The City of Fort Worth’s decades-old struggle with the “fuzzy animal” exception to state gaming laws entered a new phase Friday when a unanimous Texas Supreme Court sent its case back to the Second Court of Appeals. The state’s highest court asked the lower court to make the constitutionality of Fort Worth game rooms less…well, fuzzy. Janet Elliott explains.
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Susman Moved to Houston Rehab Facility
According to his brother, famed Houston trial lawyer Steve Susman is showing new signs of progress after a freak bicycle accident left him comatose for 11 days. Terry Carter has an update and background on the accident.
In Times of Uncertainty, Texas Law Firm Leaders Should Focus on What They Can Control
As the Covid-19 crisis stretches on, law firms need a renewed focus on communication and culture. The managing partners of Sidley’s two Texas offices weigh in and also discuss how the pandemic has changed lateral and talent recruitment.
Dallas Firm Reaches $52M Settlement for Facebook Workers Suffering From PTSD
The plaintiffs alleged that their repeated exposure to violent and graphic content — child sexual abuse, beheadings, terrorism, animal cruelty and other disturbing images — have caused them PTSD and other psychological issues. The settlement, obtained by Burns Charest, is considered “a first of its kind” because it also provides workplace reform in addition to monetary relief.
The Texas Middle Market – Flat or Firm, Stable or Stale?
There are seven middle market corporate law firms in The Texas Lawbook 50 in 2019 – down from nine a year earlier. They employed 721 corporate lawyers and generated $452 million in revenues. Some had record years. Others restructured. Legal industry analysts say these firms are a throwback to old-fashioned legal practices when lawyers were actually counselors for their business clients, and they might just thrive in this new crisis environment. Updated to include correction.
SCOTX: Jurisdiction Challenge Not Allowed in Parental Termination Case
The custody dispute was closely watched for its potential implications to allow challenges to other final custody rulings. It also attracted attention for the lineup of high-powered legal talent involved in the appeal. Janet Elliott has the details.
CDT Roundup: 18 Deals, 16 Firms, 124 Lawyers, $5.63B
Most alternative investors are sticking to their long-term plans despite the coronavirus, although they differ on when business will return to normal, while deal flow involving Texas lawyers continues to trend upward.
Kirkland-Jackson Walker Duo Strike Again in New Department Store Chapter 11 Filing
The romance continued Sunday evening between Jackson Walker and Kirkland & Ellis as the bankruptcy duo filed a Chapter 11 corporate restructuring petition on behalf of Houston-based department store chain Stage Stores, which operates Bealls, Palais Royal and others.
Texas Court Administration Hacked in Ransomware Attack
UPDATED: The Texas Office of Court Administration has announced that the website that serves the Texas judiciary has been the victim of a ransomware attack. Updated to include comments to The Lawbook by Chief Justice Nathan Hecht.
Dallas Law Firm Helps Furloughed Tenant Get TRO Against Relentless Landlord
When a furloughed mother-of-two in the Houston area was not able to make rent April 1, her landlord called and texted more than 267 times over the next month — even suggesting she take up prostitution to come up with the money. But a group of attorneys from Crawford, Wishnew & Lang swept in on a pro bono basis and successfully obtained a TRO for the tenant this week. They say the case makes their “blood boil.” Natalie Posgate explains why.