While recent commodity prices might suggest a favorable climate for M&A energy transactions, they aren’t really happening. O&G deals were down in value by 41 percent during the first quarter of 2022. Deals worth $1 billion or more were down nearly 60 percent, according to GlobalData. The CDT Roundup spells out details, along with names of the lawyers behind last week’s transactions.
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Dallas Company’s Patent-Infringement Suit Against Twitter Moving Toward Trial
U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey, reversing a decision he made in 2016, refuses to dismiss the suit over what the plaintiff, VidStream, says is at least $600 million in unpaid patent royalties.
Nationwide Permit 12 in the Crosshairs (Again), and Texas Energy and Infrastructure Projects Hang in the Balance
The Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned electric companies, recently warned that environmentalists’ challenge to a Clean Water Act dredge-and-fill general permit for oil and gas pipelines is not just a threat to efficient permitting for those projects but could hinder the validity of similar permits for other sectors.
The court’s holding in the underlying case challenging the nationwide permit has the potential to significantly impact energy sector projects in Texas.
Q&A: Travis Torrence
Premium-Only Content: Travis Torrence discusses his career mentors, what he looks for in hiring outside counsel and how law firms can improve retaining diverse talent.
Shell’s Travis Torrence ‘Brings His Authentic Self to the Table’
Travis Torrence was in high school when his aunt, a school teacher-turned-political activist, sued her local government under the Voting Rights Act challenging the “at-large” election system. “She won,” Torrence said. “That was the first time I noticed the law being used to effectuate societal change — change that for that community was historic. I remember thinking that the law was the key to justice, fairness, equity and equality.”
Torrence, the great-great grandson of a slave who is now the leader of Shell USA’s global litigation bankruptcy and credit team, fearlessly tackles diversity, equity and inclusion. He is a pioneer on issues of the diversity pipeline and programs that support the LGBTQ community. The Association of Corporate Counsel’s Houston Chapter and The Texas Lawbook named Torrence as one of two finalists for the 2022 Houston Corporate Counsel Award for Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion.
Willkie Reinforces Houston PE Depth
On a day the firm also saw a partner leave for Gibson Dunn, Willkie added a Houston partner who has served as general counsel for two different private equity firms.
Ten Business and Tax Issues for Businesses Moving to Texas
Businesses and workers are moving to Texas in droves. This article outlines the unique state and local tax environment into which they are venturing.
Q&A: Dona Cornell
Premium-Only Content: Dona Cornell talks about her best day on the job and what she looks for in the next generation of lawyers.
University of Houston System GC Dona Cornell is a ‘Force and Trailblazer’
Dona Cornell took the GC job at the University of Houston System in 2002 because she thought it would be a slower pace. “I was so wrong,” Cornell said. “It is more like being in trial all the time.” Twenty years later, Cornell is still the chief legal officer for the university system, which has an annual budget of more than $1.8 billion, more than 10,000 employees and 77,000 students. She and her legal team confront groundbreaking issues, including the university’s invitation to join the Big 12 Conference, significant changes to higher education law including Title IX and how to handle classes during the pandemic.
The Association of Corporate Counsel’s Houston Chapter and The Texas Lawbook award the 2022 Houston Corporate Counsel Award for General Counsel of the Year for a Nonprofit/Public Institution to University of Houston System General Counsel Dona Hamilton Cornell.
Gibson Dunn Adds Another PE Partner from Willkie
After only 16 months at Willkie, Jesse Myers has moved to Gibson Dunn. He joins former Willkie colleague, Michael De Voe Piazza, who made the move to Gibson in March. He also joins a cadre of transactional partners who have left Willkie in the past several months. Claire Poole has the details.