A new study by Haynes and Boone shows that the newly-elected appellate judges in Texas are reversing lower court litigation decisions equally for defendants and plaintiffs – a dramatic shift from only one year ago when Republican judges controlled the state appellate benches and favored defendants over plaintiffs by an overwhelming margin. The Texas Lawbook has the full details.
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Dallas Trial Lawyer Leaves Prominent Boutique for Kirkland
Kirkland has landed what is believed to be its first Dallas litigation partner, who joined from Lynn Pinker Cox & Hurst. The move comes two months after the firm announced it was launching a plaintiff-side trial group that tackles commercial litigation matters on a contingency or other alternative fee basis. Natalie Posgate has the scoop.
King & Spalding Bolsters Texas Offices
The moves come on the heels of the news that Houston private equity dealmaker Jeff Malonson has joined Weil.
A Rough Ruff Hearing
A Dallas County probate judge cut a short hearing shorter Tuesday, asking for written arguments in the dispute over a new trustee for the Ruff Management Trust. Allen Pusey reports that the abbreviated, chaotic hearing seemed emblematic of the rancor that has embroiled a Dallas family in their long-running fight for control of a relatively modest family fortune.
CDT Roundup: 15 Deals, 12 Firms, 56 Lawyers, $23.8B
Activist investors hit one of Texas’ largest companies and dealmaking value reached high numbers thanks to one law firm’s advice to a new real estate fund, the largest ever.
Updated: Former DOE Lawyer & Sunnova GC Joins Baker Botts
George Fibbe, the ex-deputy general counsel for litigation, regulation and enforcement at the U.S Department of Energy said he joined Baker Botts because the opportunity was “too good to pass up.” Find out more about his background in this Lawbook-conducted Q&A.
King & Spalding Transactional Partner Jeff Malonson Jumping to Weil
The move, which King & Spalding has apparently known for weeks, is part of the planned expansion of Weil’s Houston office.
Latham, Kirkland Advise on Energy Transfer’s $5.1B Acquisition of SemGroup
Analysts say the acquisition represents a sharp reversal from Energy Transfer’s recent messaging on portfolio management, capital discipline and accelerated deleveraging.
Chron: Bankruptcy Judge Accepts Weatherford Reorganization Plan
The approved plan gives Weatherford access to $600 million in credit and the ability to issue $1.6 billion of notes that will be used to pay down debt. Sergio Chapa of the Houston Chronicle has the story.
Chron: Alta Mesa Files for Bankruptcy Under Former Anadarko Chief
The Houston oil producer filed for bankruptcy protection Thursday amid collapsing finances and an SEC investigation into possible fraud. Latham & Watkins and Porter Hedges are serving as the debtors’ co-counsel.