Arnold & Itkin and Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing are locked in a fight over whether AZA can continue representing Transocean in multidistrict litigation, or if an alleged conflict of interest and an alleged attempt to taint the jury pool mandate the firm’s disqualification. AZA argues there is no basis for disqualification.
Judge Vacates $260M Verdict Against Johnson & Johnson; Plaintiff’s Dallas-Based Lawyers Plan to Appeal
The state judge in Oregon did not immediately offer a reason for overturning a jury’s verdict in the trial for a woman who accused J&J’s talc-based baby powder of causing her mesothelioma. J&J’s worldwide vice president of litigation blasted Dean Omar Branham Shirley lawyers for “prejudicial conduct” that led to an “indefensible” verdict.
Samsung Hit With $192M Patent Infringement Verdict
A federal jury in Marshall found Samsung infringed on five patents obtained by California-based startup Mojo Mobility with the tech giant’s flagship smartphone Galaxy series and other products. Jurors awarded Mojo Mobility more than $192 million in damages and found that Samsung willfully infringed on at least one of the asserted claims.
Litigation Roundup: Court Wins for Porter Hedges, Holland & Knight and Pro Se Plaintiff Against Houston Methodist
The Texas Lawbook has two reporters in federal courts covering jury trials this week — Bruce Tomaso in Sherman following a civil rights trial and Krista Torralva in Marshall covering a big patent dispute. More from those cases this week.
But this week’s Litigation Roundup focuses on three court cases that resulted in two victories for the defense counsel and a federal appellate reversal for a white pro se plaintiff in a race discrimination lawsuit.
Texas Biz Courts are Open, But Filings Trickle In
In the four days since the Texas business courts opened for, well, business, only four cases have been filed. The high-dollar disputes will be adjudicated by new judges in the divisions covering Houston, Dallas and Austin. Attorneys from Bell Nunnally & Martin earned the title of first to file in the new courts.