For a quarter of a century, Leanne Oliver has been a corporate in-house lawyer for PepsiCo and Frito-Lay. She has been a groundbreaker in developing family leave policies and internal training efforts to eliminate sexual harassment. She’s also a highly successful labor and employment lawyer.
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Brazos Electric Coop Files for Bankruptcy
Last week, Brazos Electric Power Cooperative got a $2 billion bill from ERCOT demanding payment for power supplied during the winter storm that hit Texas two weeks ago. Early this morning, Brazos, the largest generation and transmission cooperative in Texas, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Southern District of Texas citing more than $3 billion in debts.
Former DOJ Environmental Lawyer Rejoins Hicks Thomas
Firm leader John Thomas said Eric Grant will be an “enormous asset” to firm clients as they prepare for the Biden Administration’s energy and environmental efforts.
My Burden of Proof
Black lawyers, doctors, preachers and educators have always been held in high regard in the African American community. People root for us because we represent the infinite possibilities that were once not afforded to those who look like me. This is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. And for me, this burden transcends the courtroom.
CDT Roundup: 9 Deals, 9 Firms, 153 Lawyers, $8.8B
Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse than a raging pandemic. Then comes a major energy grid collapse and water disruptions and a still-raging pandemic. And
on top of all that, it’s really, really cold. But if you’re inclined to feel sorry for yourself consider: You could be Michael Fallquist. That story and last week’s deals.
Polsinelli Dallas MP Brian Bullard, One Year on the Job
As Polsinelli nears its 10-year anniversary in Dallas, The Texas Lawbook caught up with Dallas office managing partner Brian Bullard to reflect on his first year leading the office in what was a truly historic and turbulent first 12 months.
Houston-based RES Involved in Northwest Dam Removal Project
The Houston mitigation firm has agreed to a contract with the Klamath River Renewal Corporation to help with the removal of four dams spanning the river between Oregon and Northern California.
Akin Gump Obtains Employment Win for Cattle Semen Provider
A former Cuban worker for a cattle semen provider has lost an employment discrimination lawsuit in which he alleged his employer treated him worse than younger Brazilian employees at the company. The ruling highlights a less-traveled avenue employers can take to win on summary judgment.
From Grandparents and Quarterbacking: Lessons in Education & Adversity
From both a law firm and corporate perspective, the goal of increasing diversity really should be narrowly focused on diversifying the top of the structure (equity partners, C-suite executives and general counsels) through purposeful hiring, development and retention programs. Even the corporations and law firms at the forefront of diversity and inclusion remain homogenous and white at the top of the structure. The ability to change that is truly 20 to 30 years away but achievable with focused initiatives by current leadership.
2020 DFW General Counsel of the Year Finalists
American Airlines and Chuck E. Cheese. Farmer Brothers and HMS Holdings. Southwest Airlines and Aventiv. The CLOs and GCs at these six North Texas companies utilized their legal acumen and business leadership skills to lead their employers through a monumentally challenging year. They are finalists for the 2020 DFW Outstanding Corporate Counsel Awards.