This week’s edition of P.S. features a Houston law firm’s six-figure award to a nonprofit dedicated to fair debt collection and responsible lending practices, May dates (and sponsor information) for the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program’s free legal clinics, the upcoming launch of one of the state’s first virtual court kiosks and an update on a Houston Bar Foundation-affiliated pro bono award previously reported on that involves a group of six first-year associates.
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SCOTX Sides with Point Energy in Drilling Deadline Dispute
The Texas Supreme Court rejected MRC Permian’s attempt to invoke a contract’s force majeure clause when it missed a deadline to drill a new well. MRC pointed to a well collapse at a different side for the delay, while Point Energy said MRC simply miscalculated the deadline.
From Boom with Little Hiring To Boom with a Lot More Hiring
From 2010 to 2018, the Texas economy boomed and dozens of national law firms opened offices in the state. But the total number of corporate lawyers working at the firms stayed flat. In 2019, that changed. The 50 largest corporate firms in Texas have grown lawyer count in record numbers the past four years, including in 2022. While Big Law has returned to pre-pandemic scrutiny of underperforming attorneys, most of the larger firms are still planning for record-sized summer associate classes and fall hiring of first-year lawyers.
Q&A with Willkie’s Tan Lu
The Lawbook caught up with Lu about his move to Willkie from V&E earlier this year, the emerging trends he is paying attention to and the “fuel that keeps [his] fire burning” as a deal lawyer.
Blazing a Trail for Women in STEM — and the Law
There is undeniable momentum for women attorneys, which is good news, indeed. Instead of one token female at counsel’s table, there are women in numbers on both sides of the aisle. But there is still a ways to go, particularly in intellectual property law, where my engineering background and gender still make me something of a rarity.
Dallas Jury Hits Oncor With $44M Verdict in Power Line Injury Case
Oncor has maintained that James Stacey Taylor’s claims are barred because of his “contributory negligence” and that it enjoys statutory indemnity for any liability under state law. Taylor’s attorney, Sean Breen of Howry Breen & Herman, told The Lawbook he presented the case to the jury as a tragic accident that wouldn’t have happened but for Oncor’s practice of “putting profits over safety.”
Backlash to Business Court Bill Unites Litigators from Both Sides of the Docket
A rare alliance between groups representing trial lawyers and defense counsel is raising constitutional questions and other concerns about legislation that would create a new system of trial and appellate courts for high-dollar business disputes. House Bill 19 appears on track for House floor debate as soon as next week.
In Texas, Firms Add Corporate Lawyers at Near-Record Pace
The 50 largest corporate law firms operating in Texas continued to add new lawyers at a near-record pace in 2022, according to the new Texas Lawbook 50 headcount rankings. The top 50 firms now employ nearly 8,000 lawyers in their Texas offices. The only year when the 50 law firms added more attorneys was 2021. More than two-thirds of law firms grew their lawyer headcount in 2022. The out-of-state firms expanded the most, especially firms founded in California. Three perennial top Lawbook 50 firms dropped off the list, replaced by firms growing faster. There are now only 20 Texas-based firms in the top 50.
Both Sides Claim $1.75M Settlement of Collin County DA Suit a Win
The settlement brings an end to a federal lawsuit lodged by six former employees of the office in November. Additional terms of the settlement requires three plaintiffs who still were employed by the DA’s office to resign and bars all plaintiffs from seeking future employment with the county. Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis and First Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye remain in their positions.
Time for Action: Add These Items to Your Commercial Lease in 2023
All too often commercial tenants accept their lease agreements freely and without any objections. However, a one-time review of the lease can lead to years of savings.