The bankruptcy courts in the Southern District of Texas are still a hotbed for intense litigation, attracting some of the best lawyers in the nation — just not for the reasons the bankruptcy judges ever wanted or even contemplated. Prominent Texas lawyers David Beck, Rusty Hardin, Anne Johnson, Tom Kirkendall, Mike Lynn, John Sparacino, Jeff Tillotson and scores of other highly paid lawyers have been hired by plaintiffs, defendants and third parties involved in the legal fallout from the forced resignation late last year of former SDTX Chief Bankruptcy Judge David Jones. The Texas Lawbook has the details.
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Austin IP Litigator Joins Winstead
Patent litigator Nadia Haghighatian announced her move from Kirkland & Ellis on LinkedIn. Earlier this week, Winstead announced a new real estate partner from Fried Frank.
SCOTX Reverses Jury’s $26 Million Verdict for Woman Paralyzed in Minivan Crash
A 2003 tort reform law limits Honda’s liability because its ceiling-mounted detachable seatbelt system met federal safety regulations. The case presented novel questions about the interplay of state law and federal regulations. The large jury verdict was considered by some lawyers to be a so-called “nuclear verdict” ripe for reversal.
P.S. — Animal Wellness Advocacy, July Legal Clinics, Public Defense Research
This week’s edition of P.S. features a Dallas-area law school’s new six-figure research project aimed at protecting Sixth Amendment rights, July dates for the Dallas Bar Association and Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program’s pro bono legal clinics (virtual, telephone and in-person), and background on a national animal rights-focused nonprofit that recently hired a new director in Texas.
Firms and companies featured in this week’s P.S. include Akin, Bradley, DLA Piper, Haynes Boone, Katten, Hunton Andrews Kurth, McDermott, Winston, Gibson Dunn, Prudential and EQT Corp.
Longtime Chamberlain Hrdlicka Tax Partner Jumps to Womble
Phyllis Guillory, who practiced at Chamberlain Hrdlick for nearly 30 years, has handled international transactions spanning more than 50 countries.
A Conversation with a Mother of 4 About Practicing Law on Her Own Terms
Many female litigators believe an “all or nothing” narrative they’ve been fed: They cannot raise a family while also advancing in their careers. But Reese Marketos’ Kendal Simpson is here to challenge that narrative with an alternative way of practicing law. After taking six years off to be a stay-at-home mom, Simpson recently returned to her firm with the goal of growing a team of high-achieving women who want more flexibility without having to leave their practice. In a Q&A with The Lawbook, Simpson discusses her part-time arrangement at her firm, how it’s added value and how others can pursue these types of opportunities.
“When we are the sex expected to do it all — that is unsustainable,” Simpson said. “This model is about women being able to sustain a skillset that they worked so hard to develop while also not neglecting other parts of life.”
SCOTUS Snapshot: The Fifth Circuit Is 3-7 This Term
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in 10 cases during the 2023-24 term that came from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. It reversed the Fifth Circuit seven times.
Texas Experts: SCOTUS’ Jarkesy Decision to Have Limited Impact on SEC Enforcement
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Thursday that defendants in fraud cases have the right to a civil jury trial in cases in which the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission seeks financial penalties appears to be broad and sweeping but may have only minimal impact on SEC enforcement actions. But legal experts say that the decision could have a significant impact on settlements with the SEC. The SEC’s case against George Jarkesy, a Texas hedge fund manager and conservative radio talk show host, dates back to 2013 when the government claims that Jarkesy defrauded investors by falsely leading them to believe that KPMG was auditing two funds he launched. The SEC brought their case in an administrative proceeding before an SEC-appointed ALJ. The SEC hit Jarkesy and a co-defendant with $300,000 in penalties and ordered Jarkesy’s fund, Patriot28, to disgorge about $685,000 in ill-gotten gains.
Also, click here to see the list of Fifth Circuit cases handled by the Supreme Court this term.
XCL Sheds Uinta Basin Assets to SM Energy, NOG for $2.55B
Kirkland & Ellis counseled SM Energy and NOG while Vinson & Elkins advised XCL on the deal, which marks both buyers’ entry into the area.
My Month of Pride: Celebrations, Reflections and Allyship
In this guest article, Jackson Walker bankruptcy partner Genevieve “Gen” Graham talks about her journey of coming out, Pride Month’s significance on a personal level and the importance of allyship.