Robert Brockman’s death came just two days after his attorney said her client was receiving morphine treatments for pain, was in hospice care and had stopped “tolerating food or water.” The Lawbook talked to a former federal prosecutor about the implications for the pending criminal and civil cases against Brockman.
More Stories
CDT Roundup: 24 Deals, 12 Firms, 240 Lawyers, $7.9B
Last week’s 24 deals were plentiful and diverse: software for company benchmarking, energy distribution in Brazil, a Turkish mobile provider, recycled aggregates, carbon capture, aerial firefighting and even an upstream deal or two. But eyes are still on SPAC deals, which are facing some investor headwinds, and there were a few of them as well. The CDT Roundup explains and, as usual, names lots of names.
Devon Energy Scoops Up Validus, Expanding Position in Eagle Ford
Vinson & Elkins represented Validus while Kirkland & Ellis advised Devon on a deal that came as a surprise to analysts. Claire Poole has more on the transaction.
Litigation Roundup: Tax Fraud, Landlord RICO Claims, Media Wants Answers in Uvalde Shooting
In this week’s Litigation Roundup, we have a multimillion-dollar civil jury verdict, a criminal jury verdict and four new lawsuits brought by a chef, a law firm and more than a dozen major media outlets.
Appellate Roundup: Exxon Loses Fight For $1.5B Tax Refund, Prank Mail Emotional Distress Suit Tossed And More
This edition of the appellate roundup features a reference to “occult mysteries” in Exxon’s $1.5B tax dispute, the dismissal of an emotional distress lawsuit stemming from a gag gift and more.
St. Mary’s Hosts Lawtina Network Summit
This weekend, the Lawtina Network Summit will bring together pre-law students, law students, practicing lawyers and allies of Latinas in the legal profession. The summit is the brainchild of St. Mary’s 3L Brianna Chapa.
V&E Advises HeartBrand Holdings in Bankruptcy Filing
A South Central Texas wagyu beef company filed for bankruptcy Monday in the Southern District of Texas after getting hit a year ago with a $30 million breach of contract and fraud verdict. Flatonia-based HeartBrand Holdings and its subsidiary American Akaushi Association filed for Chapter 11 citing liabilities between $10 million and $50 million and assets between $50 million and $100 million.
Sources: Veteran Prosecutor Front-Runner for EDTX U.S. Attorney
Damien Diggs would be the first African American to serve as top federal prosecutor in the 43-county district, which encompasses Plano, Tyler, Sherman, Marshall, Texarkana, Lufkin and Beaumont.
Ex-CEO In $2B Tax Fraud Case In Hospice Care Judge Told
During a hearing Wednesday morning before U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. in Houston, Brockman’s attorney told the court her client is not doing well. Brockman, who has dementia, is facing a criminal trial in which the government alleges he concealed about $2 billion in income.
Only Four Texas Corporations Sign Pro-Diversity Briefs in College Admissions Case
The four companies are supporting Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, which have been sued by Students for Fair Admissions, an organization that claims that Asian Americans are being discriminated against when colleges consider race or ethnicity as a factor in admitting students.