David Yates News
Justices toss Jones Act suit alleging deckhand injured back while topping off generator
HOUSTON – A deckhand claiming that an engineer and not him should been pouring oil into a generator recently had his lawsuit tossed by the 14th Court of Appeals.
Appeal: False imprisonment claim against CenterPoint to continue, man arrested for trying to stop tree trimming
HOUSTON – A man claiming CenterPoint falsely imprisoned him for refusing to let the company trim an oak tree on his property recently had his claim reinstated by the 14th Court of Appeals.
Energy dealmaker Edmund Daniels joins McGuireWoods’ M&A Practice in Houston
HOUSTON – McGuireWoods continues expanding its nationally recognized energy industry capabilities with the arrival of Houston M&A partner Edmund Daniels, who has significant experience in senior leadership roles at major energy companies and financial firms.
Justices find trial court erred in denying KHOU-TV, Houston Chronicle motions to dismiss libel suit
HOUSTON – The 14th Court of Appeals found today that a trial court erred by denying motions to dismiss brought by KHOU-TV and the Houston Chronicle in a libel suit against the news outlets.
Justices affirm ruling ordering Houston Community College to hand over records
HOUSTON – The First Court of Appeals today affirmed a ruling denying a plea to the jurisdiction made by Houston Community College.
Houston law firm accused of selling out man seeking representation to Transocean
HOUSTON – An area law firm is being accused of notifying Transocean that one of its employees was seeking representation in a lawsuit against the company.
Paxton joins multistate coalition in case over photographer refusing bookings for same-sex weddings
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton joined a 14-state coalition in defense of religious liberty in a case in which the state of New York sought to punish a photographer, Emilee Carpenter, who chose to not accept bookings for same-sex weddings.
Son of Joel Osteen was using cell phone right before causing rear-end collision, court records state
HOUSTON – The son of Joel Osteen was interacting with his cell phone right before he rear-ended another vehicle, sending its occupants to the hospital, court records state.
Comal County Judge orders funeral funding for living 77-year-old under guardianship
NEW BRAUNFELS - A Comal County judge approved a request to fund prepaid funeral benefits for a New Braunfels woman under court-appointed guardianship who is still alive.
Consulting group trying to force arbitration losses out on appeal
HOUSTON – A consulting group that was hit with a restraining order for trying to initiate arbitration proceedings against another company recently lost an appeal over the issue.
O’Melveny expands into Texas
NEW YORK—To better support its clients and capitalize on key firm strengths, O’Melveny announced today the expansion of its footprint into Texas, a press release states.
Judge Kent Walston denied UPS a jury trial then levied a $27 million verdict against company, appellate brief states
BEAUMONT – After denying UPS a trial by jury, Judge Kent Walston, a district judge in Jefferson County, awarded the plaintiffs suing the company $27 million in damages for an auto collision that didn’t occur in Texas.
Sexual assault suit brought against Massage Envy
HOUSTON – A lawsuit alleging sexual assault has been brought against Guthrie Enterprises, which operates numerous Massage Envy locations.
Balch & Bingham Welcomes Energy Partner Todd Kimbrough; Announces Plans for Austin Office
AUSTIN – Balch & Bingham is pleased to announce the addition of Energy Partner Todd Kimbrough, who will lead the firm’s expansion into Austin, a press release states. Todd brings more than 16 years of experience advising energy clients on electricity and natural gas regulations and economic issues associated with energy infrastructure and market design.
Leading money-in-politics data nonprofits merge to form OpenSecrets, a state-of-the-art democratic accountability organization
WASHINGTON — The nation’s two leading money-in-politics data organizations have joined forces to help Americans hold their leaders accountable at the federal and state levels, a press release states.
Texas Legislature passes pandemic liability protections bill
AUSTIN – The Pandemic Liability Protection Act has passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature by supermajorities.
Sugar Land company slammed with massive $222 Million verdict for burning man alive
FORT BEND - A Texas jury has issued a $222 million verdict against Team Industrial Services (TEAM) for the death of Jesse Henson at the Jeffrey Energy Center power plant in Kansas, a press release states.
Wrongful death suit alleging defective forklift crushed man brought against Georgia Pacific, others
HOUSTON – A wrongful death lawsuit has been brought against Georgia Pacific and several other companies.
Justices issue mandate in case alleging woman delivered baby into hospital toilet
BEAUMONT – Back in December, the Ninth Court of Appeals affirmed a ruling rejecting an expert report offered by Christus Health Southeast Texas in a lawsuit brought by a patient who delivered her baby into a toilet while admitted to St. Elizabeth Hospital.
Affirmed: Dismissal of barratry suits against law firms over alleged BP oil spill solicitation
HOUSTON – Hundreds of claimants challenging a summary judgment win in favor of lawyers and law firms accused of barratry struck out on appeal today.