Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

September 28, 2007 |

Texas lawyers, mostly plaintiffs attorneys, were big individual contributors to statewide and legislative candidates in Texas during the 2006 "gubernatorial election cycle." Fred Baron and Lisa Blue, partners in Baron & Blue in Dallas, are in the third spot on the list, contributing $2.1 million. Ninth on the list is John M. O'Quinn of Houston, who gave $1.1 million to candidates.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

2 minute read

November 04, 2009 |

Professor Gerald Treece noted that O'Quinn had conquered the "monster of alcoholism" more than a decade ago, but he was still fighting the "monster of low self-esteem," despite his tremendous success as a trial lawyer. O'Quinn's pastor asked the more than 2,000 people who attended the funeral to pray for O'Quinn and described him as a man of "overwhelming contradictions."

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

3 minute read

October 22, 2009 |

Many incoming first-year associates at large law firms are dealing with months of unexpected free time because their firms have delayed their start dates from the fall of 2009 to January 2010 or later. While some are vacationing or relaxing after taking their bar exam, others have found jobs, either on their own or with the assistance of their firms. Here are five "What I Did on My Deferral" stories from incoming first-year associates at Texas firms.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

12 minute read

February 23, 2000 |

When Lawrence O'Donnell III moved into the general counsel office at Houston's Waste Management Inc., he inherited a company with a struggling stock price, an accumulation of shareholder suits alleging insider trading and some serious fraud litigation. That's not to mention an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and an in-house probe led by a board member who used to head the SEC. O'Donnell says he took the job because of the challenges. "I see it all as an opportunity."

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

7 minute read

October 22, 2007 |

When a claim of patent infringement is a necessary element of a legal malpractice suit, those suits should be tried in federal court, the Federal Circuit has ruled in a case of first impression. The appeals court upheld a ruling that denied a request by Akin Gump and a Corpus Christi, Texas-based firm to remand a malpractice suit to state court. The opinion may lead to all sorts of legal malpractice suits being filed or tried in federal courts instead of state courts.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys and John Council

10 minute read

July 25, 2011 |

In the 2011 legislative marathon in Austin that ended after a 30-day special session on June 29, Texas lawyers who lobby and their clients had to settle for what they could get. That's because state funding deficit woes and redistricting made getting attention for clients' wish lists a difficult proposition. John "Jack" Erskine of K&L Gates lobbied for The Boeing Co., Department of Public Safety Officers Association, and Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers among other clients.

By Miriam Rozen and Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

5 minute read

September 06, 2010 |

In two cases decided Aug. 27, the Texas Supreme Court issued opinions that could directly impact lawyers' practices.

By Mary Alice Robbins and Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

4 minute read

September 01, 2010 |

Two plaintiffs in an insurance coverage suit pending in a Florida federal court allege Houston litigator Kenneth G. Engerrand coached a witness when he touched her foot with his during a deposition, and they've submitted photo evidence with a disqualification motion. The motion alleges that a paralegal heard a "clicking sound" and "noted that Mr. Engerrand was tapping the foot" of a witness "at different points after questions were asked." In a response, Engerrand's client called the motion "meritless."

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

5 minute read

August 14, 2003 |

Without comment, the Texas Supreme Court has denied a petition for writ of mandamus sought by Republican state officials in an effort to force 11 Democratic state senators who fled to New Mexico back to the state Senate to work on congressional redistricting. The court's action came about 2 1/2 hours after Democrats argued that the state's highest civil court lacks jurisdiction to consider such a mandamus.

By Mary Alice Robbins and Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

5 minute read

November 17, 2006 |

Former Enron Chief Accounting Officer Richard Causey, who pleaded guilty nearly a year ago to securities fraud, was sentenced on Wednesday to 5 1/2 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Sim Lake of Houston also sentenced Causey to two years of supervised release, fined him $25,000 and ruled that the $1.25 million Causey agreed to forfeit as part of a plea bargain is appropriate. Kathryn Ruemmler, an Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted Causey, admitted that he provided some cooperation in the case.

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys

4 minute read