Wednesday afternoon, as lawyers left their offices for the long Thanksgiving weekend, Texas election officials quietly updated the official results of the race for the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas. The final vote tally shows that Dallas County Criminal Court Judge Tina Clinton received nearly 1,600 votes more than her Republican opponent, giving the Democrats a sole victory among the eight races for state appellate court. But lawyers say that state Republican leaders are pressuring its candidate to challenge the results.
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Weil, AZA Name Newly Promoted Partners for 2025
Weil and AZA are the 12th and 13th law firms in Texas to release their new partner list, bringing the total number of newly minted partners this cycle to 69.
Dallas-Based Dean Omar Branham Shirley Takes Johnson & Johnson to Trial in String of Legal Fights
DOBS has been in near back-to-back trials this year across the country against Johnson & Johnson over claims its talc-based baby powder was contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos. At the heart of DOBS’ latest trial is Michaeleen Lee, an 80-year-old grandmother and former chemistry professor who died from mesothelioma, a cancer in the lining of the lung.
Dallas Litigators Courtney Barksdale Perez and Joshua Bennett Jump to BakerHostetler
Less than a year after being made name partner at litigation firm Carter Arnett, Courtney Barksdale Perez and Joshua Bennett have moved to a larger, national platform.
Rapper Drake Taps Houston Firm AZA to Take Rap Beef to Courtroom
Rapper Drake has tapped Houston law firm Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing, known as AZA, to represent him in a legal action against Universal Music Group amid his high-profile feud with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar. AZA Partners John Zavitsanos, Daryl Moore, Monica Uddin and associate Michael Killingsworth on Monday filed a pre-lawsuit petition in Bexar County requesting permission to take depositions of corporate representatives for UMG and iHeartMedia.
Jury Slams Natera with $292.5M Verdict in False Advertising, Unfair Competition Trial over Colorectal Cancer Test
Guardant Health and Natera had lodged false advertising claims against each other, with Guardant filing suit first in May 2021 and Natera following with counterclaims in June 2021. The jury, which was seated Nov. 4 and heard 10 days of testimony before returning a verdict Monday, awarded Guardant $75 million in damages for corrective advertising, about $41.5 million for disgorgement of Natera’s profits and $175.5 million in punitive damages.
North Texas Tollway Authority Nets $280M Verdict Against President George Bush Turnpike Constructors
A Dallas County jury found Prairie Link Constructors, a joint venture of construction companies Fluor Enterprises and Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, breached its contract with the North Texas Tollway Authority to build six and a half miles of roads, bridges and retaining walls on the President George Bush Turnpike. A majority of the walls were found to be defective, the NTTA alleged.
Litigation Roundup: Google Goes After Ex-Engineer Over Allegedly Posting Trade Secrets Online
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, the U.S. Supreme Court agrees to review a Fifth Circuit decision against the Federal Communications Commission, we identify the Dallas lawyers who helped secure a nearly $100 million verdict for the family of Botham Jean, and Vedder Price is tapped to represent NFL quarterback Baker Mayfield in a $12 million family feud.
Texas GC Forum Honors Corporate Legal Leaders of 2024
The Texas General Counsel Forum held its annual Magna Stella Awards dinner in San Antonio Thursday night recognizing nine chief legal officers and senior in-house counsel for their extraordinary achievements and leadership successes. The GC Forum provided The Texas Lawbook exclusive access to its annual meeting and the awards ceremony. More than 350 lawyers from corporate legal departments and law firms attended the event. The recipients included lawyers from Air Liquide, LyondellBasell, PlayPower, Schwab, Sumitomo, Texas Children’s Hospital and XRI Holdings.
Correction: David Starr’s name was mistakenly printed Carr in several references. The Lawbook apologizes for the error.
Arizona Case Heightens ESOP Oversight Responsibilities of Company Directors
A recent decision in Arizona federal court shows that the directors of ESOP companies need to recognize that their interests and fiduciary duties are not always aligned with those of the ESOP investment banker (who is providing them guidance), the ESOP trustee and the ESOP advisors. This article highlights the key takeaways from a closely-watched case by the industry, Su v. Bensen.