In a Q&A with The Lawbook, Willding describes recent deals he has handled, elaborates on a “significant pickup” in middle-market M&A deals, and identifies other trends he is observing
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SCOTUS Sides with Insurer in Asbestos-related Chapter 11 Case
On Thursday, Justice Sonya Sotomayor delivered the 8-0 opinion of the court that held Truck Insurance Exchange should have been allowed to voice its concerns about the terms of a proposed $50 million settlement of thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits because the insurer is a “party in interest” in the dispute. Gibson Dunn’s Allyson Ho argued the case and spoke to The Lawbook about its implications.
Texas Supreme Court Abates Meta Lawsuit in Light of Tentative Settlement
A little more than a week before trial was slated to begin, a settlement has apparently been reached in a case where Texas alleged Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, had unlawfully used the biometric data of Texans without their consent and for commercial use.
P.S. — A Brunch (and Q&A) for Dads, A 5K Sponsorship, A New NAMWOLF Firm
This week’s edition of P.S. features a spotlight on Houston-based, fatherhood-focused nonprofit CoolxDad and a Q&A with the lawyer who recently handled the lease negotiations for its new headquarters pro bono, details of a recent 5K benefiting those affected by sickle cell disease that was sponsored by a Dallas law firm, another firm operating in Dallas that just became NAMWOLF certified and June dates for the Dallas Bar Association’s LegalLine E-Line Clinic.
Other firms and organizations mentioned this week include Pillsbury, Hilgers Graben, Witherite Law/1-800-TruckWreck, The Alta Arts, Midway, Kier’s Hope, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Trinity Groves, Carter Blood Bank, Smile Time Dentistry and D. Herbs.
Jury System Survives Challenges in Trump Case
In this guest article, Winston & Strawn’s Tom Melsheimer applauds the jurors who decided the New York State court trial of Donald Trump. “Trial lawyers can discuss and debate the result and argue about the tactics of both sides. That’s fair game,” he writes. “But anything but praise for the citizens who were effectively drafted into a fractious and controversial case? That’s just fake news.”
Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Trial Begins in Dallas
The latest trial accusing the cosmetic giant J&J of manufacturing products that caused consumer’s cancer got underway in Dallas on Wednesday. A Texas man says his mesothelioma was caused by the talc mineral used in the company’s baby powder.
Dallas Law Firm Obtains $260M Verdict Against J&J in Latest Baby Powder Trial
Dean Omar Branham Shirley represented an Oregon mother of three who said her mesothelioma diagnosis came after years of using J&J’s baby powder. The company is facing lawsuits across the country from plaintiffs who claim J&J knew cancer-causing asbestos was turning up in its baby powder for decades but didn’t warn consumers or the FDA.
Q&A with SEC Associate Regional Director for Enforcement David Fraser
Last fall, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission promoted David Fraser to associate regional director for the Fort Worth regional office. Fraser discusses the new role and the challenges and successes he’s had so far in leading enforcement for the FWRO in this Q&A.
Q&A with Katten Health Care Chair Kenya Woodruff
The Texas Lawbook visited with Woodruff about how she keeps all the balls in the air, trends in health care, mentorship advice, and the innovative work by Katten client Parker University, a chiropractic college in Dallas that boasts the second largest chiropractic cohort of any campus in the world.
CDT Roundup: 12 Deals, 11 Firms, 147 Lawyers, $34.5B
The ongoing once-in-a-generation wave of oil & gas consolidation has gained serious momentum, as witnessed by the $22.5 billion merger agreement reached last week between ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil. What’s driving it? The Roundup’s Claire Poole tops off her weekly summary of Texas-related dealmaking with a roundup of factors behind the recent proliferation of big energy deals, and takes a bonus look at the prospect that they could lead to more.