Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

July 27, 2007 | National Law Journal

Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis is in merger negotiations with Dallas-based Hughes & Luce, with plans calling for a possible combination of the firms by the end of the year. Peter Kalis, chairman and managing partner of K&L Gates, says there is "enormous amount of enthusiasm" for the deal within his firm. The firms went public with the talks in order to stave off the rumor mill, says Edward Coultas, managing partner of Hughes & Luce: "Once you put anything out among two lawyers, it's out."

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

5 minute read

July 13, 2009 | Texas Lawyer

Community involvement is not only allowed but encouraged at The Woodlands Development Co., which provides a fitting corporate culture for the nature of General Counsel Karen West (pictured) as she completes 25 years in her third distinct career.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

8 minute read

April 18, 2011 | Texas Lawyer

Houston lawyer Robert S. Bennett has filed a fraud suit alleging a former contract lawyer overcharged him for some work she did over several weeks beginning in October 2009. Bennett alleges in the April 11 petition that Sherri R. Katz, without an agreement on "costs or billing," submitted an invoice to The Bennett Law Firm, stating Bennett personally owed her a total of $35,833 for 143.33 hours of work at an hourly rate of $250.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

4 minute read

October 24, 2006 | Law.com

At a Monday hearing where Jeffrey Skilling continued to proclaim his innocence, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake sentenced the former Enron CEO to more than 24 years in prison, a term at the low end of a range set by federal sentencing guidelines. In May, a jury found Skilling guilty of 19 criminal charges stemming from Enron's collapse. Lake also approved a settlement that would provide money to plaintiffs in litigation filed by shareholders and employees who lost money through Enron's retirement plans.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

5 minute read

October 14, 2005 | Texas Lawyer

Two survivors and the family of a woman who died because of a bus fire that killed 23 senior citizens from Bellaire filed suits in state court in Hidalgo County against defendants that include the bus company, the driver and others.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

2 minute read

February 14, 2005 | Texas Lawyer

For the past five years, 184th District Judge Jan Krocker, who handles felony criminal cases, has thought about establishing a special court in Harris County to supervise mentally ill probationers. Her dream is moving closer to reality.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

5 minute read

May 26, 2006 | Law.com

On Thursday, a federal jury in Houston found former Enron Chairman Kenneth Lay guilty of all six criminal charges against him and found former CEO Jeffrey Skilling guilty of 19 of 28 charges against him. Planning a "full and vigorous appeal," Skilling's lead defense lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli, said, "We've just begun the fight." Lawyers who observed the trial are split on the odds of a successful appeal, but say that the judge's instructions to the jury to consider "willful blindness" may help the defense.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

10 minute read

November 16, 2010 | Law.com

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

2 minute read

March 13, 2006 | Texas Lawyer

Michael Ramsey, Kenneth Lay's criminal-defense attorney, hammered hard on witness Andrew Fastow's credibility and honesty during his March 13 cross-examination of Fastow, the former chief financial officer of Houston's Enron Corp. who has pleaded guilty to two criminal charges in connection with the investigation into the tragic collapse of the former high-flying energy company.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

5 minute read

September 14, 2009 | Texas Lawyer

Legal bloggers writing about intellectual property matters are sure to take note of a trial set to start on Sept. 14 in Tyler. It pits East Texas intellectual property litigator Eric Albritton against Silicon Valley tech company Cisco Systems Inc.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

8 minute read