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In Texas Business Court’s First Jury Trial, Litigants Overcame a Flood and Five Courtroom Changes

At 7:04 a.m. Feb. 11, about two-and-a-half hours before testimony was set to resume in the first jury trial in the Texas Business Court, Judge Sofia Adrogué received a text message from a bailiff. 

“Good morning Judge,” Deputy James Williams’ text began. “Hate to bring you bad news this morning. …”

The trial, intended to showcase the new court, suddenly became an exercise in crisis management. This is the behind-the-scenes story of the court’s inaugural jury trial that was filled with other unexpected firsts. 

Asked & Answered with Hilgers’ David Sillers: Defamation, AI & Asylum

In this edition of Asked & Answered, Hilgers partner David Sillers talks about his First Amendment practice and shares his most memorable moments in his career so far. Sillers recently joined the firm and reunited with managing partner Grant Schmidt and partner Cynthia Schmidt, whom he met while clerking alongside them for former U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn.

Judge: Plano Surgeon Sentenced to 8.5 Years ‘More Involved’ Than Admitted in $196 Million Scam

A federal judge sentenced a Plano orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Michael Taba, to 8.5 years in prison for his role in one of the biggest healthcare fraud cases in Texas history that prosecutors said bilked the U.S. government out of nearly $200 million through unnecessary compound drug prescriptions.

U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay handed down the sentence on Tuesday in Dallas after a jury convicted Taba more than two years ago of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and three counts of aiding and abetting healthcare fraud.

Litigation Roundup: Exxon Gets SCOTUS Review in Climate Change Litigation

In this edition of Litigation Roundup, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday granted a petition for writ of certiorari that Exxon Mobil and Suncor filed more than six months ago that could have a major impact on climate-change litigation the oil companies are facing nationwide. We also provide details on a San Antonio investment company executive who copped to a nearly $70 million Ponzi scheme and a wrongful death lawsuit against Valero stemming from a refinery fire.

Families of 9 Who Died in July 4 Camp Mystic Flood Sue DSHS

The families of nine Camp Mystic campers and counselors who died in the July 4 flood last summer filed a lawsuit Monday morning in the Western District of Texas against the Texas Department of State Health Services, claiming the agency should not have approved the camp’s license. The camp’s license expires next week, and it has announced it will reopen this summer.

Axip Energy Hires V&E to Lead Chapter 11

The Houston-headquartered natural gas compression company that focuses primarily in the Permian Basin states in court documents that it has $240 million in liabilities, but that it has agreed to divest most of its assets to Service Compression of Fort Worth.

New DOJ Rule Makes Immigration Judge Decisions Final in Most Cases

A significant regulatory change by the U.S. Department of Justice is quietly reshaping how immigration decisions become final within the nation’s removal adjudication system. Under a new rule, most appeals from immigration judge decisions to the Board of Immigration Appeals will no longer receive routine appellate review. The rule has immediate relevance for Texas practitioners, courts, and policymakers.

‘Are You Kidding?’: Ex-Prosecutor Defends 81-Year-Old Former Doctor in Tossed Kickback Case

Katten’s Brandon N. McCarthy said he was perplexed when his client, retired Dr. David Wolf of Houston, was indicted on an alleged kickback scheme that was ultimately dismissed against 10 doctors.

“This was perplexing as my client was 81 years old and had retired from medicine over half a decade ago,” McCarthy said. “He had a 50-year career as a doctor with a perfect record. No medical board issues. No criminal record. My first thought was, ‘What in the world are they doing?’”

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