Chief Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod is the first former trial judge to lead the Fifth Circuit in decades. Colleagues on the court, and those who have practiced before her and volunteered alongside her, shared their insights about the jurist with The Texas Lawbook in interviews this week.
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Trial in American Airlines’ Suit Against Company Promoting ‘Hidden City’ Fares Begins Monday
The carrier says the practice known as ‘skiplagging’ — booking a flight with a layover, then abandoning the second leg of the flight — violates airline policies and leaves travelers at risk of having their tickets declared invalid.
P.S. — ACC San Antonio, Texas Lawbook Announce Partnership, Honor Christine Reinhard and Vincent Johnson for Ethics, Leadership
The Texas Lawbook and the Association of Corporate Counsel’s San Antonio Chapter have agreed to a new media content partnership similar to partnerships The Lawbook has with ACC chapters in DFW and Houston. And as part of the partnership, ACC San Antonio has announced that it is honoring St. Mary’s University School of Law professor Vincent R. Johnson and San Antonio labor and employment lawyer Christine Reinhard with the 2024 Lee Cusenbary Ethical Life and Leadership Award. This week’s P.S. column also highlights the new leadership of the Houston Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, led by chapter president and Pattern Energy Senior Counsel Lauren Haller.
Texas Supreme Court Term Preview — Key Business Cases
The Supreme Court of Texas has completed its first week of oral arguments of the 2024-25 term. Here is a preview of key business cases currently on the Court’s argument docket.
AZA Hits Back on DQ Motion in Hurricane Zeta, Transocean MDL
Arnold & Itkin and Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing are locked in a fight over whether AZA can continue representing Transocean in multidistrict litigation, or if an alleged conflict of interest and an alleged attempt to taint the jury pool mandate the firm’s disqualification. AZA argues there is no basis for disqualification.
SCOTX Scrutinizes Reach of Texas Civil Barratry Law
Allegations that two Texas lawyers should be held liable for solicitations that occurred in Louisiana and Arkansas put a spotlight on the unique Texas civil barratry law. The plaintiffs argue that the financing and directing of the scheme occurred in Texas. The lawyers say the lawsuit cannot overcome the presumption against extraterritoriality.
The Dallas Morning News, The Texas Lawbook Form News Partnership
The Texas Lawbook, the largest and most influential legal publication in Texas with more than 16,000 paid subscribers, is expanding its reach into the Texas business community with a new content partnership with The Dallas Morning News.
Three Dealmakers Bolt Winston for Jones Day
Rodney Moore, Samuel Peca and Scott Delaney — all veterans of Weil — are headed to Jones Day after less than two years at Winston & Strawn.
Bailey Brauer Hires Away Commercial Litigation Lawyer From Vinson & Elkins
While at Vinson & Elkins, Jared Wilkinson handled cases in Delaware’s Court of Chancery. He told The Texas Lawbook that he looks forward to working on Bailey Brauer cases that are assigned to Texas’ new business court divisions.
Butler Snow Leads Fort Worth Elder Care Center Bankruptcy
Citing $112 million in municipal debt, Fort Worth senior living center The Stayton at Museum Way has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in five years.