In what comes as no surprise, global M&A activity continued to surge in the first quarter of 2021 – and SPACs and private equity buyouts are some of the key talking points. A little closer to home, Texas dealmakers had a slower week this time around in the latest installment of the Corporate Deal Tracker roundup.
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‘You should start a woman-owned law firm’
More than a dozen years ago, Kimberly Phillips, now GC of litigation at Shell Oil, told Dawn Estes she needed to create her own legal practice. Today, Estes Thorne & Carr is one of the largest women-owned corporate law firms in Texas. How did Estes build such a successful firm in a male-dominated legal world? The Texas Lawbook has the story.
“I don’t know when Dawn sleeps,” Golds Gym GC Shelby Angel said. “She’s extremely responsive and attentive to client needs.”
White & Case Brings On Third Capital Markets Partner from Baker Botts
The new addition includes a promotion and comes two weeks after the firm announced that A.J. Ericksen and Jason Rocha moved their practices to the New York-based firm.
Roku Scores Defense Patent Verdict in WDTX… Again
For those following the patent jury verdicts unfolding in Judge Albright’s court, the game count is now tipping toward defense wins, 2-1. Roku was the latest to score a defense win on Friday, which came after a separate defense win Roku scored in October during Judge Albright’s first patent jury trial. But those aren’t even the most notable facts of the case. Natalie Posgate has the details.
SCOTX Hands Win to Insurers in 19-Year Homeowner Mold Dispute
Friday’s opinion marks the near-end of a 19-year legal battle for Farmers Insurance and its lawyers at Norton Rose Fulbright — featuring two appeals on class certification issues, a mandamus proceeding, a jury trial and now an appeal before the Texas Supreme Court.
Thompson & Knight, Holland & Knight Seeking to Merge
Dallas-headquartered Thompson & Knight and Holland & Knight of Miami are in final negotiations to merge. If the combination is approved, the firm will boast more than 1,600 lawyers and annual revenues in excess of $1.25 billion.
“This proposed combination would expand significantly each firm’s presence in important geographic markets,” Thompson & Knight managing partner Mark Sloan said in a written statement to The Texas Lawbook.
The Texas Lawbook has learned the merger should be finalized this summer.
Baker Botts Joins Special Associate Bonus Bandwagon
Houston-based Baker Botts announced Friday morning that it is the latest in a string of corporate law firms to give associates a special bonus ranging from $12,000 to $64,000.
Efforts to Restructure Texas Appellate Courts Dropped
There will be no restructuring of the Texas appellate courts this year. The state senator who introduced legislation that would dramatically reduce the number of appellate courts has agreed to allow the bill to die in committee… for now.
High-Dollar Trade Secrets Jury Trial Begins in Houston — Updated
TechnipFMC lawyers told jurors Thursday that a former chief engineer, Rick Murphy, went to work for competitor Dril-Quip and stole valuable trade secrets for cutting-edge, ocean floor oil extraction equipment. But defense lawyers challenged that narrative and argued that the trial is just a way for FMC to compete in the courtroom instead of the free market. Natalie Posgate has details from day one of the trial in state Judge R.K. Sandill’s court.
Energy Reports: Producers to Eye More Debt; Hedging, Optimism Increase
Things may be looking up – if only slightly – as producers, lenders, private equity firms and others chime in on the state of borrowing bases and more as part of Haynes and Boone’s semi-annual energy reports.