Jackson Walker, GWG Bankruptcy Trustee Reach $405,000 Settlement

The litigation trustee in the GWG Holdings bankruptcy dispute has asked a federal judge to approve a $405,000 out-of-court settlement agreement with the law firm Jackson Walker related to the scandal involving former Houston Bankruptcy Judge David Jones.

The GWG litigation trustee is the seventh party to reach a proposed settlement with Jackson Walker, which is accused of knowing about and failing to disclose a secret romantic relationship between one of its former bankruptcy partners, Elizabeth Freeman, and Judge Jones.

October 3, 2025 Mark Curriden

GWG Bondholders Slam Dismissal Bids in RICO Suit

In four separate filings, GWG bondholders this week spoke out forcefully against requests from Jackson Walker, Porter Hedges, David Jones and Elizabeth Freeman to dismiss racketeering claims against them, doubling down on allegations that each party was enriched by keeping secret a “live-in, intimate relationship” between then-bankruptcy judge Jones and bankruptcy lawyer Freeman. 

October 3, 2025 Michelle Casady

U.S. Trustee Again Voices Disapproval for Jackson Walker Bankruptcy Settlement

A filing this week marked the second time the U.S. Trustee’s Office, referred to as the watchdog of the bankruptcy system, has urged the presiding judge to reject proposed settlements the Dallas-based law firm has reached with its former bankruptcy clients.

October 1, 2025 Michelle Casady

Judge Says He Has Lost Sleep in Dr. Phil Bankruptcy Case, Takes Motion to Dismiss Under Advisement

The two-week-long hearing in the Dr. Phil McGraw bankruptcy case concluded Monday afternoon. Counsel presented their closing arguments to the Northern District bankruptcy court on whether the case should be dismissed or converted to a Chapter 7.

September 30, 2025 Alexa Shrake

Jackson Walker Strikes 2 More Proposed Settlements in Bankruptcy Fee Cases

Strike Liquidating Trust and Auto Plus Auto Sales are among a handful of companies that have reached proposed settlements with Jackson Walker. Most recently, JCPenney reached a potential $1.4 million settlement with the law firm.

September 26, 2025 Michelle Casady

David Jones Wants GWG Bondholders’ RICO Suit Tossed

The former jurist who resigned his position in the Southern District of Texas in the wake of reporting about his previously secret romantic relationship with a bankruptcy lawyer told the court he is entitled to complete immunity from the lawsuit brought by aggrieved GWG bondholders. “There can be no genuine dispute that Jones is entitled to absolute immunity from civil lawsuits arising from his role as a judicial mediator in the GWG bankruptcy cases under applicable law,” the motion to dismiss reads. (File photo by Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

September 17, 2025 Michelle Casady

Freeman Seeks Dismissal of GWG Bondholders’ RICO Suit

Elizabeth Freeman and her law firm filed the 54-page dismissal motion, which includes more than 1,000 pages of exhibits, on Tuesday. The bondholders had filed suit in June, alleging she was among a group of individuals working “together to prey upon distressed entities for their own financial gain.” 

August 26, 2025 Michelle Casady

U.S. Trustee Opposes Jackson Walker Bankruptcy Settlements, Seeks Trial and Stronger Penalties

The federal government’s bankruptcy court watchdog asked a federal judge Friday to reject efforts by Jackson Walker to individually settle claims against it involving the law firm’s critical role in the secret romance scandal between one of its partners and former Houston Bankruptcy Judge David Jones.

August 16, 2025 Mark Curriden

Bondholders Call for Judge Isgur to Recuse from GWG Holdings Bankruptcy Case

GWG Holdings bondholders call for U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur to step away from the case, alleging he is protecting David Jones, a former bankruptcy judge, and Elizabeth Freeman, a former Jackson Walker partner with whom Jones had an undisclosed romantic relationship. 

August 7, 2025 Alexa Shrake

Sungard AS, Jackson Walker Reach Bankruptcy Fee Settlement

Information technology company Sungard AS New Holdings has asked the court to approve a $385,000 settlement it reached with Jackson Walker that would end its bankruptcy fee dispute with the Dallas-based law firm. This marks back-to-back weeks companies involved in the bankruptcy fee dispute have asked the court to approve settlements with the firm.

August 1, 2025 Michelle Casady