Jessica Howton Stool is nearly six weeks into her new job as executive director of Houston Volunteer Lawyers — the pro bono arm of the Houston Bar Association. Between tasks of her onboarding process, which have included acquainting herself with HVL’s staff, budget, and grant system, Howton Stool talked with The Lawbook’s Natalie Posgate about her passion for pro bono law, what attracted her to HVL, which area of law HVL needs the most lawyer volunteers for currently and what law firms can do to improve their pro bono capabilities.
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Judge Starr’s AI Order Draws Praise
U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr could be the first in the nation to issue a standing order governing the use of artificial intelligence in his courtroom. Texas attorneys who spoke to The Lawbook about the order praised the move as a needed reminder of a lawyer’s professional obligations.
Texas’s Top Bar Scorers Share Tips and Inspiration
The top three scorers of the February Texas bar exam include an associate at a Dallas litigation boutique, an incoming corporate associate at Holland & Knight and a mother of six who felt compelled to help with unaccompanied minor cases at the immigration nonprofit she volunteers with.
Amici Take Sides in $1.6B IBM, BMC Appeal
Six amicus briefs have been filed with the Fifth Circuit in the case where IBM is trying to undo a $1.6 billion judgment entered against it after a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Gray Miller. BMC had filed a cross appeal in the lawsuit but dropped that fight in April to “simplify and shorten the proceedings.”
Texas Business Court Poised to Usher in New Era of High Stakes Commercial Litigation
The Texas business litigation bar is abuzz with anticipation as the Texas business court bill from 2023 heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for signature. Arguably the most transformative change to the Texas judiciary since tort reform, the bill has potential to reshape the way businesses in Texas resolve complex disputes. Despite many open questions, the bill, which would require the business court to begin hearing qualifying cases beginning on Sept. 1, 2024, stands to impact business litigation in Texas sooner than later.
Litigation Roundup: Texas Agrees to $425M in Settlements, Jerry Jones Hires Jackson Walker for Defamation Defense
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, Jerry Jones hires a Jackson Walker First Amendment pro to defend him in a defamation suit, Texas reaches multimillion-dollar settlements with Audi, Volkswagen and Walgreens and a chemical company lost a bid on appeal to saddle an insurer with a $16 million bill after paying fraudulent invoices.
New Law Will Reshape Privacy Regulation in Texas
Over Memorial Day weekend, the Texas legislature passed the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act. Texas is now poised to join a rapidly growing list of U.S. states that have passed “comprehensive” privacy regulations, a trend that began in 2018 with the enactment of the California Consumer Privacy Act. The TPDSA will likely have a much broader impact than the similar laws enacted in Virginia, Utah, Colorado and Connecticut.
Under Attack, Dallas Juvenile Probation Department Hires KRCL
Dallas trial lawyer Brian Hail has successfully represented more than two-dozen clients in business disputes that resulted in multimillion-dollar trial victories. But Hail has been hired by the Dallas County Juvenile Department to fight a subpoena issued by Dallas County Commissioners for tens of thousands of “observation sheets” of children being detained earlier this year. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, Hail says the subpoena is illegal.
CDT Roundup: 17 Deals, 10 Firms, 67 Lawyers, $12.2B
While the CDT Roundup has noted the part played by Texas lawyers at Vinson & Elkins and Kirkland & Ellis on behalf of PE giants KKR and Blackstone, another has raised its hand: Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. This week’s Roundup notes the seven deals involving Texas bar card holders at the vaunted New York white shoe firm. As always there’s the usual rundown of transactions reported last week, along with the names of the firms and lawyers attached to them.
Weil, Innocence Project & Dallas DA Obtain Exoneration for Innocent Man
Last Wednesday, a team of lawyers from Weil, Gotshal & Manges, the Innocence Project and the conviction integrity division of Dallas’ District Attorney Office obtained the exoneration and actual innocence finding of a man after he served 26 years in prison and, upon his parole, was required to register as a sex offender. Natalie Posgate provides the background of the case and a Q&A with lead Weil partner Paul Genender.