Irving Subprime Auto-loan Firm Gets New Owner
Private equity continues to circle subprime loans and distressed debt opportunities as an investor group led by Warburg Pincus buys out Blackstone funds in Irving's Exeter Finance.
SCOTX: The World’s Largest Retail Operation Is Not a ‘Seller’
When is a seller not a seller in Texas? When it advertises products online, takes money for them and delivers them to customers, according to the Texas Supreme Court. That opinion was delivered Friday in response to a certified question regarding Amazon.com from the U.S. Fifth Circuit. It was not a unanimous view, as The Lawbook's Allen Pusey explains.
SCOTX Reaches ‘Wayback’ To Reject Narrowing of Out-of-State Jurisdiction
Invoking a web archive and a social media page as evidence of "purposeful availment," the Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday that a Connecticut company could be sued in Texas, despite its claim that it never had any intention of doing business here.
Small Refineries Win What May Be A Short-Lived Victory
A 6-3 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in a Texas-based case offers a reprieve for small refineries seeking "hardship exemptions" from increasingly strict EPA renewable fuel standards. But with a change in presidential administrations, the relief may prove short-lived. Lawbook Supreme Court correspondent Tony Mauro explains.
SCOTX Refuses to Dismiss Houston Sex Trafficking Case Against Facebook
The Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday that some – but not all – allegations in three separate lawsuits brought against Facebook by three teenagers who say they were victims of sexual predators can move forward to trial Houston. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act does not provide absolute immunity to internet providers such as Facebook in civil lawsuits when their own “misdeeds” are part of the allegation, justices said.
5 Questions With Hunton AK’s Courtney Cochran Butler: An ESG Overview and Its Relationship to Issuers
Anticipation around forthcoming ESG regulation has left issuers, banks and investors in limbo. Hunton Andrews Kurth's Courtney Cochran Butler breaks down what's front of mind for issuers awaiting guidance and further considerations in this interview with The Texas Lawbook.
Updated: Houston Jury Awards TeamHealth $19.1M in Trial Over ER Doc Pay
A closely-watched trial among healthcare insurers concluded Thursday with a $19.1 million verdict awarded to two emergency medicine group practices affiliated with TeamHealth. But lawyers for the defendant, Molina Healthcare of Texas, said the verdict will be significantly reduced and the new figure falls closely in line with what their client was willing to reimburse.
Fort Worth Oil Company Wins ‘Use It or Lose It’ Challenge to Permian Basin Leases
Centralia Permian, represented by Alston & Bird, prevailed in a Midland County jury trial over a Fortune 500 company’s failure to produce oil and gas ‘in paying quantities’ from a previously fruitful oilfield.
CDT Roundup: 28 Deals, 8 Firms, 228 Lawyers, $16.8B
Texas private equity is heading further upstream with its capital as buyout shops look to dodge swollen valuations. And last week, a flood of securities transactions led the Corporate Deal Tracker.
Haynes and Boone Announces Associate Comp Increases
The number of law firms operating in Texas increasing annual salaries for associates continued to grow Tuesday. At least 19 firms with offices in Dallas, Austin and Houston are boosting associate compensation. The Texas Lawbook has the details.