Federal prosecutors in Dallas have dismissed the criminal case against John Rayne Rivello, a former U.S. Marine who allegedly sent a seizure-inducing Twitter message to a Newsweek journalist who published negative articles about then President-elect Donald Trump. Defense attorney David Gerger told The Texas Lawbook in an exclusive interview that the federal charges simply did not meet the facts alleged.
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Trump Making Mark in Texas Federal Judiciary
Eleven federal courtrooms in Texas have sat empty for years amid political wrangling, including a judgeship in Corpus Christi that has been vacant since 2011. Texas also has two appeals court seats empty since 2012 and 2013. The Trump administration has been moving swiftly to fill these Texas vacancies, which could end up being his most enduring legacy.
V&E, Akin Gump Advise on Talos’ $1.9B Hookup with Stone
Leaders at Tacos Energy and Stone Energy say their combination will create a top offshore-focused exploration and production company with an initial equity market capitalization of $1.9 billion and an enterprise value of $2.5 billion.
Corp. Deal Tracker Weekly Round-Up: 9 Firms, 62 Lawyers, 8 Transactions, $11.05B
The corporate deal world in Texas saw fewer transactions the week before Thanksgiving, but capital markets activity caused deal value for Nov. 13-20 to jump to $11.05 billion. Activity ranged from private equity commitments and exits to a slew of public notes offerings as Wall Street marches toward year-end.
The biggest deal transaction of the week was Marathon Petroleum’s $8.1 billion asset drop-down to affiliate MPLX followed by Energy Transfer Partners’ $1.5 billion sale of preferred units. Baker Botts’ Josh Davidson led three of the transactions. The Texas Lawbook has all the names and details.
AT&T Hires Gibson Dunn in Dallas for Antitrust Battle with Trump Administration
AT&T executives have exactly the right person in charge of their legal department as it prepares for what most legal experts predict will be an historic and potentially long and
Mayer Brown Elevates One to Partner in Houston
Kristen Ford focuses her practice on capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and general corporate matters.
Yvette Ostolaza Receives Prestigious ADL Award
Ostolaza is a managing partner of Sidley’s Dallas office, member of the firm’s executive and management committees and co-leader of its securities and shareholder litigation group.
Erin Nealy Cox Takes Over as NDTX U.S. Attorney
U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle swore in Erin Neely Cox on Friday as new United States Attorney for North Texas. Cox, in an exclusive interview with The Texas Lawbook, said she “had a good first day.”
“I told the staff Friday that I plan to go slow as fast as I can,” she said. “My plan is to spend the next 60 to 90 days meeting with our team, leaders of local federal law enforcement and federal judges” to help understand their needs and help “determine priorities.” The Texas Lawbook has full details.
TX GC Forum Honors Outstanding Corp. Legal Depts.
More than 300 of the most prominent in-house and outside corporate lawyers in Texas met in San Antonio Thursday and Friday as part of the annual meeting of the Texas General Counsel Forum. The Forum recognized eight lawyers and two legal departments for outstanding successes and achievements during the past year. The Texas Lawbook, which has an exclusive partnership with the GC Forum, has complete details.
Updated – Lanier Scores $247M Verdict in Latest J&J Hip Implant Case
A federal jury in Dallas has awarded $247 million to six New York residents for damages they have suffered from Johnson & Johnson and DePuy’s Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System hip implants.