C. Gregory Shamoun of Shamoun & Norman, who represented 13MC in the trial, told The Texas Lawbook in a recent interview that from the beginning, he tried to “keep it simple” for the jury that was given what he said was “one of the most complex” charges he’s seen in 35 years of practicing law. It took the 12-person jury that heard a week of testimony about three hours on Monday to determine Megatel waived its right of first refusal to purchase the property from 13MC via a breach of contract.
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Governor Appoints Justices to San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth Business Courts
Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed two judges each to the new business courts in San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin, leaving only the division in Houston without inaugural appointees.
The governor made appointments to the San Antonio court Thursday, while on Wednesday he appointed the judges in Dallas and Fort Worth and on Tuesday he appointed jurists to the newly-created Fifteenth Court of Appeals as well as the Austin division of the business courts.
Exxon Mobil Names Former Fox Lawyer as New GC
Following its pattern of promoting former top federal prosecutors and regulators to leading corporate positions, Exxon Mobil announced Wednesday that former Fox Corporation general counsel and former U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeff Taylor, will be the energy giant’s next top lawyer. Exxon Mobil announced Wednesday that Craig Morford, also a former federal prosecutor who has been the company’s general counsel since 2020, will retire on July 1 and that Taylor will be his replacement.
Texas Law Firm Obtains Full Defense Verdict for Michaels Stores in Paint-By-Numbers Dispute
A federal jury in Dallas decided Michaels Stores did not infringe on a small business’ paint-by-numbers art kit or engage in unfair competition. Dallas lawyers with Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr took the case less than three months before the trial began.
Matador Inks $1.9B Bolt-On Deal with EnCap for Delaware Basin Assets
The two sides were counseled by Baker Botts and Vinson & Elkins, much as they were in a similar transaction in 2023. The bolt-on transaction includes an interest in Piñon Midstream, a pipeline and gas treatment operation that expands Matador’s operational footprint in New Mexico and West Texas.
Gotta Move On: Polsinelli Expands to Fort Worth
Kansas City-based Polsinelli announced Wednesday it has opened its third office in Texas in ‘Funkytown’ with a group of four transactional lawyers. Firm leaders say Fort Worth is a right fit for the Midwest firm.
Johnson & Johnson Reaches Settlement in Dallas Baby Powder Trial
A settlement has been reached in the state’s first trial alleging Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder contained cancer-causing asbestos. Also on Tuesday, 43 states including Texas, reached a $700 million settlement with J&J, ending claims that the company was deceptively marketing its talc powder products as safe.
Scott A. Brister to Lead New 15th Court of Appeals
Two others with intermediate appellate court experience were named to the appellate court by Gov. Abbott, who also announced appointments to the new Austin business court division. The governor still must name judges for business court divisions in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. The Texas Lawbook‘s Janet Elliott has the details.
Business Court Applicants Pick Favorite Judges, Disliked Decisions
Answers to the governor’s questionnaire shed some light on the judicial philosophies of some 30 who have applied for the coming business trial and appellate courts. Generally, they like conservatives like Scalia and Thomas and shun SCOTUS decisions on Obamacare and the Chevron deference.
Editor’s note: This article was written in advance of the governor’s announcements Wednesday.
The Corner Office: Q&A with Paul Genender
In this Q&A, Genender, who chairs the firm’s Texas commercial litigation practice and co-chairs its Dallas and Houston offices, describes why the move has been even better than imagined and shares what career fulfillment means to him and why he is proud to be a lawyer. Plus, with Game 3 of the NBA Finals tipping off in Dallas on Wednesday, Genender offers a basketball analogy for being in the office.