Dick Sayles announced Friday that he has departed Bradley Arant to start The Sayles Law Firm with a unique business strategy: He is not seeking any new clients. He is hiring no additional lawyers. And his business plan calls for no future growth or expansion. Instead, Sayles, who has taken more than 150 complex commercial litigation disputes to trial, plans to use his independent status to work with lawyers at other firms, including Bradley Arant, who are involved in high-stakes courtroom battles. The Texas Lawbook has an exclusive interview.
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Legislature Makes Seismic Shifts on Civil Courts
Lawmakers upended the state’s system of elected district court judges and regional intermediate appellate courts as business interests won a new court system for complex business disputes. The 2023 legislature rejected efforts to cut local governments out of public nuisance suits and weaken the state’s anti-SLAPP statute.
Houston Heavyweights Hardin and DeGuerin to Lead Paxton Impeachment Case
At a Capitol news conference, the two lawyers said they were stunned by the evidence against the suspended attorney general. “It’s 10 times worse than what has been public,” Hardin said.
PureWest Energy Closes Merger with Family Offices, Financial Institutions for $1.84B
Members of buying consortium included A.G. Hill Partners, Cain Capital, Eaglebine Capital Partners, Fortress Investment Group, HF Capital, Petro-Hunt and Wincoram Asset Management.
A Word With New HVL Executive Director Jessica Howton Stool
Jessica Howton Stool is nearly six weeks into her new job as executive director of Houston Volunteer Lawyers — the pro bono arm of the Houston Bar Association. Between tasks of her onboarding process, which have included acquainting herself with HVL’s staff, budget, and grant system, Howton Stool talked with The Lawbook’s Natalie Posgate about her passion for pro bono law, what attracted her to HVL, which area of law HVL needs the most lawyer volunteers for currently and what law firms can do to improve their pro bono capabilities.
Judge Starr’s AI Order Draws Praise
U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr could be the first in the nation to issue a standing order governing the use of artificial intelligence in his courtroom. Texas attorneys who spoke to The Lawbook about the order praised the move as a needed reminder of a lawyer’s professional obligations.
Texas’s Top Bar Scorers Share Tips and Inspiration
The top three scorers of the February Texas bar exam include an associate at a Dallas litigation boutique, an incoming corporate associate at Holland & Knight and a mother of six who felt compelled to help with unaccompanied minor cases at the immigration nonprofit she volunteers with.
Amici Take Sides in $1.6B IBM, BMC Appeal
Six amicus briefs have been filed with the Fifth Circuit in the case where IBM is trying to undo a $1.6 billion judgment entered against it after a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Gray Miller. BMC had filed a cross appeal in the lawsuit but dropped that fight in April to “simplify and shorten the proceedings.”
Texas Business Court Poised to Usher in New Era of High Stakes Commercial Litigation
The Texas business litigation bar is abuzz with anticipation as the Texas business court bill from 2023 heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for signature. Arguably the most transformative change to the Texas judiciary since tort reform, the bill has potential to reshape the way businesses in Texas resolve complex disputes. Despite many open questions, the bill, which would require the business court to begin hearing qualifying cases beginning on Sept. 1, 2024, stands to impact business litigation in Texas sooner than later.
Litigation Roundup: Texas Agrees to $425M in Settlements, Jerry Jones Hires Jackson Walker for Defamation Defense
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, Jerry Jones hires a Jackson Walker First Amendment pro to defend him in a defamation suit, Texas reaches multimillion-dollar settlements with Audi, Volkswagen and Walgreens and a chemical company lost a bid on appeal to saddle an insurer with a $16 million bill after paying fraudulent invoices.