For 76 hours this weekend, two corporate law firms representing two makers of rehydration drinks did battle in a trade dress, trademark dilution, tortious interference and antitrust lawsuit in Texas. The heated litigation with Alston & Bird representing Laboratorios Pisa and Baker Botts defending PepsiCo ended Sunday at 10:19 p.m. at the Fifth Circuit. Lawyers on both sides anticipate the fight to continue later this week.
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Mercedes, Ferrari & Daimler Dismissed from Formula One Patent Litigation
In a one-page order issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright dismissed Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, Ferrari and Daimler AG from a massive patent infringement suit over the safety technology used in Formula One racing.
Bobby Lee Cook: The Death of the ‘Best There Has Ever Been’
For 72 years, Bobby Lee Cook defended suspected criminals and prosecuted corporate desperados through civil litigation across the U.S., including a dozen in Texas. His clients included moonshiners, murderers and politicians. Matlock was based on his life. His defense of Savannah socialite Jim Williams helped bring to life John Berendt’s true-crime classic Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
As a lawyer/journalist, I have covered hundreds of trials. In the courtroom, Bobby Lee Cook is the best there has ever been.
DBJ: PE Firm Announces Third Acquisition in Under a Month
The Dallas-based energy private equity firm most said it would acquire NorTex Midstream Partners, a Houston-based natural gas storage and transportation company.
SCOTX Hears SLAPP Award Dispute in Caged Tiger Case
A 2018 dispute over four white tigers caged for viewing at a Houston restaurant has made its way to SCOTX. The dispute is no longer about the tigers — they found a more appropriate habitat. But sanctions levied for a SLAPP suit filed for commercial defamation are keeping the litigation alive. Janet Elliott has the details.
CDT Roundup: 12 Deals, 7 Firms, 81 Lawyers, $4.9B
Energy is back in the news, and not in a good way. The Texas grid, which has worked remarkably well in developing new energy sources, crashed mercilessly this week. With warmer weather on the horizon, get ready for the cleanup, the political recriminations and the lawsuits. They could last for years, suggests one expert. The CDT Roundup looks at the mess, in addition to last week’s dealmaking.
Fort Worth Episcopal Property Dispute May Be Heading to SCOTUS…Again
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider whether it will weigh in on issues raised by the long-running $100 million property dispute between factions of the Episcopal Church in Fort Worth. Tony Mauro of The Lawbook is watching the case.
‘I’m An Example of Why Diversity Matters’
I’m asked on occasion if being a Black female has hindered my legal career. I try to be candid. My first thoughts are based on my experiences during trial. Like my “surprisingly” on-point trial briefs and arguments throughout trial that address important legal and appellate issues. My “surprisingly” well-thought-out charge objections, submissions and arguments. Why are my arguments surprising but not the other side’s?
Delaware Court Validates Regency-ETP Merger With $1.6B Defense Win
A Delaware court this week handed a trial defense win to Energy Transfer in a dispute that stemmed from the 2015 mega-merger between ET companies Regency Energy Partners and Energy Transfer Partners, clearing the defendants of $1.6 billion in possible damages.
Expert Panel Talks Covid-Era Advocacy: Are Virtual Trials ‘Like Having Sex by Mail’?
If you find yourself with an upcoming jury trial date and are wracked with anxiety over trying a case during a pandemic, you’re in luck. Three prominent trial lawyers recently shared their experiences and lessons learned so you’re not in the dark.