Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood was published in 1966, which suggests that the 60th anniversary is good time to revisit it. The novel was a subject of discussion in our Legal Philosophy seminar at Texas A&M University School of Law earlier this semester, and we found some of the seminar participants’ observations worth sharing: such as whether there are important, inherent differences between urban and rural justice systems.
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Jury Sides with 2 of 3 Jane Does in Sexual Assault Trial Against Dallas Developer
In a case where three Jane Does alleged Dallas developer Bill Hutchinson sexually assaulted them, a jury agreed with two of the women Thursday night after 11 hours of deliberation. The two women who prevailed alleged that Hutchinson raped them. The third plaintiff alleged Hutchinson groped her, a claim the jury rejected.
The jury awarded the prevailing women a combined $860,000 in damages, but the plaintiffs were seeking an award of $79.8 million.
Texas Business Court Caseload Accelerates and Broadens After House Bill 40 Expands Jurisdiction
The Texas Business Court’s second year is off to a faster start than its first, and the expansion of its jurisdictional reach through House Bill 40 appears to be contributing to the uptick in its caseload. This analysis takes a look at the numbers, with a focus on the Eleventh and Third Divisions.
EDTX Judge Dismisses Gateway Church Tithe Suit, Citing Recent 5th Circuit Precedent
In a major legal victory Wednesday for leaders of Gateway Church, a federal judge in Sherman dismissed a lawsuit brought by members of the church who claim its leaders misused hundreds of thousands of dollars of their tithes.
Vartabedian Handles Chapter 11 Filing for Camp Mystic
Almost a year after the deadly flash flood on the Guadalupe River that killed more than two dozen campers and staff, Camp Mystic has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Southern District of Texas.
The case has been assigned to Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. Lopez. First-day documents were filed by Martin Sosland, a Dallas partner with Vartabedian Katz Hester & Haynes.
SpaceX Announces $25B Inaugural Notes Issue
Taking advantage of its expanded new market cap, Space Exploration Technologies announced its pricing of an inaugural $25 billion bond issue. Gibson Dunn lawyers in Texas and New York advised.
ABA Summit Touts Value of DEI Amid Growing Backlash
Legal leaders gathered virtually this week for the American Bar Association’s Equity Summit, where speakers discussed the progress the profession has made on diversity, equity and inclusion while acknowledging the challenges that remain amid the current political landscape.
What Judge Hittner’s 40 Years on the Federal Bench Teaches Us All
This month marks the 40th anniversary of Judge David Hittner’s appointment by President Ronald Reagan. That tenure places him well within the 10 longest-serving district judges in Texas history. The traits that have made Judge Hittner a great federal trial judge apply beyond the bench. They are ones that any lawyer can learn from.
SMU Taps Gibson Dunn Partner as Next Chief Legal Officer
Sophie Rohnke will officially join Southern Methodist University on August 1 as vice president for legal affairs and government relations, general counsel, and secretary to the Board of Trustees. She succeeds Paul Ward, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
Energy Fuels Buys Germany’s VAC for $1.9B in Rare Earths Deal
Denver-based mining company Energy Fuels said that it has acquired German magnetics company Vacuumschmelze, also known as VAC, from private equity firm Ara Partners for about $1.9 billion in cash and stock.
Dentons, Dorsey & Whitney, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and Latham & Watkins advised on the deal.