The Texas 12th Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in hedge fund executive Kyle Bass’ effort to revive an ultra vires lawsuit against the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District over halted water well permits, which the district argues is barred by a prior settlement.
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CirclesX Gets Chilly Reception at Houston Appeals Court
Houston’s First Court of Appeals voiced skepticism Tuesday toward CirclesX Recovery’s bid to revive its Winter Storm Uri tortious interference and market manipulation claims against 43 natural gas companies. The three-justice panel questioned whether gas producers intended to disrupt consumer contracts rather than simply pursue profit during the historic 2021 freeze.
Texas A&M Dean Named President of Pace University
Texas A&M University School of Law Dean Robert B. Ahdieh has been named president of Pace University in New York. Since taking the helm in 2018, Ahdieh has guided the law school from 83rd to 22nd in national rankings, expanded total enrollment to more than 2,000 and led the school’s expansion in Fort Worth.
Brenna Nava’s Hard Work, Leadership ‘Literally Saving Lives’
The 2017 class of Leadership San Antonio was touring the nonprofit healthcare organizations BioBridge Global and helping assemble packets used to match marrow donors with patients. One class member — Rackspace Technology Senior Counsel Brenna Nava, a former high school dance teacher turned corporate in-house counsel — was fascinated.
Seven years later, Preferred Legal Counsel President Morgan Matson called Nava with an interesting opportunity: the deputy general counsel position at BioBridge. Nava is the 2026 San Antonio Senior Counsel of the Year for a Small Legal Department.
Winter Storm Uri Litigators’ Last Stand
In one of the last remaining legal battles stemming from the February 2021 winter freeze, the First Court of Appeals in Houston will hear oral arguments Tuesday over whether to revive market manipulation and price-gouging claims against 43 major natural gas companies. Plaintiff CirclesX Recovery argues that energy producers and pipeline operators intentionally restricted fuel supplies during Winter Storm Uri to starve power generators and extract billions in windfall profits.
Fifth Circuit Judicial Council Releases Report on NDTX Judge Ada Brown
U.S. District Judge Ada Brown set off a weekend scramble when she emailed confidential Fifth Circuit misconduct documents about herself to dozens of judges at 2 a.m. Saturday, prompting the judicial council to officially release them Monday. The newly public findings include probable cause that Brown created a hostile work environment, abandoned her docket and refused to cooperate with investigators, and raise questions about her ability to serve. Brown is now required to sit Oct. 30 for a sworn interview with the investigating committee. The Texas Lawbook has the official documents and full report by Fifth Circuit Chief Judge Jennifer Elrod.
U.S. Trustee Recommends No Expansion of Jackson Walker Bankruptcy Fee Case
The U.S. Trustee’s office has told the court it is unnecessary to expand the claw-back litigation against Jackson Walker beyond the 33 bankruptcy cases already proceeding that involve former U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David Jones and former Jackson Walker bankruptcy partner Elizabeth Freeman.
Litigation Roundup: Fish Fraud, Talarico Town Hall and More
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals revives a RICO suit against a restaurant accused of seafood fraud, a conservative commentator files a federal trademark infringement suit against CNN over U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico’s town hall last week, and ExxonMobil is stuck with an $816 million verdict according to a Pennsylvania appellate court.
Ares Buys Infinity Transportation from KKR for $2.9B
Kirkland & Ellis advised Ares with a national team that includes a dozen Texas lawyers. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett counseled KKR with a team of New York attorneys.
Kirkland Lures Houston Antitrust Litigation Partner from Susman Godfrey
The heated battle among elite corporate law firms and high-powered litigation boutiques for top trial talent continued Monday. Once again, Kirkland & Ellis is the acquirer.