With Texas and most states “open for business,” companies are navigating a world where the novel coronavirus is still spreading widely. Adding to the complexity is shifting, often conflicting, advice from different public health agencies on everything from mask-wearing, to the number of isolation days, to the ways the virus spreads most readily. There are no employment laws designed for this situation; there is no ready-made checklist. This article outlines a few of the tough scenarios facing employers.
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DLA Piper Preps for More Bankruptcy Work with New Lateral Partner
The move comes as a record number of Texas businesses filed for bankruptcy in the first half of the year. DLA’s recent hire expects activity to only accelerate.
Bracewell Strengthens Litigation Bench with Addition of Corporate Policyholder Litigator
Vincent Morgan, who is a former managing partner of Pillsbury’s Houston office, is Bracewell’s third lateral partner addition in the past month.
Judiciary Network Limps Back From Ransomware Attack
A ransomware attack May 8 from a Russian IP address crashed access to the state’s appeals court records. But it didn’t stop the business of the courts. Janet Elliott looks back at what happened and how the state responded to the unprecedented attack.
Dallas Judge Keeps Bar Owner-Abbott Suit, Orders Depos of Two TX Moguls — Updated
A Dallas state court has denied Gov. Greg Abbott’s request to dismiss a lawsuit brought earlier this month by eight Texas bar owners who claim Abbott violated their constitutional rights with an executive order that shuttered bars across Texas in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
[Updated] SCOTX Justice Paul Green Retires: ‘It Just Seemed Like the Right Time’
Justice Paul Green, the second-longest sitting justice on the Supreme Court of Texas, announced Tuesday that he is retiring at the end of August. A third-generation lawyer, Justice Green has been a reliably conservative vote on a state supreme court loaded with conservatives. Justice Green was re-elected in 2016 and his term officially ends in December 2022. Gov. Greg Abbott will appoint his successor.
Kirkland and Gray Reed Lead BJ Services into Chapter 11 – Updated
Oilfield services firm BJ Services filed for bankruptcy Monday in the Southern District of Texas. BJ Services GC John Bakht selected Kirkland & Ellis and Gray Reed as legal advisors, PJT Partners as a financial advisor and Ankura Consulting as its restructuring advisor.
CDT Roundup: Six Deals, 5 Firms, 50 Lawyers, $1.98B
During a horrible stretch for traditional oil and gas transactions, there is one category of energy transactions that has been holding its own: renewables. And even under the mudslide of bankruptcies and recap transactions, it’s hard not to notice that Texas lawyers are beginning to cash in.
McGirt v. Oklahoma’s Potentially Sweeping Regulatory Implications for the Oil & Gas Industry
The decision, which commentators are describing as “stunning,” will have regulatory consequences far beyond defining the criminal jurisdiction of state and federal courts. This article looks at key takeaways for companies with a stake in oil and gas development in the affected region.
Updated – Meet Haynes and Boone’s Next Managing Partner
Taylor Wilson has been groomed for three decades to lead at Haynes and Boone. He’s served on the firm’s board of directors and executive committee, chaired the partner compensation committee and led hiring and recruiting efforts. On Jan. 1, he gets a new title: managing partner.