AT&T’s Alan Dorantes – The Busiest Corporate Lawyer in Texas

Alan Dorantes worked on the set of Oliver Stone’s "Born on the Fourth of July." He was once Matthew Broderick’s stand-in and he is almost certainly the only corporate lawyer in Texas with an award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The AT&T senior counsel is a national expert on diversity in the legal profession and is involved in several groundbreaking public service projects in Texas. He's also packing his bags and leaving town.

January 7, 2020 Mark Curriden

Being Gary Kennedy – A Sky-High Career of Challenges and Achievements

Former American Airlines GC Gary Kennedy was at the center of extraordinary growth, extreme tumult and radical change at one of the world’s largest commercial airlines. He implemented groundbreaking mandatory pro bono and diversity efforts. He navigated American through the tidal wave of litigation set in motion after the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks and negotiated an historic agreement that settled a decades-long dispute with Southwest Airlines regarding Dallas Love Field. Most of all, Kennedy guided American through one of the largest, most complex and financially successful bankruptcies in U.S. history.

January 7, 2020 Mark Curriden

‘Landslide’ Luna’s Lifetime of Achievements

Chris Luna won his Dallas City Council election by 156 votes, earning him the nickname Landslide Luna. Now chief counsel for Metro by T-Mobile, Luna is one of the leading and most influential voices in the Texas corporate legal community. During his 35-year career, Luna has played a critical role in several major corporate transactions and advocated tirelessly for increased diversity in the legal profession. The Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW Chapter and The Texas Lawbook are honored to give the 2019 Outstanding Corporate Counsel Award for Lifetime Achievement to John Christopher Luna.

January 6, 2020 Mark Curriden

DFW M&A Deal of the Year and Pro Bono/Public Service Finalists

The Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW Chapter and The Texas Lawbook announced Monday the finalists for both the 2019 Pro Bono and Public Service Award and the M&A Deal of the Year Award.

December 30, 2019 Mark Curriden

Updated – Halliburton Names Van Beckwith its Next General Counsel

Halliburton GC Robb Voyles is being promoted to CLO and he has named Baker Botts litigation partner Van Beckwith as his successor. The Texas Lawbook has exclusive interviews with Voyles and Beckwith, who is relocating to Houston and starting the new position Jan. 1.

December 17, 2019 Mark Curriden

Dearth of Legal Aid for Low-Income Texans ‘Really Dire’

Texas Chief Justice Nathan Hecht says the number of Texans needing legal assistance but who cannot afford an attorney is increasing so fast that the state's legal profession is not equipped to handle the demand for basic legal services for military veterans, abused spouses and children and other low-income residents. Even so, new Texas Lawbook data shows that most corporate law firms in Texas are not doing their share of pro bono work, even as those same firms achieve record profits. The solution may rest with in-house corporate legal departments and general counsel. The Texas Lawbook has an in-depth report.

October 31, 2019 Mark Curriden

Nominations Open for 2019 DFW Outstanding Corporate Counsel Awards

The Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW Chapter and The Texas Lawbook are officially accepting nominations for the 2019 Outstanding Corporate Counsel Awards, which recognize the best of the best legal work being performed by corporate in-house counsel. There are 14 categories this year, including three categories that also recognize successful partnerships between general counsel and their outside law firms. The Lawbook has full details.

October 3, 2019 Mark Curriden

The 2019 Magna Stella Award Goes To…

The Texas GC Forum chose in-house lawyers at AT&T, Boeing Global Services, ExxonMobil, Platinum Dermatology, Southwestern Energy and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas to receive the Magna Stella Award. The biggest winner is Houston-based Mattress Firm. The Texas Lawbook has the names.

August 12, 2019 Mark Curriden

Stream GC Daniel Terrell: ‘Herculean Effort’ Results in Successful Divestiture

For the past seven months, Stream Energy GC Daniel Terrell was laser focused on his company’s $330 million sale to Houston-based utility NRG Energy. In an exclusive interview, Terrell said the deal “was incredibly complex and challenging." The Texas Lawbook has exclusive details.

August 12, 2019 Mark Curriden

Worldwide Flight Services GC Baron Oursler’s ‘Crazy Year’

The past six months have been a whirlwind for Baron Oursler. He played a critical role in the sale of his employer, FleetPride, to a New York private equity firm. His wife gave birth to their first child, who was born six weeks prematurely and spent a month in the hospital. And he recently started a new job as GC of Worldwide Flight Services. The Texas Lawbook has the inside details.

July 25, 2019 Mark Curriden