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Forest Park Fraud Prosecutor: ‘It Comes Down to Greed and Arrogance’

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Wirmani has never spoken publicly about the unprecedented federal criminal charges he brought against 21 Forest Park Medical Center officials, including nine surgeons and doctors.

Until now.

In an exclusive in-depth interview with Texas Lawbook reporter Bruce Tomaso, Wirmani discusses the tips that launched the investigation, the innovative legal strategy he and his team employed, and how the Forest Park prosecution success is being replicated in other jurisdictions.

April 5, 2021 Bruce Tomaso

Ex-Texas Solicitor General Kyle Hawkins Heads to Gibson Dunn

Kyle Hawkins, who argued four cases to the U.S. Supreme Court as Texas solicitor general, started a new job today as a partner in Texas for Gibson Dunn. A former clerk to Justice Samuel Alito Jr., Hawkins plans to boost the firm’s litigation and appellate presence in Houston.

April 5, 2021 Tony Mauro

Pioneer to Purchase DoublePoint Energy in Bolt-on Play

Pioneer Natural Resources is once again strengthening its hold in the Permian Basin with the $6.4 billion acquisition of a Fort Worth-based company.

April 2, 2021 Anna Butler

Overhaul of Appeals Courts Moves to Texas Senate

The Senate Committee on Jurisprudence pushed forward a closely-held plan by Republicans to remodel the state’s appellate courts. The party-line vote on Thursday came with an abundance of criticism for the plan’s perceived lack of transparency and its potential for obliterating minority gains in the state’s highest courts.

April 1, 2021 Allen Pusey

Munck Wilson Scores Unusual Early Dismissal in EDTX Patent Case

Ten months in, the case was still in its infancy when U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan of the Eastern District of Texas dismissed it and invalidated the patent at issue under Section 101 grounds, which lawyers involved say is a rare occurrence for patent cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas.

April 1, 2021 Natalie Posgate

Snowstorm Lawsuit Between Energy Transfer and SA Utility Company Heats Up

A legal battle between two Energy Transfer subsidiaries and the City of San Antonio’s utility company is just one example of the many lawsuits that are surfacing after winter storm Uri — and just one of more than a dozen lawsuits that the nation’s largest municipally-owned utility company is bringing against natural gas providers.

April 1, 2021 Natalie Posgate

Former Partner Sues Polsinelli for Sexual Orientation Discrimination

A Houston bankruptcy lawyer has sued his former employer, Polsinelli, alleging that he was fired because he’s gay. The plaintiff is being represented by Bill Brewer III and Bill Brewer IV.

March 31, 2021 Bruce Tomaso

V&E Matches Big ‘Special Bonuses’ for Associates, Counsel

Vinson & Elkins announced Wednesday that it is giving its associates and counsel “special bonuses” ranging from $12,000 for the firm’s newest associates to $64,000 for its most senior associates and counsel. Akin Gump announced similar bonuses Tuesday.

March 31, 2021 Mark Curriden

CDT Roundup: 27 Deals, 15 Firms, 244 Lawyers, $13.9B

Last week the CDT Roundup predicted an uptick in deals. The week provided far more than a tick, however, recording the most deals in a single week since 2018 and the most lawyers involved — well, ever. CDT Roundup has the details.

March 31, 2021 Anna Butler & Allen Pusey

Expertless Opinion: New Rankings – Baylor Soars Over Gonzaga

The new rankings are out. No, not college hoops. The much-maligned U.S. News and World Report lists only one Texas law school in the top 50, but four rank between No. 52 and No. 60. The biggest disappointment regards the UNT Dallas College of Law. The Texas Lawbook gives the ranking the serious examination that it deserves.