The Texas Lawbook

Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury

Top Story

Judge Reed O’Connor is the ‘Go-To Judge’ for Political Conservatives

U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor has become the federal judge that Republican state attorneys general and politically conservative special interest groups across the U.S. turn to when they want a federal law or policy overturned or banned. And he has not disappointed. Legal experts say that O’Connor’s decision Friday striking down the Affordable Care Act made him an automatic finalist for future openings on the federal appeals court.

Mark Curriden

CDT Roundup: 10 Deals, 8 Law Firms, 26 Texas Lawyers, $2.86B

With a new year barreling in, what do we expect of 2019? Well, maybe a slow start, at least in IPOs. New issues are likely down for 2018, and though their value is up, that might not continue. Still, in a slow starting season there are a few issues that may hit the market soon. The Lawbook's Claire Poole has the names and numbers in her weekly CDT Roundup

Claire Poole

Neiman Marcus Countersues Creditor Hedge Fund

Neiman Marcus countered a $1 billion fraudulent transfer lawsuit filed by one of its debtholders, charging that the suit is part of an illegal scheme for the debtholder to injure the Dallas-based luxury retailer and “extract improper benefits for itself.” The Lawbook's Natalie Posgate details the new litigation.

Natalie Posgate

Patent Suit Against Baylor Rejected After UT Refused to Join as Plaintiff

Baylor College of Medicine and the inventor of a cancer immunotherapy won, in effect, dismissal of a patent-infringement suit when a federal judge ruled that Baylor rival, the University of Texas, had a sovereign right to refuse to participate as a plaintiff. The loser: the company that tried to drag UT into the litigation. Natalie Posgate explains.

Natalie Posgate

TX Supremes Weigh Reliance on Contracts v. Texas Law

Mercedes-Benz is asking the Texas Supreme Court to declare that signed written contracts are sacrosanct and override all extra-contractual statements, even if those extra-contractual promises amount to felony fraud, directly contradict Legislative policy and cause severe financial harm to a Texas business. The Texas Lawbook has details.

Mark Curriden

SEC: Houston Developers Fraudulently Misused Investor Funds

The SEC announced Wednesday that America Modern Green Senior, America Modern Green Community and America Modern Green Residential have agreed to settle charges that they improperly used $49.5 million they raised from 90 Chinese investors for a project under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

Mark Curriden

Gray Reed Closes Syngenta Case with $1.51B Settlement

A Kansas federal judge Friday approved what may be the largest agricultural settlement in U.S. history. It marks the end of a four-year legal battle in which farmers alleged Syngenta released genetically modified corn into the marketplace, causing major disruptions in the corn trade between the U.S. and China. A Dallas attorney took part in the deal.

Natalie Posgate

SEC Settles Fraud Charges with AriseBank Execs

The SEC announced Wednesday that AriseBank ex-chief executive officer Jared Rice Sr. and ex-chief operating officer Stanley Ford will pay about $2.7 million in disgorgements and penalties for operating a cryptocurrency scheme that used former heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield as a spokesperson.

Mark Curriden

CDT Roundup: 15 Deals, 16 Law Firms, 65 Texas Lawyers, $1.8B

Healthcare-centered private equity is on the brink of another record year. According to newly released data from Preqin, 585 healthcare-related deals had been announced through November worth $56 billion. The Lawbook's Claire Poole explains how Texas dealmakers fit into the picture, along with her weekly assessment of Texas deals.

Claire Poole

© Copyright 2025 The Texas Lawbook
The content on this website is protected under federal Copyright laws. Any use without the consent of The Texas Lawbook is prohibited.