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P.S. — V&E Scholars Announced, Dallas SABA Gala Benefits Victims of Domestic Violence

Seven recent Texas high school graduates with an interest in a future practicing law learned this week that they are receiving a huge boost toward achieving their dreams. Vinson & Elkins announced that four students from Houston, two from Dallas and one from Austin are recipients of the firm’s annual V&E Scholars Program, which provides tuition funding and summer internships.

An abundance of potentially great legal talent is left on the sidelines because young people lack mentors, role models and the financial ability to position themselves for success. Over the next three months, The Texas Lawbook plans to highlight law firms, corporate legal departments and organizations who step up to improve diversity in the pipeline.

Also in this edition of P.S., The Lawbook recognizes several law firms that support the South Asian Bar Association of Dallas and its fundraising for a charity that helps South Asian victims of abuse.

September 6, 2024 Mark Curriden

Locke Lord, Troutman Pepper Vote to Merge

The combination will create a firm of more than 1,600 lawyers in 35 offices which last year reported more than $1.5 billion in revenues, placing it in the top 30 of the Am Law 100 rankings.

Kent Zimmermann, a strategic adviser and principal with the Zeughauser Group, introduced the two firms and describes the combination as “the most appealing in recent history.”

September 5, 2024 Allen Pusey

Texas Biz Courts are Open, But Filings Trickle In

In the four days since the Texas business courts opened for, well, business, only four cases have been filed. The high-dollar disputes will be adjudicated by new judges in the divisions covering Houston, Dallas and Austin. Attorneys from Bell Nunnally & Martin earned the title of first to file in the new courts.

September 5, 2024 Michelle Casady

Verizon to Acquire Frontier Communications in $20B Transaction

Debevoise & Plimpton advised Verizon. Cravath, Swain & Moore advised Frontier. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison counseled Frontier’s strategic review committee.

September 5, 2024 Allen Pusey

Litigation Roundup: Shareholders Accuse American Airlines of Securities Violations

In this edition of Litigation Roundup, a poker house’s appellate gamble pays off, Texas draws suit over a three-year old anti-ESG law, and a lawsuit that was seeking more than $7 billion in damages gets booted from Texas courts.

September 4, 2024 Michelle Casady

Bell Nunnally Recruits M&A Partner from Baker McKenzie

Jonathan Farrokhnia said in a LinkedIn post that “the new role represents a significant milestone in my career.”

September 3, 2024 Brooks Igo

CDT Roundup: 13 Deals, 9 Firms, 134 Lawyers, $20.6B

Others are beginning to notice what The Texas Lawbook has been following for some time: that despite the carping of state lawmakers and fossil fuel grumps, renewables are being woven into the fabric of Texas energy — both in its dealmaking and its grid. The analysts at Preqin are the latest to say so out loud. This week’s CDT Roundup has their observations along with the usual roster of last week’s deals.

September 3, 2024 Allen Pusey

Houston Jury Finds HCA Healthcare Owes Doctors $25.6M

The group of doctors, Fondren Orthopedic, and HCA, a Nashville for-profit operator of healthcare facilities across the country, were in a limited partnership that owns and operates Texas Orthopedic Hospital. Fondren filed suit in October 2021, accusing HCA of violating a noncompete agreement by allowing 10 competing hospitals in the Houston area to offer similar services.

September 3, 2024 Michelle Casady

Susman Scores $65.7M Patent Infringement Verdict

A federal jury in Waco listened to four days of testimony and oral arguments last week before finding that New Jersey-based Paltalk Holdings’ patents regarding audio server technology are valid and that Cisco Systems infringed on those patents with its Webex conferencing service. The jury awarded Paltalk $65.7 million in damages. In a press release, Paltalk said it plans to seek legal fees.

September 3, 2024 Mark Curriden

Governor Appoints David Gunn to First COA

The governor on Tuesday appointed David Gunn, 63, of Beck Redden to serve as the newest justice on the First Court of Appeals in Houston. He is filling the seat vacated by April Farris, who was appointed to the Fifteenth Court of Appeals by Gov. Greg Abbott in June. Justice Gunn’s term will expire in December 2026.