The SEC’s Fort Worth Office has charged AriseBank and its Dallas executives with fraud, illegally selling unregistered securities and providing misleading information to potential investors – all part of an initial coin offering of its own crypto-currency. U.S. District Chief Judge Barbara Lynn has halted all operations of AriseBank, which claimed to be the world’s first “decentralized bank,” and appointed a receiver to take over the business. The story includes appearances by boxing champ Evander Holyfield and Internet journalist Crypto Connie. The Lawbook has the details.
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Corp. Deal Tracker Weekly Round-Up: 11 Firms and 68 Texas Lawyers Work on 11 Transactions Worth $12.6B
Last week Texas dealmaking continued apace: an energy-related IPO moved forward, two joint ventures were inked, a bankruptcy was filed and oil and gas asset sales continued. In addition, there were fundings of a healthcare company and an oil and gas explorer as well as a private equity firm purchase of an oilfield services company. Does any of this mean that the energy sector has officially turned around? See what Claire Poole has to say in her weekly Deal Tracker Roundup in The Texas Lawbook.
Winstead Promotes 13 to Shareholder, including 10 in Texas
Ten of the newly-minted shareholders are based in the following Texas offices: Dallas, The Woodlands, Houston and Fort Worth.
BakerHostetler Announces Next Houston Office Managing Partner
Matthew Caligur will replace Lisa Pennington, who is retiring.
Sally Beauty Names John Henrich as Interim GC
Denton-based Sally Beauty announced a change in the top of the company’s legal department last Friday. Matthew Haltom resigned as GC and received a $500,000 separation package. Deputy GC John Henrich is serving as interim general counsel.
Dr Pepper GC Jim Baldwin Leads $18.7B Deal with Keurig
Dr Pepper Snapple General Counsel Jim Baldwin and the soft drink maker’s in-house legal team – including assistant GCs Art Swanson and Wayne Lewis – led the Plano company’s $18.7 billion merger negotiations with Keurig Green Mountain. Morgan Lewis, Skadden Arps and McDermott are advising in the transaction, but none of the key lawyers are based in Texas.
Environmental Regulatory Expert Joins Sidley Austin in Houston
Heather Palmer, who previously practiced at Bracewell, is an environmental regulatory expert in handling energy-related environmental transactions.
King & Spalding Adds Houston Litigation Partner
Craig Stanfield was previously at Morgan Lewis, where he was hiring partner of the firm’s Houston office and a member of its pro bono committee.
Alston & Bird Picks Up Dallas M&A Partner
Soren Lindstrom leaves McDermott Will & Emery for the Atlanta-based Alston & Bird.
DLA Piper Announces Corporate Partner Hire in Dallas
Steven Bartz, formerly of Thompson & Knight, concentrates his practice on structuring, forming and capitalizing private equity funds and portfolio companies on behalf of sponsors, investors and management teams.