Stephanie Hockridge, a former local news anchor in Phoenix, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor of Fort Worth for her role in what prosecutors called a vast fraud based on phony applications for loans under the Covid-era Payroll Protection Program. Her husband, Nathan Reis, pleaded guilty in August for his role in the scam.
More Stories
Lynn Pinker Wins Trade Secrets Case in Eastern District of Texas
A jury found Signature Systems Group had committed breach of contract and misappropriated the trade secrets of Spartan Composites, a company that manufactures industrial mats used at construction sites. Following a few hours of deliberation, the jury awarded the requested damages along with punitive damages.
P.S. — White & Case Partner: Pro Bono Veterans Wills, Estate Services Have ‘Very Tangible Personal Impact’
This edition of P.S. is packed with inspirational words from Texas lawyers who are pushing pro bono and public service work forward. Take Galderma’s Devon Sharp, for example. In her acceptance remarks at the Texas General Counsel Forum Magna Stella Awards dinner, she urged fellow attorneys to meet the moment and serve their respective communities. “We are living in a world and country and state where, increasingly, those who live on the margins are being further marginalized,” she said. “The gap between privilege and need is widening and too many are being left behind.” White & Case Houston partner Taylor Pullins also offered a meaningful reminder of the personal nature of wills and estate planning for veterans in contrast to the transaction-heavy matters that dominate much of his big-law practice. And in Houston, Gibson Dunn is revolutionizing its pro bono culture with an annual tradition that pairs new associates with pro bono cases. We hope this Column leaves you inspired.
Houston Appellate Court Won’t DQ AZA as Transocean Defense Counsel
In a five-sentence per curiam opinion issued Thursday morning, the First Court of Appeals in Houston declined to disturb rulings from a trial judge that allowed the law firm Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing to continue its defense of Transocean in multidistrict litigation stemming from offshore workers’ injuries. Lawyers from Arnold & Itkin, representing the plaintiffs, had argued the move was required and told The Texas Lawbook Thursday they are considering all options as it relates to a possible appeal.
Texas Emerges as a Leading Force in State Privacy Law Enforcement
Over the past two years, Texas has emerged as a leader in the U.S. state privacy regulatory landscape. The state’s attorney general has launched a broad privacy enforcement initiative, secured notable settlements and filed lawsuits against major players across industries ranging from social media to insurance. With new privacy laws that have come into effect in 2024 and 2025 and a steady stream of enforcement activity, Texas has established itself as a state that businesses must pay close attention to when evaluating compliance obligations.
Haynes Boone Duo Wins $973K Pro Bono Fraud Verdict in Trial Debut
Haynes Boone associates Ashley Koos and Sean Lewis secured a $973,000 pro bono verdict for gospel singer and minister Wintley Phipps in their first-ever trial, convincing a Harris County jury that a longtime acquaintance and former business partner defrauded Phipps. Their performance, firm leaders say, reflects both the professional development the academy is designed to foster and the essential role pro bono cases play in giving young attorneys real courtroom experience while expanding access to justice.
Asked & Answered with Susman Godfrey’s Justin Nelson: Try Your Best, Be Polite and Do Justice
In this edition of Asked & Answered, Susman Godfrey partner Justin Nelson talks about settlements against Fox News and the AI company Anthropic, along with where he sees AI regulation headed. Nelson also discusses lessons learned in his career from clerking for U.S Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to running for Texas attorney general.
The 40-Year Legacy of Pennzoil v. Texaco — An Appeal for the Ages
Executives at Texaco woke up Nov. 20 — exactly 40 years ago today — like it was the morning after aliens attacked in the movie Independence Day. A day earlier, a Houston jury ruled the New York-based oil and gas giant had tortiously interfered with a 1984 agreement Getty Oil made to merge with Pennzoil and awarded Pennzoil $10.53 billion. Texaco’s stock took a beating — dropping from $80 per share when the litigation started to $32 the week following the trial. Some Wall Street analysts were openly warning about bankruptcy. The company’s convertible bonds plummeted in value. Texaco’s debt rating was cut by Standard & Poor’s. Interest accruing on the judgment was $2.8 million every single day.
Between Thanksgiving 1985 and Christmas 1987, the two energy companies and their ever-expanding roster of litigators did battle. The litigation itself multiplied, including a precedent-setting federal case in New York over Texaco’s appeals bond, a monumental appellate battle, a bizarre decision by the Texas Supreme Court, the world’s largest corporate bankruptcy at the time and a historic settlement.
Both sides hired major reinforcements — fresh legs and fresh eyes, if you will — as the trial teams had been going full speed for 21 straight months. The appeals team for Texaco beefed up with several heavy hitters from Fulbright & Jaworski and David Boies of Cravath in New York. Pennzoil added a Texas superstar in V&E’s Harry Reasoner and Laurence Tribe of Harvard Law School.
In Part II of our series looking back at the significance of the Pennzoil v. Texaco trial, The Lawbook examines the post-verdict appeals, which were historic and precedent-setting.
Reid Collins Secures $112.3M Verdict for Aluminum Company in Insurance Case
After a five-day trial, a South Carolina jury found insurance companies had breached their obligations after an incident at an aluminum plant resulted in property damage. A team from Austin-based Reid Collins & Tsai represented the plaintiff.
Stars Hit Back in Fight With Mavericks
After filings this week, the fight between the ownership groups of the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks will play out in Delaware bankruptcy court and in the Texas Business Court. The Stars, represented by Winstead, have hired a team of lawyers from Blank Rome to aid in the bankruptcy proceeding. The Mavericks are represented by Jackson Walker.