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Dallas-Based Dean Omar Branham Shirley Takes Johnson & Johnson to Trial in String of Legal Fights - DOBS has been in near back-to-back trials this year across the country against Johnson & Johnson over claims its talc-based baby powder was contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos. At the heart of DOBS’ latest trial is Michaeleen Lee, an 80-year-old grandmother and former chemistry professor who died from mesothelioma, a cancer in the lining of the lung. November 27, 2024Krista Torralva
Rapper Drake Taps Houston Firm AZA to Take Rap Beef to Courtroom - Rapper Drake has tapped Houston law firm Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing, known as AZA, to represent him in a legal action against Universal Music Group amid his high-profile feud with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar. AZA Partners John Zavitsanos, Daryl Moore, Monica Uddin and associate Michael Killingsworth on Monday filed a pre-lawsuit petition in Bexar County requesting permission to take depositions of corporate representatives for UMG and iHeartMedia. November 26, 2024Krista Torralva
Jury Slams Natera with $292.5M Verdict in False Advertising, Unfair Competition Trial over Colorectal Cancer Test - Guardant Health and Natera had lodged false advertising claims against each other, with Guardant filing suit first in May 2021 and Natera following with counterclaims in June 2021. The jury, which was seated Nov. 4 and heard 10 days of testimony before returning a verdict Monday, awarded Guardant $75 million in damages for corrective advertising, about $41.5 million for disgorgement of Natera’s profits and $175.5 million in punitive damages. November 26, 2024Michelle Casady
North Texas Tollway Authority Nets $280M Verdict Against President George Bush Turnpike Constructors - A Dallas County jury found Prairie Link Constructors, a joint venture of construction companies Fluor Enterprises and Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, breached its contract with the North Texas Tollway Authority to build six and a half miles of roads, bridges and retaining walls on the President George Bush Turnpike. A majority of the walls were found to be defective, the NTTA alleged. November 26, 2024Krista Torralva
Litigation Roundup: Google Goes After Ex-Engineer Over Allegedly Posting Trade Secrets Online - In this edition of Litigation Roundup, the U.S. Supreme Court agrees to review a Fifth Circuit decision against the Federal Communications Commission, we identify the Dallas lawyers who helped secure a nearly $100 million verdict for the family of Botham Jean, and Vedder Price is tapped to represent NFL quarterback Baker Mayfield in a $12 million family feud. November 26, 2024Michelle Casady
Marshall Jury Hits Samsung with $118M Verdict - A federal jury in Marshall found Samsung willfully infringed three patents owned by semiconductor manufacturer Netlist regarding computer memory modules. The verdict is the latest in a string of wins for Netlist against Samsung. November 25, 2024Krista Torralva
CDT Roundup: 15 Deals, 15 Firms, 153 Lawyers, $4.6B - For some, it may be too soon to talk about it, but business leaders are already weighing in on how their industries might be impacted by the election results. In one of the first survey’s we’ve seen, Endeavor Business Intelligence deployed a short questionnaire to U.S. business leaders on their perceptions of the upcoming change in administrations. There were 160 respondents, not bad for a one-week project; and the answers proved more complex than one might expect. That and the usual review of last week's reported transactions. November 25, 2024Allen Pusey
Centerpiece
Baker Botts, AZA, Akin, V&E Announce Associate Bonuses Up to $140K - Great news moms: If you raised young lawyers, you should expect expensive presents from your daughters and sons this Christmas. A dozen large corporate law firms operating in Texas have informed their associates that they will be receiving year-end bonuses ranging from $21,000 for first-year lawyers to $140,000 for associates in their eighth year, which will be up for partner next year. Combined with recent hikes in base salaries, the most senior associates this year will be paid more than $575,000. Two Houston-based firms — Baker Botts and AZA — are the most recent business-focused firms to announce year-end bonuses for the associates it employs in its seven U.S. offices. Legal analysts say that the bonuses paid to just those 1,600 associates will cost their respective law firms an estimated $80 million. November 25, 2024Mark Curriden
The 2024-25 Partner Promotion Announcements Have Begun - ’Tis the season of law firm partner promotions. Between October and February, dozens of corporate law firms officially announce the associates and counsel that they are promoting to equity and nonequity partners. Most of the announcements are made in December. The Texas Lawbook's Mark Curriden has the details on the latest announcements. November 25, 2024Mark Curriden
Expert Voices
Arizona Case Heightens ESOP Oversight Responsibilities of Company Directors - A recent decision in Arizona federal court shows that the directors of ESOP companies need to recognize that their interests and fiduciary duties are not always aligned with those of the ESOP investment banker (who is providing them guidance), the ESOP trustee and the ESOP advisors. This article highlights the key takeaways from a closely-watched case by the industry, Su v. Bensen. November 25, 2024John Kober
Evil Robots and Data Privacy - This article contemplates an artificial intelligence hypothetical given to a dozen Silicon Valley attorneys at an annual meeting of in-house lawyers and general counsel. The takeaway: as AI expands, it will increasingly become necessary for attorneys and their clients to understand exactly what tools are available to them to improve their models and avoid an increasing number of ethical and legal pitfalls. November 19, 2024Ryan Riegg
Stories You Might’ve Missed
- The Dallas Morning News, The Texas Lawbook Form News Partnership - The Texas Lawbook, the largest and most influential legal publication in Texas with more than 16,000 paid subscribers, is expanding its reach into the Texas business community with a new content partnership with The Dallas Morning News. October 3, 2024Mark Curriden