An Email is Still Not a Contract — SCOTX
Emails can be useful tools for negotiation, but they aren't definitive until both sides agree they are, wrote Nathan Hecht in Chalker Energy Partners III v. Le Norman Operating. Janet Elliott has details.
Houston-based BMC Software buys Compuware for reported $2B
The KKR-backed buyer used Simpson Thacher attorneys in New York along with BMC’s general counsel.
SCOTX: ‘General Easements’ Aren’t a Problem Until They Are
Seventy years ago, utility companies were routinely granted easements across private property of no fixed width. Those "general easements" have become a concern for landowners who fear they give the companies too much power over their private land. Last week, the Supreme Court of Texas ruled on such a case made by three North Texas landowners. Their ruling offered sympathy, but not a lot of help.
Two Texas Plaintiffs Firms Score $11.85M Settlement in FCA Case
Lawyers for Dallas-based Baron & Budd and Austin-based Slack Davis worked with federal prosecutors to force Sanofi-Aventis U.S. to pay $11.85 million to settle charges that the pharmaceutical company violated the federal False Claims Act by paying kickbacks to Medicare patients though a nonprofit patient assistance program.
Latham Advises on Another MLP Simplification Deal Worth $4B
Partner Ryan Maierson and his team aided Shell Midstream’s conflicts committee on eliminating incentive distribution rights and general partner interests and acquiring assets from sponsor Royal Dutch Shell, the second such transaction he’s worked on in a 24-hour period.
Texas GC Forum Honors SMU’s Paul Ward
Southern Methodist University General Counsel Paul Ward received the 19th Annual Robert H. Dedman Award for Ethics and Law this week from the Texas General Counsel Forum. The Texas Lawbook has details.
Latham Advises Equitrans on Transformative Moves Valued at $10.45B
The actions include acquiring affiliate EQM Midstream, which is part of a continuing trend of companies and sponsors simplifying or eliminating their master limited partnerships.
‘Call of Duty’ Copyright Infringement Suit Will Continue in Eastern District
A federal judge in East Texas is allowing a Houston wrestler’s copyright infringement lawsuit against the publisher of the “Call of Duty” video game to move forward after declining Wednesday to dismiss it. Natalie Posgate has the details.
SCOTX: A Tale of Two Lawyers
Two cases decided by the Texas Supreme Court last week involved lawsuits against lawyers. One involved representational immunity, the other criminal defense malpractice. Not all they had to say favored lawyers. Janet Elliott explains.
Regional Law School Enrollment Declines — But Only Slightly
Regional law school enrollment experienced a decline of less than 1% between 2018 and 2019, according to the American Bar Association. However, two schools increased enrollment by more than 6% and neither of them was the University of Texas.