of its former bankruptcy partners, Elizabeth Freeman, and Judge Jones.

SDTX Bankruptcy Court Scandal Timeline

2011: David Jones leaves Houston law firm Porter Hedges after 19 years as a corporate bankruptcy lawyer to become a bankruptcy judge in the Southern District of Texas. Jones later hires

GWG Bondholders Slam Dismissal Bids in RICO Suit

In four separate filings, GWG bondholders this week spoke out forcefully against requests from Jackson Walker, Porter Hedges, David Jones and Elizabeth Freeman to dismiss racketeering claims against them, doubling down on allegations that each party was enriched by keeping secret a “live-in, intimate relationship” between then-bankruptcy judge Jones and bankruptcy lawyer Freeman. 

P.S. — October is Pro Bono Month for this Houston Organization, Plus Dallas Hispanic Bar Association Celebrates 20th, and Lambda Legal Honors Trailblazing Judge 

October brings a flurry of pro bono and legal community celebrations across Texas. Houston Volunteer Lawyers is marking the entire month as Pro Bono Month, spotlighting volunteers and hosting CLE opportunities. The Dallas Hispanic Bar Association celebrated its 20th Anniversary Noche de Luz Gala during Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring civil rights pioneer Sylvia Mendez as keynote speaker and presenting awards to leaders in the legal community. Looking ahead, Lambda Legal will host its Landmark Dinner on Oct. 11 in Dallas, where it will present Judge Tonya Parker with the Liberty Award for her civil rights work and feature speakers including decorated Navy pilot Commander Emily “Hawking” Shilling and Texas lawmakers Jessica González and Nathan Johnson.

Norton Rose Hires Veteran Finance Partner from Winston & Strawn

Norton Rose Fulbright announced on Thursday that it has expanded its business practice group by hiring veteran Dallas corporate finance partner Chip Gage. With more than 30 years of experience representing private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, he joins Norton Rose after spending nearly nine years at Winston & Strawn.

Texas Panel Says State Law Bars El Paso Conspiracy Suit in Cross-Border Dispute

The case turned on whether Texas or Mexico law applied to the issue of res judicata, which precludes parties from relitigating disputes once there’s been a final judgment on the merits. The Eighth Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 opinion, determined the trial court gets to decide which law applies and it was not incorrect in determining the litigation of a related suit in Juarez, Mexico, barred this one in El Paso under Texas law.

Dallas Jury Hits Golf Cart Supplier With $30M Verdict

After nearly four hours of deliberations and an eight-day trial, the Dallas County jury unanimously found a supplier of golf carts breached its exclusivity agreement and purposefully interfered with a retailer’s business by selling its products directly to Lowe’s. One attorney said the jury “sent a message” with its verdict.

My Five Favorite Books: Barry Pound (Director of Public Relations, Androvett Legal Media & Marketing)

It’s really disappointing to realize the number of people who read for pleasure is continuing to decline – one recent study found by as much as 40% in the past 20 years – and despite research showing the positive effects of discretionary reading on our mental health, social capabilities and overall well-being. Those results may vary, but I still read 100 or more books annually and have for most of my adult life. In developing this list, which was much harder than I anticipated, I was struck by the fact that all are novels that were published more than 40 years ago — while I generally read current mysteries, thrillers and non-fiction. Perhaps that only means that in my case a “favorite” made an impression as a young adult or even a child, and has stood that test of time.

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