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Chief Judge Godbey to Sen. Schumer: Addressing Forum Shopping in Single-Judge Division is Complex and ‘Presents Logistical Challenges’

Chief U.S. District Judge David Godbey of the NDTX told U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer that he is “not authorized to impose unilaterally a new method of case allocation” in order to eliminate forum shopping for favorable judges for specific kinds of cases.

In a two-page letter, Chief Judge Godbey said he is “cognizant of the public perception of improper judge-shopping in single-judge divisions,” but the “issues of single-judge divisions are long-standing, and they are not limited to any one class of litigant.”

May 16, 2023 Mark Curriden

Verdict in Personal Injury Case May Limit Future Attorney-Physician Protections

A Dallas trial court’s recent decision following new guidance from the Texas Supreme Court on protected information can provide invaluable guidance to attorneys on both sides of the aisle — as well as medical providers — in the pursuit of personal injury claims.

May 16, 2023 William H. Chamblee

CDT Roundup: 12 Deals, 10 Firms, 101 Lawyers, $7B

With oil prices both up and stable Bryan Loocke of Vinson & Elkins has been as busy as any Houston energy lawyer. The CDT Roundup decided it was time to Q&A him: about his most recent deals, renewables and what he sees happening over the rest of the year. You can even learn what he’s been reading, along with the usual list of firms and names of the lawyers who reported their deals last week.

May 16, 2023 Claire Poole

Litigation Roundup: Investors Sue Blackstone over ‘Rushed’ $788M Sale, SCOTX Decides Arbitration Spat

In this week’s edition of Litigation Roundup, the state of Texas turns to Gibson Dunn & Crutcher to defend it in a long-running lawsuit over the quality of foster care, minority investors in an energy company allege one of the world’s largest hedge funds breached its duties in a rushed $788 million sale, and the Texas Supreme Court clarifies the reach of arbitration provisions.

May 15, 2023 Michelle Casady

Winston Snags Rodney Moore, Sam Peca from Weil

Adding the dealmaking attorneys is part of Winston’s strategy to further bolster its energy-focused ranks.

May 15, 2023 Claire Poole

Another Record for Texas Revenues in 2022

The top 50 firms in Texas corporate law continued to thrive in 2022, generating more than $8 billion for the first time. The Texas Lawbook 50 raked in a record $8.6 billion in 2022 — 7.6 percent more than the prior year.

Thirty-eight of the Lawbook 50 firms scored higher revenues in their Texas offices last year than in 2021. Thirty-five of them achieved record revenues in 2022. Texas corporate law roared to new heights because of strong demand across the board, with work generated by headline events like the Winter Storm Uri litigation, the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act, which spurred a considerable amount of transactional work in the energy industry and a steady flow of M&A activity, including a handful of mega-transactions. The Texas Lawbook has the exclusive data and analysis.

May 15, 2023 Richard Alm & Mark Curriden

Kirkland, Latham Advise on ONEOK’s $18.8B Acquisition of Magellan Midstream

The deal, the largest transaction among publicly traded energy firms so far this year, combines ONEOK’s natural gas liquids business with Magellan’s vast network of refined petroleum pipelines.

May 14, 2023 Allen Pusey

Texas Law Schools Make Jumps in 2024 U.S. News Rankings

U.S. News & World Report had to delay its release of the 2024 rankings after some institutions raised questions about the data. The new list shows the University of Texas at Austin School of Law still leads the state, but Texas A&M University School of Law is rising rapidly.

May 12, 2023 Michelle Casady

P.S. — Boards, Banks & Babies on Doorsteps

In this week’s edition of P.S., Baker Botts receives an award from a longstanding pro bono client, Gray Reed announces a first-of-its-kind firmwide volunteer day, Texas A&M’s board of regents elects a notable chairman and the Texas Access to Justice Foundation announces a new partnership with a bank that will help provide funding for civil legal services to Texans in need. Natalie Posgate has the details.

May 12, 2023 Natalie Posgate

Dallas Judge Orders BMW, Local Counsel to Pay $773K Sanction for Foot-Dragging in ‘Lemon’ SUV Suit

In a scathing order, Dallas County District Judge Eric V. Moyé said BMW and Hedrick Kring Bailey have used “delay, misdirection, and both rejected as well as frivolous arguments to make litigation unfairly difficult and expensive for its opponents.”

May 11, 2023 Bruce Tomaso