Tracking themes apparent in other recent guidance issued by DOJ, companies now have more reason to focus on AI and the effective use of emerging technologies and data analytics, even when engaging in M&A deals, to enhance corporate compliance programs. Perhaps most significantly, the DOJ now asks companies to demonstrate how they are utilizing newly available technology such as AI and whether the companies have adequately prepared for the risks associated with using such technologies.
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Trial Begins in $30M Patent Infringement Case Against Nokia
Lawyers for a Dallas-area company that holds the patents told an East Texas jury tech giant Nokia of America Corporation used its technology to improve Nokia routers without paying royalties as trial began Wednesday. Nokia denies it uses the patented technology and alleges the marketplace wasn’t interested in the technology.
The Vanishing Texas-based Corporate Law Firm
At midnight on Dec. 31, the sign on the front door at Locke Lord will come down, and the corporate law firm’s 130-year history as a Dallas-based institution will come to an end as the result of a merger with Troutman Pepper. Over the last dozen years, more than 30 business law firms headquartered in Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio have merged with or been swallowed up by larger, more profitable corporate law firms seeking to enter the thriving Texas business market or expand specific practice areas. None of them call Texas HQ anymore.
Since 2012, seven of the 25 largest Texas-based corporate law firms have merged out of existence. Legal industry analysts predict that more Texas legacy firms — small, medium and large — will be takeover targets within the next 18 months.
15th COA Hears First Arguments in Cases Involving State Entities
Justices on the newly created court engaged in spirited questioning over appeals involving DPS’ Uvalde school shooting records, the AG’s biometric data case against Google, and the firing of a Crowley ISD teacher who pinned down a student. Lawmakers gave the court broad authority over appeals involving the state and cases from the new business courts.
Jackson Walker Bankruptcy Fee Trial Pushed to April
During a roughly 80-minute hearing Tuesday, Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Eduardo V. Rodriguez set an April 21 trial date in the litigation that will determine whether the U.S. trustee can claw back millions in bankruptcy fees awarded to Jackson Walker in cases handled by former judge David Jones. The court has given the parties until Dec. 2 to file dispositive motions in the case.
Kirkland Advises on $1.25B Sale of EQT Marcellus Assets
The purchase follows — and completes — a swap agreement announced in April in which EQT exchanged a 40 percent interest in those same assets for Equinor’s assets in the Appalachian Basin and $500 million in cash.
Seyfarth Snags Energy Trio from Polsinelli
Partner Chris Cottrell and associates Michael Szymanski and Xiaoming Gao will launch an energy transition practice at the firm’s Houston office.
Fifth Circuit Sides with Southwest Pilots Union in Fight with Airline
The Monday ruling from a three-judge panel undoes a September 2023 order from U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn dismissing the complaint and effectively kicking the case to arbitration. Judge Lynn had concluded that the union failed to show there was “anti-union animus” that would have created an exception and allowed the case to proceed in district court.
Nokia Routers at Issue in Patent Infringement Trial Set to Start in Marshall
Dallas-area company Correct Transmission will try to persuade a federal East Texas jury that Finland-based tech giant Nokia infringed on five of its patents during a trial set to begin Wednesday in Marshall. Correct Transmission has sued other companies over the patents it inherited from a bankrupt Israel-based company.
Litigation Roundup: Rehearing at Fifth Circuit Goes Tesla’s Way in NLRB Dispute
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, we detail a 9-8 ruling from the Fifth Circuit that wiped out a National Labor Relations Board ruling against Tesla, offer new details on who is defending SpaceX in a fight with a neighboring South Texas landowner, and highlight a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that hits pause on a Fifth Circuit ruling in a case centered on the regulation of horseracing.