More Stories

Natural Gas Companies Dismissed from Winter Storm Uri Lawsuits

The Texas judge handling more than 100 personal injury, wrongful death and property damage lawsuits brought by hundreds of plaintiffs against scores of energy companies related to Winter Storm Uri has dismissed the allegations against more than 60 natural gas companies in four of those cases.

Judge Sylvia Matthews ruled Jan. 26 that natural gas companies such as Anadarko, Apache, Comstock, Energy Transfer and XTO will not have to stand trial for any damage or deaths caused by power outages during the four days in February 2021 in which Texas was hit with record cold temperatures and sleet and snow.

February 2, 2023 Mark Curriden

Veteran Dallas Prosecutor Tapped as EDTX U.S. Attorney

If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, as expected, Damien Diggs would be the first Black U.S. attorney in the 166-year-old Eastern District.

February 2, 2023 Bruce Tomaso

Energy Transfer Hit With $42M Jury Verdict

A jury in McMullen County that heard two weeks of testimony determined Energy Transfer’s underground, hydrogen sulfide injection well had interfered with the drilling rights of SilverBow Resources Operating and El Dorado Oil & Gas Inc. The case has a long history, including two trips to the Texas Supreme Court, and saw Houston-based law firms Yetter Coleman and Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing go head-to-head.

February 2, 2023 Michelle Casady

Jury Awards $8.4M In Wrongful Death Case Against Bobcat of Houston

The jury was selected Jan. 18 and began hearing testimony Jan. 19 in the trial that had sought as much as $500 million in wrongful death damages on behalf of the family of Ricardo Garza. The jury deliberated for about seven hours before returning its verdict.

February 1, 2023 Michelle Casady

Texas Supreme Court Weighs Noneconomic Damages Cap

The state’s high court, minus three justices who recused themselves from the case, heard oral arguments Tuesday in a case that’s being closely watched by the insurance industry, economic and trial lawyer interest groups and law professors. The case presents the court with an opportunity to clarify the proper standard of review for noneconomic damages awards.

February 1, 2023 Michelle Casady

Former Texas Appellate Judge Rejoins Dykema

After eight years on the Dallas Court of Appeals, former justice David Schenck is practicing law at his old law firm. In an interview with The Texas Lawbook, Schenck said Dykema was the only firm he seriously considered.

February 1, 2023 Mark Curriden

An Overview of the FTC’s Proposed Rule Banning Noncompete Agreements

The proposed rule seems to be in line with the Biden administration’s executive order issued in 2022 encouraging the FTC to exercise whatever legal authority it has to “curtail the unfair use of non-compete clauses” that “may unfairly limit worker mobility.” Here are some questions and answers about this new proposed rule.

February 1, 2023 Mark A. Shank

3 of 4 Whistleblowers Suing AG Paxton Ask for Abatement

The Texas Supreme Court is considering an opposed motion to hit pause on a whistleblower lawsuit brought by three former top aides to Attorney General Ken Paxton against the Texas AG, accusing him of firing them in retaliation for reporting to the FBI and Texas Rangers that they believed he abused the power of his office to benefit a campaign donor. One of the four whistleblowers isn’t involved in settlement negotiations and wants the lawsuit to proceed now.

January 31, 2023 Michelle Casady

Atlas Technical Agrees to $1.05B Buyout by GI Partners

Kirkland counseled the Austin-based company, which provides infrastructure and environmental solutions to U.S. markets.

January 31, 2023 Claire Poole

Harnessing the Power of Crowdsourced DEI Innovation to Affect Change

Hackathons are a powerful crowdsourcing concept that will not only lead to the creation and implementation of innovative programming, but can help foster a more inclusive corporate culture. At Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, the firm has successfully implemented this concept during the summer associate program since 2020. One of the fruits has been the creation of a new scholarship program for first-generation law students.

January 31, 2023 Rudene Mercer Haynes & Amber M. Rogers