Texas Chief Justice Nathan Hecht says the number of Texans needing legal assistance but who cannot afford an attorney is increasing so fast that the state’s legal profession is not equipped to handle the demand for basic legal services for military veterans, abused spouses and children and other low-income residents. Even so, new Texas Lawbook data shows that most corporate law firms in Texas are not doing their share of pro bono work, even as those same firms achieve record profits. The solution may rest with in-house corporate legal departments and general counsel. The Texas Lawbook has an in-depth report.
More Stories
CDT Roundup: 12 Deals, 14 Firms, 70 Lawyers, $5.56B
Despite a global dealmaking slowdown in Q3, one data firm expects North American M&A to still surpass $2 trillion this year. Claire Poole reports on that plus the deals for the week that was.
Goldman Regains Top Spot in Terms of Texas M&A Value
Other bulge-bracket banks also ranked highly, showing that those with heft and a record of leadership are winning deal business despite the slowdown in activity in Texas.
SCOTX: Judge’s Testimony Against Lawyer Was Proper
A bankruptcy judge who brought an ethics complaint against McAllen lawyer Mark Cantu should not have been excluded from testifying in the resulting disciplinary trial, SCOTX has ruled in a per curiam decision. Janet Elliott explains why it was even a question.
A Quick Guide for Law Firm Cyber-Security Risks and Ethical Compliance
Josh Horwitz of cybersecurity firm Enzoic looks at how an opinion issued by the ABA’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility underscores the importance of responding to a data breach with legal and ethical guidelines.
$20M HOA Verdict Becomes Personal for Coinsource GC Arnold Spencer
Arnold Spencer has tried around 100 cases in his legal career. But a recent Perry Mason moment during an insurance negligence trial came to him while wearing a different hat: a fact witness. Natalie Posgate tells his tale and how he and lawyers at Hedrick Kring secured a $20 million jury verdict this week on behalf of residents of a burned down Dallas condominium.
Three Dallas Litigators Join Dykema
The additions increase the firm’s Dallas headcount to almost 50 attorneys and include a former Texas appellate court justice and a young oil and gas litigator who co-led the bankruptcy practice at his last firm.
When a Lynching was Actually a Lynching, and Changed the Law Forever
Ed Johnson was dragged from his jail cell by dozens of white men, brutally beaten and told his family and friends would be next. The mob hauled Johnson to the county bridge and placed a noose around his neck. “There’s nothing you can do to save your life,” the mob screamed. “God bless you all,” Johnson answered. “I am a innocent man.” This is the story about a time when lynchings were actually lynchings. This lynching forever changed the law.
HP Wins $176M Verdict Over Taiwanese Firm
HP Inc. Tuesday won a $176 million antitrust verdict against a Taiwanese manufacturer of CD-ROM drives. But the case may not end there. Because the jury found that the firm’s price fixing violations were intentional, HP’s Beck Redden lawyers are asking that the damages be tripled. Natalie Posgate has the details.
CDT Roundup: 8 Deals, 8 Firms, 138 Lawyers, $6.6B
Private equity activity has slowed down this year while M&A involving Texas lawyers did the same this past week. Consolidation continued in the Permian Basin, private equity-backed midstream developers found exits and a big oil company divested a big asset while another expanded in a new growth area.