In this edition of Litigation Roundup, a Houston appellate court parses who owes a duty of care in a wrongful death lawsuit involving a crash allegedly caused by a driver who was engaging in phone sex, and investigators with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Fort Worth regional office reach a deal to end claims a Dallas-based real estate investment company president was lying to investors.
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AI as a Force Multiplier for Appellate Practice: A Step-by-Step Guide
Careful AI use enhances both written and oral advocacy while creating opportunities for meaningful, impressive efficiency gains. The technology was breathtaking when I ran my first AI query and has rapidly improved since. Here are some practical lessons I have learned that are aimed at appellate practitioners but applicable to any litigation practice.
Sarah Ridel Returning to Skadden
After more than three years on the client-side with Pattern Energy, a Houston alternative energy provider, Sarah Ridel has agreed to join Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, the firm with where she began her career.
CDT Roundup: Late Arrivals Steal the Show
For the week ended June 6, there were 14 deals reported to CDT Roundup with a combined disclosed value of about $9.5 billion.
That said, you might take note of the overabundance of material covered in our Late Arrivals and Other Matters section, as well as other deals in this week’s edition.
P.S. — Former Reed Smith Counsel Efrain Vera Named Director of Brewer Storefront
In this edition of P.S., Kirkland & Ellis partner Michael Considine is calling on the legal community to give blood at the second annual Knock Out the Need Blood Drive taking place June 15-16. We also feature Efrain Vera, who recently jumped from Reed Smith to become the director of the pro bono affiliate of Brewer Attorneys & Counselors.
Houston Corporate Counsel Awards Recap
The May 28 awards ceremony took on an extra energy because two of the award recipients — Fertitta Entertainment General Counsel Steven Scheinthal and ExxonMobil Senior Counsel David Kern — were in the news that very day for two huge successes for their clients.
“What an extraordinary event this is every year,” said Travis Torrence, who is U.S. head of legal for global energy giant Shell. “The Texas Lawbook and ACC Houston make this one of the must-attend events for the legal industry in Texas.”
Business Court Passes on Challenge to Its Own Constitutionality
After a highly successful, productive and largely uncontroversial first 18 months, the burgeoning Texas Business Court recently faced its first constitutional challenge. This article analyzes the plaintiff’s arguments and considers what will happen if the question ever reaches the Texas Supreme Court.
Asked & Answered with Justice Rosa Lopez Theofanis: From Pet Peeves to Surprises on the Bench
In this edition of Asked & Answered, Third Court of Appeals Justice Rosa Lopez Theofanis shares how she sees AI impacting the appellate process and dishes on what lawyers practicing before her shouldn’t do. Justice Theofanis, who is the first sitting judge to participate in Asked & Answered, joined the all-female panel in January 2023.
Jury Trial Begins in Dispute Over Property Next to Mavericks New Home
A jury trial began in Dallas County Judge Maria Aceves’ courtroom Wednesday in a breach of contract and fiduciary duty case over two men whose business partnership soured. The property at the center of the suit was once an LA Fitness next to the old Valley View mall, which the Dallas Mavericks have announced will be their new arena and an entertainment district.
Indiana Pharma Research Company Files Chapter 11 in Houston
The analytical drug discovery and development services and research company Inotiv and 18 of its affiliated entities filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday in the Southern District of Texas.
Inotiv, which cites $500 million to $1 billion in both liabilities and assets, hired Ropes & Gray and Hunton Andrews Kurth as its lead legal advisors.