In response to President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting Susman Godfrey, 57 Texas law students signed a student-led amicus brief supporting the firm and warning of the order’s chilling effect on the legal profession. The Texas Lawbook reached out to the 57 — seven agreed to be interviewed. The students, including organizer Brennan Caruthers, say the amicus brief and their actions were born from a growing frustration among students who felt the legal profession had been largely silent in the face of mounting political pressure.
More Stories
Texas Charts New Path on AI With Landmark Regulation
Texas has become the second state, after Colorado, to enact omnibus legislation regulating artificial intelligence systems. The Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act establishes a new regulatory framework that applies to developers and deployers of AI systems conducting business in Texas or producing AI products or services used by Texas residents. The passage of the Texas law is noteworthy given that in recent months, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia each vetoed their respective state’s omnibus AI laws. It remains to be seen whether other states follow Texas’ and Colorado’s lead, or if they avoid omnibus AI laws and focus instead on regulating specific activities, such as the use of deepfakes.
Parties Rest in Emotional Weeklong Cicis Trial
Jury trial in the $10 million dispute between cousins who bought Cicis Pizza’s debt during the COVID-19 global pandemic continues with testimony from one of the cousins and a valuation expert. The plaintiff’s counsel rested its case Monday afternoon, and the defense rested its case Tuesday afternoon.
Mediation Fails in Jackson Walker, U.S. Trustee Bankruptcy Fee Dispute
The multimillion-dollar dispute between Jackson Walker and the U.S. Trustee over legal fees paid to the law firm involved in the Houston bankruptcy court romance scandal looks like it is heading to trial. Lawyers for Jackson Walker informed federal court officials Tuesday that efforts to resolve the litigation through mediation had failed.
LifeScan Hires Milbank, Porter Hedges to Lead Bankruptcy
A Pennsylvania-based glucose and diabetes monitoring device manufacturer listing liabilities of $1.7 billion filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday in the Southern District of Texas.
Casino Operators File for Bankruptcy in SDTX
Maverick Gaming, a Washington state-based gambling operation, and 68 of its affiliated businesses filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing $100 million to $500 million in liabilities.
Fifth Circuit Tells Judge O’Connor More Analysis Needed in Media Matters, X Corp. Venue Spat
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Tuesday instructed U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor to conduct a more thorough analysis before deciding whether to grant a motion from Media Matters to move a lawsuit to the Northern District of California.
Willkie Continues to Expand its Dallas Office with Veteran Dealmakers
Willkie Farr & Gallagher continues to expand the Dallas office it opened a year ago, this time by hiring three veteran private equity dealmakers as partners, the firm announced Tuesday. The move by the trio of transactional lawyers — Jesse Betts, Jessica Hammons and Nathan Meredith — bolsters Willkie’s corporate & financial services vertical and its PE, M&A and capital markets capabilities.
FBFK Adds Two Lawyers to its Austin Office
FBFK Law has hired Roland Wiederaenders and Sarah Florer as shareholders in its Austin office. The veteran corporate and finance lawyers have combined expertise in private capital, fund formation and cross-border transactions that strengthen the firm’s corporate and investment practice.
Litigation Roundup: CEO Indicted in Alleged UT Austin Arena Bid Rigging Conspiracy
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit finds that a lawsuit challenging admissions practices at the University of Texas at Austin is not moot, a fake immigration lawyer faces prison time, and the Western District of Texas announces a high-profile indictment.