The U.S. Supreme Court started its 2021 term Monday and its business docket so far is “ridiculously light.” But Texas will make its mark this term in a different area of the law: the First Amendment. Four pending cases arising from Texas will test issues of free speech and free exercise of religion. So here is a quick rundown of the Texas cases as well as the business cases of possible interest.
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Houston Federal Court Ends Long-running Fight between GenOn and Bank
A federal district court in Houston has followed the recommendation of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David Jones to dismiss all remaining litigation between French bank Natixis Funding Corp. and GenOn Mid-Atlantic over a $130 million credit arrangement gone south for two coal-fired power plants in Maryland.
State Bar of Texas Discipline: 2 Resignations, 5 Suspensions, 1 Public Reprimand
The Texas Lawbook has details on the latest State Bar of Texas disciplinary actions, which includes lawyers who neglected their clients’ legal matters and failed to keep them in the loop. In one instance, a Dallas lawyer stole $50k from a client and filed for bankruptcy protection in an attempt to cover it up.
Chad Meacham Named Interim U.S. Attorney in Dallas
A veteran of high-profile criminal prosecutions, Chad Meacham will serve as the second interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas since January, succeeding Prerak Shah, who is leaving the office. There has been no public indication of when the Biden administration will nominate a permanent top prosecutor for the district.
1-800-343-TLAP: ‘That Call Changed My Life’
Eleven years ago on Mother’s Day, I was driving down a winding Texas road thinking about how much I loathed who I had become. I had been abusing alcohol for years and had severe, untreated depression. I was lying to my employer about the work I was doing (I was not doing it). I would not return client phone calls knowing they would remind me I was not doing the job I was entrusted to do.
Texas State Bar Unveils Sweeping Membership Changes To Comply With Court Order
The State Bar of Texas on Thursday made public a broad range of rule changes to comply with a federal appeals court ruling in July that the bar association violated the First Amendment by imposing membership and dues on lawyers who object to certain bar activities.
CDT Roundup: 11 Deals, 9 Firms, 93 Lawyers, $11.46B
The Texas Lawbook is sharing some changes for readers to be aware of heading into the fall. And in last week’s transactions, Texas lawyers took part in a few SPAC IPOs, a proposed juggernaut of a Permian Basin asset sale and a handful of capital commitments.
Chris LaFollette: ‘Just a Lucky Girl From South Texas’
After practicing law for 40 years, corporate attorney Chris LaFollette reflects on her career, coming up in Houston and focusing on energy transactions from 1980 to 2020.
Hines Assistant GC Returns to Big Law at Hunton AK
Jay Blackman served as assistant general counsel of investment funds and joint ventures at the Houston real estate company for a little over a year.
Susman Godfrey Prevails in $3.89B Dispute over Puerto Rican Fuel Contracts
After 12 years of litigation, a federal judge rules Susman’s client, the Dutch energy company Vitol, is entitled to keep the money it received for supplying fuel oil to Puerto Rico’s state-run electric utility between 2005 and 2009.