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When the next history of the Supreme Court of the United States is written, several pages will be devoted to Judge Merrick Garland’s nomination and the 2016 presidential election. Some are already calling it the year the Republicans “stole” a Supreme Court seat. Now, President Trump will appoint Scalia’s replacement. Everyone is wondering who Trump will choose. Some reports suggests an announcement could come any day and Trump’s list of possible nominees includes a couple Texans.

Austin-based Venado Oil & Gas chose Baker Botts partner Mike Bengtson of Austin to advise the E&P company in its purchase of property and midstream assets in the Maverick Basin and Eagle Ford. SM Energy GC David Copeland and asst. GC James Lebeck are leading the deal for the Denver company.

Litigation involving the reasonableness of fees in ERISA plans was more prominent in 2016. New suits targeted plan sponsors, universities and investment companies. The fees of plans with balances less than $25 million have also drawn scrutiny.

Griffin and Long highlight the most significant cases from last year and identify specific decision-making procedures employers concerned about potential ERISA fee litigation should have in place.