The firm’s new top inclusion, diversity and equity official talked with The Lawbook about her background, the challenges the DEI industry is facing, how to retain diverse talent and why the firm leads with “inclusion” in her job title.
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Litigation Roundup: Dallas Luxury Apartment Co. Sued over Mistaken Eviction, Fifth Circuit Revives False Arrest Claim Against Texas Police Chief
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, the University of Houston gets a retaliation lawsuit tossed on appeal, a group of investors in a Dallas-area chain of hot chicken restaurants settles its suit with a hospitality group and the Fifth Circuit sides with the National Labor Relations Board in a suit involving fired plant workers.
Avantax Inks $1.2B Take-Private Deal with Cetera
Sidley Austin and Haynes Boone counseled Dallas-based Avantax and Willkie assisted Genstar-backed Cetera as consolidation continues in the asset management industry.
Evolving Case Law and Recent Legal Actions Influence Compilation of Boards of Directors of ESOP-Owned Companies
The unique ownership structure of a company owned by an employee stock ownership plan and trust expands the fiduciary duties of the board of directors of the ESOP company. This article examines best practices for ESOP boards relating to board compilation, fiduciary duties and committees.
Simpson Lures ‘Rising M&A Star’ Lukaszewski away from Sidley
The UT Law grad joins the firm’s energy and infrastructure practice. Her past clients have included Neste, Mitsui and Kimmeridge as well as various consumer brands.
Energy Companies Racking Up Hundreds of Millions in Legal Bills in Winter Storm Uri Litigation
More than 400 lawyers at more than 30 elite corporate law firms in Texas have made a total of more than $280 million in legal fees related to disputes involving Winter Storm Uri — a tab that legal industry insiders estimate will easily top a half-billion dollars before the litigation is over — even though not a single case has even been set for trial.
And those are only the lawyers representing energy companies and insurance firms. More than 80 plaintiffs’ attorneys — most of them from Houston — have filed lawsuits on behalf of tens of thousands of individuals and businesses claiming they were harmed by the actions — or lack of actions — of the energy companies during Winter Storm Uri. If successful, those lawyers could earn upwards of a billion dollars.
P.S — Lawbook Foundation, LANWT and NTX Giving Day Updates
This week’s edition of P.S. puts on your radar some key dates for community giving and The Lawbook and ACC’s pro bono and diversity awards nomination deadlines, a new series Natalie Posgate is launching this fall and a Dallas lawyer who has joined a nonprofit board.
A Conversation on Mental Health with TLAP’s Leader
The Lawbook recently spoke to Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program director Michelle Fontenot, who elaborated on the range of mental health and substance abuse services TLAP offers and shared her thoughts on the pandemic’s effect on lawyers’ mental health, the billable hour, best ways for the legal community to support TLAP and what firms and corporate legal departments could be doing better to support the wellness of their employees.
Viper Picks Up Oil Interests from Warwick, GRP for $1B
Akin represented the buyer and Kirkland the sellers in something of a strategic departure for Viper.
Texas Enhances Permissive Appeals by Requiring Explanation for Denials and Expanding Supreme Court Review
The Texas Supreme Court has unveiled a change to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 28.3 to implement recent legislation requiring the state’s 14 intermediate appellate courts to explain themselves when denying petitions for permissive appeal. The amendment increases the importance of permissive appeals in Texas and will enhance their ability to impact outcomes in civil litigation.