For the first time in 32 years, Texas will have Democrats on the state’s Supreme Court. With more than 97 percent of the votes counted, three Austin Appeals Court justices and a Harris County district court judge are leading four incumbent Republican justices by margins of four to six percent. The expected victory by the four Democrats places them one vote shy of a majority on the nine-member court. In another shocker — and probably the one with the most immediate impact — Democrats have ousted all three sitting Republican justices on the Texas Fifteenth Court of Appeals.
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Texas Supreme Court, 15th Court of Appeals Elections Too Close to Call
For the first time in 32 years, Texas appears ever so close late Tuesday night to electing Democrats to the state’s Supreme Court. The blue wave that swept the state seems to have a similar but lesser impact on the major judicial elections, including the four Democrats running against incumbents on the state Supreme Court and three Democrats seeking to oust sitting justices on the Texas Fifteenth Court of Appeals.
New Governance Structure Means No Chapter 11 Trustee in Camp Mystic Bankruptcy
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez has approved Camp Mystic’s proposal to hand control of its wrongful death litigation to two independent fiduciaries. The 19-page order avoids the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee but leaves the door open for future challenges from creditors.
Munsch Hardt Builds Up Corporate Practice in Dallas
Austin Freeman, who was previously at Egan Nelson, is the fifth shareholder to join Munsch’s Corporate & Securities section this year.
Marathon, MPLX Sell Two Refineries to CVR for $4.2B
Jones Day advised Marathon led by Houston partner Jeff Schlegel, who heads the firm’s global energy practice. Latham & Watkins provided outside legal counsel to the conflicts committee of MPLX. Vinson & Elkins advised CVR Energy.
Dallas Construction Lawyer Moves from Beck Group to FBT Gibbons
FBT Gibbons said Christopher Villa has joined its Dallas office as a partner in the real estate practice group from The Beck Group, where he served as senior counsel for
UPDATED: NRA Sues William Brewer and His Law Firm for $200 Million-Plus
The National Rifle Association has filed a petition in Dallas to claw back more than $200 million in legal fees from William Brewer and his law firm. The gun rights group alleges the Dallas attorney committed egregious malpractice, shielded former CEO Wayne LaPierre, and orchestrated a disastrous bad-faith bankruptcy. The Brewer Law Firm, in a statement Tuesday to The Texas Lawbook, said it is proud of the legal work it did for the NRA and will “vigorously defend that record of excellence against these baseless claims.”
Catching Up with Daniel Dutko on His Move to Kherkher Garcia
Dutko, who has tried more than 50 jury trials, visited with The Texas Lawbook about his practice, his best day as a lawyer, and emerging trends in plaintiffs’ litigation.
Litigation Roundup: Momentum Builds for UTEP Law School
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, Motorola sees a discovery win in a European patent infringement dispute reversed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and a Houston appellate court ends a man’s quest to investigate potential Texas Heartbeat Act claims against a former romantic partner.
Remembering Justice Ron Chapman
I had always admired people who put their principles ahead of their own financial interests. Think Muhammad Ali, who walked away from the biggest title in sports, or Pete Seeger, whose successful musical career was put on hold by McCarthy-ism. That was Ron Chapman. Texas lost one of its great jurists this summer.