Plaintiffs seeking class action status in federal civil racketeering lawsuits in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi involving pyramid scheme saw their path to victory in the courtroom get significantly easier this weekend. In an 11—5 en banc decision, the Fifth ruled that a trial judge in Houston was correct when he granted class action status to alleged victims in a lawsuit against a multilevel marketing unit of utility provider Stream Energy. Legal experts say the signals a major shift by the appeals court.
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Weary Travelers Take Heart: There are More Alternative Travel Options than Ever
Business lawyers in Texas are finding there are more alternative travel options than ever.
Wylys Seek Global Settlement Agreement with Federal Gov’t
Dallas business entrepreneur and philanthropist Samuel Wyly and his family are in negotiations with federal officials to resolve claims that the Wylys hid from tax collectors more than $1 billion in income in offshore trusts in the Isle of Man and the Cayman Islands. The SEC announced late Friday that Wyly agreed to pay $198 million to end the agency’s financial fraud case against the 83-year-old. Now, lawyers for the Wylys are in negotiations to settle separate, even larger claims with the IRS.
Andrews Kurth Lures GC of International Oil & Gas Company to Houston Office
Christopher Richardson was most recently the general counsel of Mubadala Petroleum, a multi-billion dollar international oil and gas company owned by the Abu Dhabi government.
Andrews Kurth Lures GC of International Oil & Gas Company to Houston Office
Christopher Richardson was most recently the general counsel of Mubadala Petroleum, a multi-billion dollar international oil and gas company owned by the Abu Dhabi government.
Jackson Walker Boosts Health Care Practice with Addition of Darren Skyles in Austin
Skyles focuses his practice on corporate compliance matters, business transactions, board governance, contracts, human resources issues and developing policies and procedures.
Fee Smith Launches Houston Office
The new office is the Dallas trial law firm’s third in Texas.
Fox Rothschild Adds Financial Restructuring Expert to Dallas Office
Mark Platt says the hot topic in bankruptcy and restructuring is still oil and gas.
Kirkland Adds Investment Funds Group in Houston
Matthew Nadworny, a Kirkland partner from the San Francisco office, has transferred to Houston to lead the development of the new group.
Houston Bankruptcy Judge to Creditors’ Counsel: ‘You’ve Got a Lot of Growing Up to Do’
Chief Bankruptcy Judge David Jones officially approved the billion-dollar restructuring plan offered by Oklahoma-based Midstates Petroleum on Wednesday, but he blasted the legal tactics of the lawyers for the unsecured creditors. “You don’t have a skill-set that will let you talk your way out of this,” Judge Jones told the lawyers, according to Debtwire.