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Fifth Circuit Nominee Irma Ramirez ‘Devoted to Following the Law’

Irma Jean Carillo was 15 and a sophomore in high school in rural West Texas when she started thinking about becoming a lawyer.

“I refused to take home economics. I took speech and debate instead,” she told the Dallas Bar Association in 2022. “The idea of extemporaneously speaking and debating and getting to argue with the teacher was so much fun. Doing the research and making sure that we prepared the arguments. It was so much fun.”

Four decades later, Irma Carillo Ramirez is a U.S. magistrate in Dallas and likely to soon be the first Hispanic woman to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

SCOTX Adopts Broad Rule on Intent to Arbitrate

The Texas Supreme Court decides a closely watched business case by finding that adoption of American Arbitration Association rules in oil and gas leases shows “clear and unmistakable” evidence of intent to arbitrate. A dissenting justice says the ruling will strip courts of power to decide whether a particular dispute falls outside the scope of an agreement to arbitrate.

Prominent Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Gets the Hollywood Treatment

A new five-part Showtime series about the criminal trial of the Branch Davidians who survived the siege in Waco 30 years ago begins streaming today. Houston defense attorney Dan Cogdell, who won an acquittal for his client Clive Doyle, is played by the actor Giovanni Ribisi. The Texas Lawbook had a chance to chat with Cogdell about both experiences,the real and the cinematic.

NDTX Magistrate Irma Ramirez Nominated to Fifth Circuit

A former federal prosecutor in Dallas, Judge Ramirez has served as a federal magistrate in the Northern District of Texas since 2002. In 2016, she was nominated to a NDTX judgeship with the support of both Texas senators, but never received a vote by the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate.

P.S. — Pro Bono Asylum, Women’s Advocacy and an Impromptu Nonprofit Spotlight

This week’s edition of P.S. features a follow-up on a screening event that seeks to raise awareness and funds for refugees and earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria, a spotlight of a nonprofit that advocates for the constitutional rights of Muslim Americans and two upcoming awards events that predominantly honor women lawyers who have made a mark in the legal profession and advocate for other women. Firms featured include Akin, Carrington Coleman, Sidley, Jones Day and more.

Judge Barbara Lynn to Take Senior Status

U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn, who served as chief judge of the Northern District of Texas from 2016 to 2022, has informed President Joe Biden that she is taking senior status effective May 15.

Judge Lynn, who was nominated to the federal bench in 1999 by President Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a voice vote, told The Texas Lawbook that she has no plans to reduce her caseload but is “simply making room for another appointment for our court.”

Houston City Attorney Arturo Michel: ‘Do More with Less’

The son of Mexican immigrants, Arturo Michel grew up in Chicago, earned a degree from University of Michigan Law School, worked in San Antonio for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and then moved to Houston to work at Bracewell in its public law group for 18 years. Michel is now in his second tour as Houston City Attorney. The Texas Lawbook interviewed Michel about his biggest challenges, the current legislative session and what he seeks in outside counsel.

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