David Tobin, who is made a partner with the move, is the 13th lawyer to leave Baker Botts for McDermott Will & Emery this year.
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P.S. — An Anti-Bullying Grant, Awards Season Frenzy, A Thank-you Note
In this week’s P.S. column, we highlight a slew of attorneys and law firms awarded for their pro bono efforts, some recent nonprofit board appointments, an upcoming CLE featuring pro bono veterans in the industry (with ethics credit), and a significant grant awarded to a San Antonio-based project that supports children and their families impacted by bullying.
Long-running Legal Malpractice Suit Again Revived
The Fourth Court of Appeals said the case should not have been dismissed last year for want of prosecution at a time when civil jury trials were not available in Kerr County. The case involves Utopia lawyer Patricia Skelton’s claim against her criminal defense lawyer, which previously survived a dismissal when the Texas Supreme Court allowed Skelton to prove her innocence in the malpractice case.
At HPE, Pro Bono is ‘A Bedrock Principle’
For the 250-member legal team at Hewlett Packard Enterprises, pro bono is in their DNA. The corporate lawyers worked with Baker McKenzie and Texas Appleseed to update a legal handbook for homeless teenagers, helped veterans draft wills, worked with victims of domestic violence, assisted immigrant youth in obtaining DACA status and launched a Texas Virtual Legal Clinic for Youth. Citing HPE’s extraordinary successes, the Texas General Counsel Forum is honoring the Houston technology company with the 2022 Magna Stella Award for Outstanding Pro Bono.
How Mary Kay Maintains its Roots in DEI
Sixty percent of the people in Mary Kay’s legal department are persons of color. Eighty percent are women. Forty percent speak more than one language. Nearly six decades after the Addison-based company was founded, the cosmetic giant remains a model of diversity and inclusion. The Texas General Counsel Forum is honoring Mary Kay GC Julia Simon and senior managing counsel Naisha Covarrubias with the Magna Stella Award for Outstanding Diversity.
Sidley, White & Case Counsel on Ensign Natural Resources’ $3B Sale to Marathon Oil
With the acquisition Marathon will double its presence in the Eagle Ford Shale to become one of the top producers in the basin. The company anticipates a post-close dividend raise of 11 percent. Claire Poole reports.
Kirkland, Eversheds, Paul Hastings, Latham Advise on $1.8B ESG Acquisition of 1.7M acres of Sustainable Forestlands
The deal would make Blue Source Sustainable Forests Company — a joint venture with Oak Hill Advisors — the seventh largest private owner of forestlands in the nation. The Lawbook has the names of the Texas lawyers involved in the ground-breaking ESG deal.
Worker’s Electrocution Blamed on Multiple Failures at West Texas Midstream Plant
In opening statements in state court in Dallas, lawyers for the family of Gabriel Vela say EnLink Midstream cut corners in its rush to expand the plant. Defense lawyers say Vela’s actions led to his death.
Dallas Minority Bar Orgs Launch New Job Board
Finding diverse job candidates in Dallas just got easier for firms. Six minority bar organizations have launched the Dallas Legal Equity and Diversity job board, a diversity and inclusion-focused job site. Natalie Posgate reports on how it came together and how employers and diverse attorney candidates can begin connecting on the platform.
PTAB Invalidates Oil & Gas Patent at Heart of Multiple Infringement Suits
A team from Alavi Anaipakos successfully represented oil field products manufacturer G&H in a post-grant review challenge before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. The ruling could impact nearly a dozen patent infringement lawsuits pending against other manufacturers.