Judge Jim Ho is the first Asian American and only immigrant on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. As a child, he learned English from Sesame Street and as a judge he has received threatening racist letters. He’s a hardcore conservative who has joined liberals on the appellate court multiple times, including a recent decision that has energy executives outraged. His wife, Allyson Ho has argued multiple cases at the U.S. Supreme Court, played the harp for the justices when she clerked for Justice O’Connor and helped Justice Amy Barrett through the confirmation process. Despite young twins at home and a hurricane that destroyed their house, Theodore Boutrous Jr. says they are “the ultimate legal power couple” getting things done.
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April Farris Joins First Court of Appeals
April Farris, a former Yetter Coleman appellate partner and state Assistant Solicitor General, is settling into her first workweek as a justice on Houston’s Court of Appeals. Farris says she’s delighted to return to public service and carry out the oath she took on New Year’s Day.
Halliburton Names Van Beckwith its Chief Legal Officer
One year ago, Halliburton Chief Legal Officer Robb Voyles hired Baker Botts litigation partner Van Beckwith to be the oilfield service giant’s general counsel with the idea that he would eventually replace Voyles. Eventually has arrived. In exclusive interviews, Beckwith and Voyles tell The Texas Lawbook about their moves and what is ahead.
Top 10 Commercial Litigation Moments of 2020
2020 proved to be a tense year for Texas commercial litigators. Many courthouse doors remained shuttered for in-person proceedings and jury trials were nearly non-existent. The stresses of client needs and operating a law firm loomed at home. But it’s necessary to also recognize the highlights and headways that advanced the world of litigation as lawyers trudged through the dark tunnel created by COVID-19. Natalie Posgate picks 10 of these moments.
CDT Roundup: 2 Weeks, 25 Deals, 14 Firms, 223 Lawyers, $17.4B
The holidays are over, but hopefully the string of dealmaking that preceded late night Zoom visits with relatives will continue into the new year. The numbers were good. Better than expected. And the CDT Roundup has the details.
State Bar of Texas: 7 Judges, 19 Lawyers Cited
In its monthly report for January, the State Bar of Texas described disciplinary actions against 7 judges and 19 lawyers, including three disbarments, two resignations, nine suspensions and five public reprimands.
Dykema Bolsters Bankruptcy Bench
The firm recently added two senior counsel from the boutique law firm those attorneys co-founded.
In the Push for Diversity at the Top, Norton Rose Fulbright Finds Sponsorship vs. Mentorship is Key
All corporate law firms struggle with racial and gender diversity, but Norton Rose Fulbright appears to have figured out the formula for inclusion among its highest ranks. Four of its U.S. management committee are women – three are women of color. The firm’s new global chair is an African American woman. Six of the 11 associates promoted to partner this week are ethnic minorities or women. The data begs the question: How did a century old global law firm achieve so much diversity in its leadership ranks?
DBJ: The DFW Tech and Startup Funding Rounds, M&A and Investor Activity in December
The DFW funding and investment scene was active in December, which included one of the largest funding rounds of the year. NTX Inno staff writer Kevin Cummings has the details.
DBJ: Dallas Law Executive ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ for 2021
The Dallas Business Journal recently spoke with Mike Taten, managing partner of Jackson Walker’s Dallas office, about navigating the varied challenges of 2020 and his projections for the new year.