The unprecedented election last week of 20 Democratic candidates to the state courts of appeals in Austin, Dallas and Houston will have an almost immediate and substantive impact on civil litigation and issues such as enforcement of arbitration clauses, excessive use of Anti-SLAPP laws and deference to juries in large-dollar plaintiff’s verdicts.
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Haynes and Boone Capital Markets Co-Chair Bill Nelson Headed to Shearman
Bill Nelson, a partner and co-chair of Haynes and Boone’s capital markets and securities practice in Houston, is joining Shearman & Sterling’s recently opened Houston office, sources confirmed. Nelson’s departure would leave a gaping hole in Haynes and Boone’s corporate practice in Houston. The Lawbook’s Claire Poole has the story.
U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox Named to Justice Department’s China Initiative
Nealy Cox will serve on the China Initiative with four other U.S. Attorneys from New York, California, Alabama and Massachusetts.
V&E, Bracewell, Baker Botts Assist on Anadarko’s Western Gas Transactions
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. announced Thursday that it agreed to sell almost all of its remaining midstream assets to affiliate Western Gas Partners for $4.015 billion, and three Texas law firms were involved. Claire Poole has the names and details.
UPDATED: Texas Supreme Court Justice Phil Johnson Retires
Texas Supreme Court Justice Phil Johnson, a conservative voice on the court for the past 13 years, has announced that he is retiring at the end of the year. Mark Curriden has the details.
Winston & Strawn Partner Steve Stodghill to Receive Two North Texas Awards
The Dallas lawyer will receive awards from the Anti-Defamation League and the Business Council for the Arts.
Toyota Legal One’s Mission: ‘Achieve Diversity in the Legal Profession’
Since relocating its U.S. headquarters to Plano two years ago, the corporate legal department at Toyota has implemented a diversity protocol that is among the most aggressive in Texas. Next week, the Texas GC Forum is honoring Toyota with its Magna Stella Award. The Lawbook has details and exclusive interviews.
$49M Battle Over Fracking Sand Container Designs Heads to Next Phase
It started with a client-vendor deal. A nondisclosure agreement was signed. The deal took the back burner, and the parties went their separate ways. But now, they are reunited in the courtroom in the thick of a $49 million legal battle. Neither side is backing down. Natalie Posgate tells the story.
Mergermarket: Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Lead Financial Advisors in Texas M&A
The Texas Lawbook has exclusive top 30 rankings of financial advisors in mergers and acquisitions involving Texas-based companies. Mergermarket data shows that 15 investment banks worked on 10 deals or more.
Paul Hastings Signs Houston Private Equity Deal Pro Kfir Abutbul
Previously at Willkie Farr, Abutbul says Paul Hastings offered him an “excellent” platform and opportunity for personal growth.