CDT Roundup: Sempra Deals Lead Another $22.8B Week
The week ending Sept. 27 had 16 deals reported with an overall value of nearly $22.8 billion led by $17 billion in in just two transactions by one of the largest utility builders in North America.
EDTX Jury Hits Samsung with $78.5M Verdict in Infringement Case
Anonymous Media Research Holdings had filed suit against Samsung Electronics Co. and Samsung Electronics America in September 2023, alleging infringement of two patents covering technology used to measure media consumption. U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap presided over the case that began with jury selection Monday and ended with Friday’s verdict. A related patent infringement case brought by Anonymous Media has been filed in the Northern District of California, and is currently on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria granted Roku’s motion for judgment on the pleadings in that case on Sept. 12.
Jackson Walker Strikes 2 More Proposed Settlements in Bankruptcy Fee Cases
Strike Liquidating Trust and Auto Plus Auto Sales are among a handful of companies that have reached proposed settlements with Jackson Walker. Most recently, JCPenney reached a potential $1.4 million settlement with the law firm.
Auto Parts Financial Arm Files Bankruptcy in SDTX
In one of the largest and most complex corporate bankruptcy filings in Texas this year, the financial arm of global auto parts seller First Brands Group sought Chapter 11 protection today in the Southern District of Texas, citing between $1 billion and $10 billion in liabilities but only $500 million to $1 billion in assets. Weil is advising the debtors.
DBA Honors Texas Lawbook, WFAA-TV with 2025 Philbin Award
The Dallas Bar Association announced Thursday that Texas Lawbook reporter Mark Curriden is the recipient of the 2025 Stephen Philbin Award for excellence in legal reporting for his coverage of President Donald Trump’s executive orders taking aim at Big Law. The judges said, “The Texas Lawbook courageously reported on an issue of extraordinary concern and little mainstream awareness. They reported extensively and comprehensively on a subject of paramount importance to the rule of law."
AT&T, Nokia Get $166.3M Infringement Verdict Axed
Chief Judge Kimberly A. Moore authored the court’s 15-page opinion that was issued Wednesday. She wrote that Jonathan Wells, who was Finesse’s infringement expert at trial, “offered no clear or detailed explanation for his contradictory testimony.” A jury had awarded Finesse the lump sum damages after finding AT&T and Nokia infringed two patents related to intermodulation interference, a longstanding problem for wireless networks.
Asked & Answered with Dykema’s Melanie Fry: Cherry Coke, Community Park Project and Carrying a Legacy
Asked & Answered is a standing feature The Texas Lawbook brings to readers every other week highlighting the work of leading Texas lawyers and offering insight into their lives outside the courtroom. In this edition, Dykema member Melanie Fry discusses the best advice she has received and the trends she sees in her appellate practice.
Dr. Phil Testifies in Merit Street Media Bankruptcy Case
Taut testimony was heard from Dr. Phil McGraw Tuesday in the bankruptcy case of his Merit Street Media. He will continue testifying Thursday. The hearing that began Sept. 16 and has spanned several days is expected to end on Monday.
Texas Judge Tosses $112M Infringement Verdict Against Samsung
In a three-page order, U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder III granted Samsung’s motion for judgment as a matter of law that it had not infringed asserted claims in three patents covering technology used in smart phones and smart home appliances. The judge also invalidated asserted claims in two of the patents in the Sept. 18 order.
Sempra Sells Controlling Interest to KKR, CPP for $10B; Gives Nod to $12B FID for Port Arthur LNG Phase 2
Sullivan & Cromwell, Baker Botts, Simpson Thacher and Kirkland & Ellis advised on the deals, designed to simplify and refocus Sempra on its development as a global exporter of LNG.