The Texas deep freeze last year dramatically and graphically illustrates the consequences of the government’s failure to address the state’s energy needs. But the same is happening in other states and across the globe. The much-needed changes resulting from this past winter won’t even be implemented in time for this current winter and, once again, Texans are at the mercy of Mother Nature. This article examines factors that contributed to the Texas electrical grid failure in February 2021 and recommends ways to prepare infrastructure for extreme weather in the era of climate change.
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DBJ: Generational Group Adds Tech Consulting through Recent Acquisition
Over the last few years, Generational has expanded its practice from lower-middle-market mergers and acquisitions to advisory services across life cycles.
DBJ: PE/M&A Lawyers Switch Firms, Talk How to Get Deals Done
Whit Roberts and Jack Jacobsen spoke with the Dallas Business Journal about the M&A landscape and their deal pipelines.
Plaintiffs Lawyers Face Critical Stage in Winter Storm Uri Litigation
For 11 months, hundreds of wrongful-death, personal-injury and property-damage lawsuits seeking billions of dollars in damages related to Winter Storm Uri edged along at a snail’s pace. But a Houston judge appointed to oversee the litigation has put strict new deadlines on the lawyers who suddenly find themselves in the midst of a make-or-break few months that could determine the legitimacy and survival of their lawsuits. The Texas Lawbook has the details.
Food Fight: Texas and Biden Administration Squabble Over Broccoli and Ketchup in a SCOTUS Case
Texas and the Biden administration are often at legal odds with each other. But one dispute in briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court last week takes the cake.
Houston Energy Exec Accused of Fraudulent Kickback Scheme
Federal prosecutors in Houston and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have charged former Pacific Summit Energy President Matthew Clark with operating an illegal scheme involving insider trading of natural gas futures and financial kickbacks. A federal grand jury Thursday indicted Clark on multiple counts of wire fraud, insider trading and making illegal commodities transactions. If convicted, he faces 130 years in federal prison.
Longtime Colleagues Form Heard Merman, a Houston Plaintiffs’ Firm
Denman Heard and Derek Merman have worked side by side on cases across the country. Their new firm, they say, will specialize in catastrophic personal-injury claims.
Paralyzed Airport Worker’s Family Accepts Houston Judge’s Suggested Reduction of $352.7M Judgment
Randy Sorrels, the lawyer for Ulysses Cruz, his wife, and their 2 children, said they’ll consent to the $117.5 million remittitur – but will seek the full jury verdict if the other side appeals.
$15M Investment Fraud Lands Dallas Con Man 17½ Years in Prison
In sentencing 69-year-old Rudy Avila, Chief U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn read the names of his 417 victims and the amount each lost to him.
M&A 2021: A Year Beyond ‘Even the Wildest Expectations’
Texas M&A boomed in Texas in 2021 — in value, in deal count and in ways that bode well for 2022. According to exclusive data from The Texas Lawbook’s Corporate Deal Tracker, each month of 2021 outperformed 2020 year-over-year. There were more deals at basically every level — for $1 million or $1 billion or beyond. Whether in energy or healthcare, construction or infrastructure, technology or transportation, it was a year that rebounded from the pandemic beyond the most optimistic expectations. The Lawbook has the numbers, the tables and the views of deal lawyers across the state of what was, from virtually any perspective, a very remarkable year.