The family of Nevaeh Hall sued the dentist, Bethaniel Jefferson, reaching a settlement with her insurer prior to trial, and also sued a pharmacist Charlotte M. Smith Brown, alleging she told Jefferson to administer an incorrect medication to Hall during the medical emergency. Brown drew Jefferson back into the lawsuit as a potentially liable party, and jurors found the dentist 100 percent liable for the injuries.
More Stories
Does Adoption of AAA Rules Show Parties Wanted Arbitration? SCOTX Hears Arguments
Lawyers on opposing sides in a $41 million dispute over offshore drilling differ on the need for a new rule defining the meaning of standard arbitration rules in a contract on the gateway issue of arbitrability. Courts of appeals have split on the issue.
Talos Energy Acquires EnVen Energy for $1.1B
The cash-and-stock deal doubles the Talos presence in the Gulf of Mexico, adding 40% in production and substantial deepwater infrastructure in its current operational areas. Vinson & Elkins was involved, along with Gibson Dunn. The Lawbook has the names of the lawyers who advised.
Austin Jury Hits Meta with $174M Patent Infringement Verdict
A federal jury in Austin slapped Facebook and Instagram and its parent, Meta Platforms with a $174.5 million verdict Wednesday, finding that the social media giant infringed on patented technology developed by messaging app maker Voxer. The case is a win for law firms Quinn Emanual and Mann Tindel Thompson.
Texas Supreme Court Considers Walmart’s Bid to Revive $4M Xerox Suit
During oral arguments before the Texas Supreme Court Wednesday, Justice Jimmy Blacklock expressed some hesitation about the ramifications of adopting an argument from Walmart that it is a third-party beneficiary of a contract between the government and Xerox over the administration of a food-assistance program for low-income individuals.
Q&A with Devika Kornbacher: “Law helps you solve problems, engineering helps you build solutions”
The Texas Lawbook caught up with Devika Kornbacher last month when she left V&E after 15 years to join Clifford Chance as co-chair of the firm’s global technology group. In this interview, she talks about her upbringing, her time in the ministry and engineering, what inspired her to be a lawyer, what her mentor taught her and what she plans to accomplish at her new firm.
Dallas Judge Reduces $7.3 Billion Award in Murder of 83-Year-Old Charter Spectrum Customer
In his four-page judgment, Judge Juan Renteria stated that the plaintiffs “voluntarily remitted a substantial amount of the exemplary damages.”
With a Decision that May Lead to New Law, SCOTX Grapples with Two Cases in Which Ph.D. Revocations are Threatened
Texas Supreme Court justices give no hint whether the universities’ implied-powers argument can justify their efforts to rescind doctoral degrees awarded to former graduates for “academic misconduct.” In Texas, such revocation power has never been determined by reported appellate decisions and only a few revocations have been noted nationwide. The grads argue the universities have no express authority to do so. The AG says the power is implied from an express power to grant degrees. Behind that argument, due-process concerns linger in both cases.
DBJ: Centene Corp. Reaches $165.6M Settlement with Texas Over Pharmacy Benefit Practices
The 24-page Texas agreement is the latest in which Centene has agreed to pay millions of dollars to resolve claims that its subsidiaries overcharged state Medicaid programs for pharmacy benefit management services.
CDT Roundup: 21 Deals, 12 Firms, 320 Lawyers, $8.3B
A whopping 320 lawyers worked on deals reported during the last week. Among them was Justin Stolte who, along with other Latham lawyers has been on a roll of late. The CDT Roundup features a couple of his recent deals, along with a cinematic sweep of lawyers who advised during what turned out to be a very busy week.