Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

May 25, 2009 | Texas Lawyer

When Mayer Brown announced firmwide layoffs for economic reasons in April affecting 90 administrative employees and 45 lawyers (two of those were associates in Houston), it said it would take other steps to adjust staffing levels, such as delaying the start date for most incoming associates until January 2010. It also said it would seek placements with clients and pro bono groups for some laid-off associates.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

5 minute read

February 17, 2011 | Law.com

A number of Texas law firms got new leaders in the past year, and while they sought a seamless transition, they followed different routes to move from one managing partner to the next. The transition periods at firms Texas Lawyer talked to ranged from a few hours to three years.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

10 minute read

November 29, 2007 | Law.com

The woman who alleges that U.S. District Judge Samuel B. Kent sexually harassed her wants the 5th Circuit Judicial Council to take further action. The council admonished the judge in September in connection with the complaint by Kent's former case manager, Cathy McBroom. But McBroom's lawyer says the council didn't refer the complaint to the Judicial Conference of the United States, which can pursue additional options, including referring the matter to the House Judiciary Committee to initiate impeachment.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

5 minute read

May 10, 2011 | New York Law Journal

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

5 minute read

October 31, 2005 | Texas Lawyer

A former female associate at Godwin Gruber filed a federal civil-rights suit against the firm this month, alleging she was paid less than male associates with comparable or even less experience.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

5 minute read

November 02, 2001 | Law.com

Haunting memories of the Texas A&M University bonfire accident that claimed 12 lives and injured 27 people are being rekindled as lawyers hasten to file suit before the statute of limitations runs out. Why did the families wait this long? Some attribute it to the loyalty A&M generates among students and alumni. But Geno Borchardt, who just filed suit, believes the families were hoping the university would step up.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

8 minute read

October 02, 2007 | Law.com

The Judicial Council of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order Friday reprimanding and admonishing U.S. District Judge Samuel B. Kent of Texas. The order relates to a complaint of judicial misconduct lodged against the judge in May alleging sexual harassment toward an employee of the federal judicial system. Kent will face remedial action "including but not limited to the Judge's four-month leave of absence from the bench, reallocation of the Galveston/Houston docket and other measures."

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys and John Council

4 minute read

September 19, 2005 | Texas Lawyer

Sutton County's historic courthouse shares its design with four other Texas counties -- although only two of the look-alike courthouses, in Blanco and Concho counties, still stand. Noted courthouse architect Oscar Ruffini designed the Sutton County Courthouse in 1891.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

10 minute read

April 07, 2010 | Law.com

R. Allen Stanford got the new criminal defense lawyers he asked for, but not before the jailed Houston financier tested the patience of Senior U.S. District Judge David Hittner during a hearing on Tuesday. Hittner allowed Kent Schaffer and George McCall "Mac" Secrest Jr. to withdraw as Stanford's counsel and granted Stanford's motion to substitute Michael Essmyer and Bob Bennett. But after Stanford failed to answer Hittner's questions about his new attorneys with yes-and-no answers, Hittner told Stanford to "Have a seat!"

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

3 minute read

October 04, 2010 | Law.com

Nearly flat as a pancake -- that's an apt way to describe 2009 compensation compared to 2008's for Texas general counsel who are among the highest-paid executives at their companies. But that GC pay stacks up well compared to average profits per partner at the 25 highest-grossing firms in Texas.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

7 minute read