Nearly half of those summoned fail to show, leaving courts scrambling to meet a backlog of jury trials, a Texas judicial system official tells a legislative committee. The committee chair vows to elevate policies next session to promote jury service.
More Stories
Q3 M&A in Texas: A Meh Meal
Q3 M&A was a middling experience for dealmakers — in almost every respect. There were highlights, but not enough of them. Allen Pusey has the numbers. The good news: it could have been worse. In fact, it has been.
Continental Resources Accepts Hamm’s Sweetened Bid to Take Company Private
The deal, valued at $4.3 billion, represents a 6 percent premium over the original offer reported in June. Closing is expected by the end of the fourth quarter and The Lawbook has the names of Texas lawyers involved.
Biden Nominates Three for U.S. Attorney Slots in Texas
Long-awaited nominations are in to lead prosecutions for the Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas. Two of the nominees are veteran federal prosecutors; the third was El Paso’s DA for 27 years. Still to come: a nominee as U.S. attorney in the Eastern District. Bruce Tomaso has the details.
Full Fifth Circuit Will Rehear Dallas Jailers’ Discrimination Suit
In an order issued Wednesday, the court vacated a panel’s Aug. 3 ruling that ended the lawsuit and set the case for rehearing before the entire court. The three-judge panel that issued the original ruling siding with Dallas County called for en banc review in the opinion, lamenting that court precedent mandated dismissal of the suit challenging a gender-based scheduling policy.
Texas Grape Growers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Pick Sides in Crop Damage Case
The Texas Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Oct. 26 in the case that asks it to decide whether a group of cotton farmers suing Helena Chemical Co. for crop damage allegedly caused by the aerial application of an herbicide have presented enough evidence to survive a no-evidence motion for summary judgment. In amicus briefs recently filed, the Chamber and the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association each warned the court of dire consequences that could flow from its ruling.
$158M Healthcare Fraud Trial Starts in Dallas Next Week
Long delayed by COVID, the trial involves what federal authorities say is a $158 million scam by doctors and pharmacies to bill a government workers’ insurance program for fraudulent, ultra-costly prescriptions.
Lessons from Mis Abuelos
Mis abuelos taught me life lessons — on work ethic, marriage and faith, among others — that have made me realize that I have a responsibility to not just pursue the practice of law with excellence, but also to be role models in our families, workplaces and communities.
Diamondback Expands in Midland Basin with $1.6B Acquisition from FireBird
With the deal for cash and stock, Midland-based Diamondback expects to increase productive assets by 68,000 acres and 17 million barrels per day in their “backyard.” The Lawbook has details, including the firms and many of the lawyers involved.
Sherman Murder Defendant Loses Effort to Overturn His Death Penalty in Racially Tinged Prosecution
The U.S. Supreme Court denied review — and habeas relief — for the killer in a notorious 2004 Sherman case who murdered his estranged wife, turning down his argument that he was denied effective assistance of counsel after his trial counsel failed to strike any of three jurors who stated religious objections to interracial marriage or mixed-race children. The habeas corpus effort lingered on the Supreme Court’s docket for more than a year from when it was filed in September 2021 and drew amicus support by leading Texas jurists and ex-PepsiCo general counsel and former deputy U.S. attorney general Larry Thompson.