Ransomware attacks against government entities are on the rise. Texas municipalities increasingly find themselves between Scylla and Charybdis: pay Bitcoin ransom to cyber-bandits or lose data critical to the basic functions of modern cities. But can a public entity in Texas legally pay a ransom, even if it is the financially responsible thing to do? This article has the details.
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Woodland Resources Ordered to Stop Selling Oil and Gas Investments
The Texas Securities Commission issued an emergency cease-and-desist order late Wednesday against a Fort Worth oil executive for allegedly providing misleading and incomplete information to potential investors about so-called “offset wells.”
Kirkland Initiative Seeks Share of Texas Trial Contingency Fee Practice
The Chicago-based powerhouse announced Wednesday the formation of a plaintiff-side trial group that tackles commercial litigation matters based on pure contingent fees or other unique fee arrangements.
DBJ: Southwest, Delta spar over ‘Love Field Letters’ in ongoing lawsuit
Depending who you ask, the Love Field Letters are either “inappropriate and legally inadequate” or directed Dallas “to make reasonable efforts to accommodate competition at the airport.” Evan Hoopfer of the Dallas Business Journal has the story.
Three Firms, Three Mergers – Measuring Success After 15 Months
Gardere would have celebrated its 110th anniversary this year. Andrews Kurth of Houston would have been 117 years old. Strasburger & Price would have turned 80. In April, the three firms merged with national practices within days of each other. The Texas Lawbook examines how each of those mergers has worked out.
SDTX Denies Class Cert in Lawsuit Over Eagle Ford Royalties
A Houston federal judge has denied class certification in a putative class action lawsuit against Talisman Energy USA, lawyers for Baker Botts, the winning law firm, announced Tuesday.
Reed Smith Continues Dallas Expansion, Adds Litigation Partner
Dallas commercial litigator Elizabeth Brandon has jumped to Reed Smith’s recently-opened Dallas office from Barnes & Thornburg.
Meet the Lawyers Behind the Texas Foster Care Reform Case
Two Texas law firms are one step closer to obtaining what they say are long-overdue reforms to the state’s foster care system after a ruling issued Monday by the Fifth Circuit. Natalie Posgate has the details on the ruling and the 411 on the Texas lawyers involved and how they got on the case.
CDT Roundup: 7 Deals, 9 Firms, 85 Lawyers, $2.5B
Almost 4,000 PE funds are now competing in a congested market for money-raising and PE-backed buyouts are down in number and value for the second quarter, according to Preqin. In her weekly roundup, Claire Poole has the major deals last week involving Texas lawyers and stats that describe an increasingly circumspect market for M&A.
Magnolia Houston Announces Completion of Major Hotel Renovation Project
The Tribute Portfolio Hotel has made enhancements to all meeting & event spaces, rooms and public spaces. The revival of the Magnolia Houston pays homage to its roots as the former Post Dispatch building and rich history as an iconic Houston building.