As the year nears its end and oil prices begin to settle against the demand-threat posed by Omicron, it’s a good time to point up the most obvious change in energy deals: a surge in equity investment in renewables and energy transition technologies. The change is real and, according to a new report from Vinson & Elkins, even O&G giants are acknowledging it. That report, and last week’s transactions are all in this week’s slightly tardy CDT Roundup.
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Fifth Circuit Backs DOJ in Walmart Appeal of East Texas Case
A three-judge panel Wednesday unanimously affirmed an EDTX decision dismissing a case brought by Walmart challenging a federal investigation into widespread irregularities in the distribution of opioids through Walmart pharmacies in Texas and other states. Litigation writer Natalie Posgate has details.
Hilton Settles $44M Houston Sex Assault Case
Just weeks after a Harris County jury held Hilton 90% liable in the sexual assault of a Cleveland woman, the hotel chain settled with the victim for an undisclosed sum. By settling, experts say, Hilton is hoping the horrific details presented in court will “quietly go away.”
Paul Coggins’ Client, Alone, Acquitted in $28M Medicare Fraud
A federal jury in Texarkana found Dr. Ray W. Ng, a podiatrist with clinics in Allen and Terrell, not guilty of taking part in a multi-state bribery and kickback scam involving referrals to genetic-testing labs.
Charlie San Miguel Does Billion-dollar Deals for Enterprise Products, GC of Texas Monthly
Only a year out of college, Charlie San Miguel was hit with a frivolous lawsuit by his former employer because he went to work at a competitor. He made $9 an hour but still had to hire a lawyer. The experience was painful but it also gave him the idea to go to law school. Today, San Miguel is now the VP of legal at Enterprise Products, where he recently completed a $2 billion M&A deal. He’s also the GC of Texas Monthly and a musician who plays for two rock bands. He’s also the recipient of the 2021 Houston Corporate Counsel Award for Senior Counsel of the Year for a Midsized Legal Department.
Q&A: Charlie San Miguel
Premium-Only Content: Charlie San Miguel is recipient of the 2021 Houston Corporate Counsel Award for Senior Counsel of the Year for a Midsized Legal Department. The Lawbook’s Mark Curriden had a chance to ask him about the current issues facing in-house counsel and what he looks for in any relationship with an outside firm.
Fifth Circuit to RealPage: Go Phish
A federal appeals court Wednesday held that the Richardson-based property management-software company, a recent victim of a phishing expedition, cannot recover $6 million in stolen funds from its insurer, which affirmed a lower-court ruling that reached the same conclusion.
Dallas Lawyer Marc Stanley Takes Oath as Argentina Ambassador
Marc Stanley, a prominent Dallas securities trial lawyer who has handled thousands of civil cases and taken more than 50 disputes to trial, was sworn in Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Karen Gren Scholer as the new ambassador to the Argentine Republic.
Houston Jury Awards $7M to Injured Nursing Assistant
The plaintiff, who was injured in 2016 while putting a bariatric patient into a wheelchair, was represented by a team of lawyers at Houston firm Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner.
TechnipFMC’s Victoria Lazar Solves Billion-Dollar Problems
Victoria Lazar has designed, negotiated and closed numerous multibillion-dollar, high-profile M&A deals for corporate giants such as Electronic Data Systems and General Electric during her three decades practicing law. She worked on EDS’s separation from General Motors and GE Oil & Gas’s $32 billion purchase of Baker Hughes. She worked in Russia for Baker Botts representing the Azerbaijan International Oil Co. She became an expert on evaluating the risks of offshore, deep-water drilling equipment following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. She guided Bristow Helicopter Group out of a multibillion-dollar bankruptcy. Now TechnipFMC’s chief legal officer, Lazar recently completed a billion-dollar corporate spinoff.
But it was a pro bono divorce case Lazar handled when she was a young corporate transactional associate at Baker Botts in Houston that she considers her first memorable moment practicing law. Meet Victoria Lazar and her lifetime of achievements.