I’m asked on occasion if being a Black female has hindered my legal career. I try to be candid. My first thoughts are based on my experiences during trial. Like my “surprisingly” on-point trial briefs and arguments throughout trial that address important legal and appellate issues. My “surprisingly” well-thought-out charge objections, submissions and arguments. Why are my arguments surprising but not the other side’s?
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Delaware Court Validates Regency-ETP Merger With $1.6B Defense Win
A Delaware court this week handed a trial defense win to Energy Transfer in a dispute that stemmed from the 2015 mega-merger between ET companies Regency Energy Partners and Energy Transfer Partners, clearing the defendants of $1.6 billion in possible damages.
Expert Panel Talks Covid-Era Advocacy: Are Virtual Trials ‘Like Having Sex by Mail’?
If you find yourself with an upcoming jury trial date and are wracked with anxiety over trying a case during a pandemic, you’re in luck. Three prominent trial lawyers recently shared their experiences and lessons learned so you’re not in the dark.
Energy Transfer to Acquire Enable Midstream in $7.2B Deal; Latham, V&E Advise
[Updated to include new names]
The deal consolidates a large swath of energy pipelines across four states and aids Energy Transfer’s drive to deleverage its balance sheet. The Lawbook’s Allen Pusey has the names of the lawyers involved.
Texas GCs: Contract and Employment Disputes Dominated 2020 Litigation
The litigation dockets of nearly one-third of Texas businesses increased in 2020 because of Covid-19 37% of corporate legal departments in the state believe that the social justice movement of the past year has made them more vulnerable to employment litigation, according to Norton Rose Fulbright’s 16th annual litigation trends survey.
Four Federal Judges Spill the Deets of the Covid-era Jury Trial
Texas federal courts are defrosting from a late year, Covid-spike-induced freeze in jury trials, with two federal judges resuming jury trials next week. They were among a group of four Texas federal judges who recently shared their wisdom of trying cases in the Covid era.
Prominent Trial Lawyers Heading Toward Litigation Showdown
Dallas personal injury attorney Amy Witherite wants the opportunity to question under oath her old boss and law partner, Brian Eberstein, about possibly violating an agreement the duo reached in 2015 when Eberstein decided to retire and Witherite paid him for exclusive rights to their old firm’s intellectual property.
District Judge Considers Taking Adversary Bankruptcy Case Amid Threats of Calling the Feds
A federal judge in Houston is considering whether to take over an explosive adversary proceeding currently in U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur’s court that may result in Isgur calling the U.S. Attorney’s Office on one of the parties.
Houlihan Lokey, JP Morgan Lead Advisor Tables
The top three financial advisors for deals involving Texas firms, as well as six of the top ten firms, experienced declines from 2019. Caroline Evans has the numbers and the names.
The Journey of Diversity: A Family Story
In 1970, a teacher you’ve probably never heard of left Clinton Park Elementary on the east side of Houston to teach at William B. Travis Elementary on the northwest side. Her name is Carolyn White. I call her mom. She was one of six Black teachers who were called “crossover teachers,” moved from all-Black schools to try to integrate predominantly white schools.
Sixteen years later, I was one of only two Black students at the school. Once I decided to become a lawyer, I had no idea that my childhood experiences would prepare me for what I would encounter in the legal profession.