Fewer Texas Corporate Counsel Faced Lawsuits Last Year than In-House Lawyers Reported Nationally
A Norton Rose Fulbright study shows state in-house lawyers see less risk ahead in workplace, other dispute areas.
Business Court Proposal Focused on Areas with Elected Democrats
House Bill 19 was amended during floor debate to target the new system for complex business cases towards urban areas where the courts have shifted in recent election cycles from Republicans to Democrats. The House rejected a proposed amendment to have the specialty court judges elected rather than appointed by the governor.
Texas Employment Lawyers Talk FTC’s Proposed Noncompete Ban
The Texas Lawbook recently spoke to labor and employment lawyers in Texas about the proposal and what it would mean for both their employer clients and the litigation landscape statewide should the rule go into effect. The comment period, which was extended for an additional month because of the number of comments received, closed April 19 and garnered 26,814 responses.
Litigation Roundup: $105M IP Win Reduced to $3 For Austin Co., SCOTX Clarifies Life Insurance Rules
In this edition of Litigation Roundup, a widow asks the Texas Supreme Court to decide that she owns space artifacts that belonged to her astronaut husband, the high court clarifies the contours of when insurers can avoid liability under life insurance policies and a huge win for an Austin company gets undone by a federal judge in Michigan.
Mark Lanier, On the Record
W. Mark Lanier, founder of The Lanier Law Firm, is recognized nationally for winning big personal injury and product liability claims against major corporations. But he also has represented clients in fraud, breach of contract and other forms of business litigation, the type of lawsuits that could be steered to a new system of business courts being considered by Texas lawmakers this year.
Lanier recently discussed his decision to publicly oppose the business court bill with The Texas Lawbook.
Group of Plaintiff Lawyers, Most from Texas, Throw Support Behind $8.9B J&J Plan
An ad hoc committee of lawyers who represent about 55,000 talc claimants alleging Johnson & Johnson products caused their cancer have told a bankruptcy judge in New Jersey that they support the company’s plan to establish an $8.9 billion trust to pay out the claims. Many well-known plaintiffs firms from Texas have joined the committee, but one has stayed quiet: Mark Lanier.
Backlash to Business Court Bill Unites Litigators from Both Sides of the Docket
A rare alliance between groups representing trial lawyers and defense counsel is raising constitutional questions and other concerns about legislation that would create a new system of trial and appellate courts for high-dollar business disputes. House Bill 19 appears on track for House floor debate as soon as next week.
Litigation Roundup: Texas Hammer-based Prejudice Claim Tossed, Chevron Beats a Uri Gas Delivery Suit
In this edition of Litigation Roundup: Uvalde police officers lawyer up in the suit over the Robb Elementary shooting; Fifth Circuit determines discussion of “The Texas Hammer,” during jury selection didn’t taint the outcome of a trial and Pappas Restaurants’ fight over losing a $470 million contract heats up.
Judge Barbara Lynn to Take Senior Status
U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn, who served as chief judge of the Northern District of Texas from 2016 to 2022, has informed President Joe Biden that she is taking senior status effective May 15.
Judge Lynn, who was nominated to the federal bench in 1999 by President Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a voice vote, told The Texas Lawbook that she has no plans to reduce her caseload but is “simply making room for another appointment for our court.”
Houston City Attorney Arturo Michel: ‘Do More with Less’
The son of Mexican immigrants, Arturo Michel grew up in Chicago, earned a degree from University of Michigan Law School, worked in San Antonio for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and then moved to Houston to work at Bracewell in its public law group for 18 years. Michel is now in his second tour as Houston City Attorney. The Texas Lawbook interviewed Michel about his biggest challenges, the current legislative session and what he seeks in outside counsel.