Fifth Circuit: Sachse Police Denied Immunity, Face Jury Trial in 2010 Shooting

Eighteen federal appellate judges. An 11-6-1 split. A majority decision by Judge Patrick Higginbotham. Five separate blistering dissenting opinions. Some dissenters even poke at each other. In all, 75 pages of wisdom from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit about qualified immunity. The result: two Sachse police officers will stand trial for allegations that they used excessive force and fabricated evidence in the 2010 shooting of Ryan Cole of Garland.

August 21, 2019 Mark Curriden

Latham, Bracewell Assist on Pembina’s $3.3B Purchase of Kinder Morgan Canada, Cochin Pipeline

As The Lawbook previously reported, analysts thought Houston-based Kinder Morgan might sell its remaining stake in Kinder Morgan Canada after encountering opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline project. Now it has, and Claire Poole has the scoop.

August 21, 2019 Claire Poole

Appeals Court Awards $4M to PE Firm in Insurance Dispute

In a 36-page ruling, the Dallas Court of Appeals on Monday ruled for a Southlake-based private equity firm that was in a dispute with its insurer after it denied coverage related to a legal battle with one of its ex-execs. Natalie Posgate explains.

August 21, 2019 Natalie Posgate

SAExploration Fires GC, Dismisses CEO Amid SEC Probe

The SEC is investigating Houston-based SAExploration Holdings for allegedly providing “material misstatements” and misleading financial information to investors and the federal agency over the past four years. In response, the oilfield services company says it will cooperate with the SEC, is restating past financial reports, has fired its general counsel and has removed its chairman and chief executive officer.

August 21, 2019 Mark Curriden

Bankruptcies = Big Dollars, Big Risks for Texas Corporate Law Firms

Nine corporate law firms in Texas have added lawyers to their bankruptcy practices and 20 other firms are aggressively recruiting experienced restructuring partners. Legal and financial advisors believe a surge of business bankruptcies is heading toward Texas and there is big money to be made representing clients in deep economic distress.

August 20, 2019 Mark Curriden

CDT Roundup: 10 Deals, 5 Firms, 52 Lawyers, $1.68B

Deal flow involving Texas lawyers was slower than slow this past week. But better times may be ahead, with one firm predicting an increase in North American transactions in the second half of 2019, particularly in energy and power, materials and consumer/retail. Claire Poole reports.

August 19, 2019 Claire Poole

Fifth Circuit Hands Win to TX Billionaire for Due Process Violations by Moroccan Court

In addition to the compelling elements the case brings - royal intrigue, a foreign proceeding, a billionaire, and even a death threat - the case involves novel legal issues that any appellate lawyer would gobble up. Natalie Posgate explains.

August 16, 2019 Natalie Posgate

Judge Awards $339M in Home Healthcare Fraud Qui Tam Action

A federal judge in Dallas on Wednesday ordered four healthcare professionals to pay the federal government $339.4 million in a whistleblower action tied to one of the largest home healthcare fraud cases in U.S. history.

August 15, 2019 Natalie Posgate

Six Forest Park Defendants Seek Acquittals or New Hearings

In separate pleadings filed last week, six of the defendants found guilty in the spring for their roles in a bribery and kickback scheme at the now-defunct Forest Park Medical Center are asking the U.S. District Court in Dallas for judgments of acquittal or, alternatively, new trials. Texas Lawbook correspondent Bruce Tomaso provides a summary of the arguments.

August 15, 2019 Bruce Tomaso

Firm Report: E&P Bankruptcies On Rise

Bankruptcies have hit North American oil and gas explorers and producers harder than oilfield service and midstream operators over the last four-and-a-half years, with an uptick so far this year, according to Haynes and Boone.

August 14, 2019 Claire Poole