Four Barnes & Thornburg litigators have left the firm to launch Duane Morris’ new Dallas office, which the Philadelphia firm says solidifies its presence in the state’s high-technology and energy sectors.
More Stories
J.C. Penney and Neiman Marcus Paid $100M in Bankruptcy Fees to Lawyers & Bankers
Neiman Marcus filed for bankruptcy on May 7. Eight days later, J.C. Penney petitioned for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Even before they filed, the two DFW retailers had paid legal and financial advisors $30 million to prepare the case. And those fees were only the start. The Texas Lawbook has details.
Appeals Court Denies Toyota’s Request to Seal Docs in Reavis Case – Updated
A Dallas appeals court ruled Thursday that a trial court did not abuse its discretion by declining to seal a set of documents at Toyota’s request after a 2018 trial that rendered a $242 million verdict. The appeal of the verdict is still pending, but in the meantime, Natalie Posgate dissects the issues around the documents.
DBJ: Frisco Video Game Company Getting Acquired in Massive Deal Worth Up to $1.3B
The maker of “Borderlands” has agreed to a transaction that will make it a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sweden’s Embracer Group. Brian Womack of the Dallas Business Journal has the details.
Pandemic Finances – From Fear to Confidence (Part 3)Lawyers Plan to Put New Skills to Work
How would the COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted the legal business before laptops and the internet – an era within the living memory of some lawyers still practicing, when secretary-typed documents, wall-wired telephones and telexes or faxes were the main alternatives to face-to-face engagement. Would lawyers have taken foolish risks with their health – just to make a living? Would communications obstacles shut down legal practices and squeeze revenues enough to cause some firms to fail? The Texas Lawbook takes a look.
NDTX Judge Starr: A Famous Uncle, a Ragtop Beetle and a Career of Public Service
U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr has a penchant for public service, fond memories of growing up in West Texas and is a proud owner of a 1962 VW Ragtop Beetle. Judge Starr recently took time out of his busy schedule to share some insights about his background, his career and his experiences so far on the bench.
CDT Roundup: 18 Deals, 9 Firms, 182 Lawyers, $9.5B
SPAC deals have become a phenomenon during the last few months. That’s because they offer a path to going public that is easier than traditional routes. That said, there may be a downside to the new tool. Caroline Evans discusses along with last week’s deals in the CDT Roundup.
Future of Pipeline Projects at Stake in New Case Before U.S. Supreme Court
Invoking the seldom-cited Eleventh Amendment, the U.S. Third Circuit ruled that a law allowing the use of federal powers of eminent domain could not be used against property owned by state governments. The ruling will likely disrupt a number of natural gas pipeline projects aimed at bolstering the nation’s energy infrastructure. Tony Mauro explains the stakes.
Pandemic Finances – From Fear to Confidence (Part 2)The Saving Grace: Technology and Firm Culture
Texas corporate law firms salvaged their 2020 revenues because of strong demand from clients trying to navigate a perplexing business environment and a surprising capacity, heretofore hidden or rarely called upon, to supply those services remotely. Even though firms leapt into it literally overnight with no time to plan and prepare, remote working proved effective and efficient last year.
“The pandemic impacted how we did business much more than the business we did,” said King & Spalding’s Houston office leader Tracie Renfroe.
Pandemic Finances: The Charts
2020 Revenues v. 2019 More or Less Than Expected? Pandemic or Oil? Revenues per Lawyer Above $1 Million Revenues per Lawyer Below $1 Million Profits Per Partner: Top 13 Profits