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The Content Rundown
Botkin Chiarello Calaf Secures Summary Judgment in Securities Fraud Case, via Botkin Chiarello Calaf. Congratulations to Botkin Chiarello Calaf and to the firm’s client, Bryan Cooper, who won a summary judgment dismissing baseless securities fraud allegations. Nice work by BCC’s own Maria Amelia Calaf (MAC), Erin Eckhoff, and Joshua Kelly.
Burford Perry Secures Major $32.8 Million Victory in High-Stakes Arbitration over Operation Lone Star Transportation Contract, via Burford Perry. In a complex arbitration case, Houston business litigation boutique Burford Perry announces a significant victory for its client, Katy, Texas-based GETZ Transport Solutions, LLC. In his October 15 Final Award, arbitrator Hon Glen Ashworth ruled in favor of GETZ, finding that Irving, Texas-based Wynne Transportation, LLC and its parent, Wynne Transportation Holdings, LLC were jointly and severally liable for $32.1 million in damages and over $700,000 in attorneys' fees and costs. Congratulations to the trial team on this victory.
New Texas Disciplinary Rule Offers Relief for Lateral-Hire Conflicts, by Popps Law's Laura Popps. Lateral-hire conflicts – those created when lawyers move between firms – have been creating headaches for lawyers and law firms for decades, but the problem has grown increasingly difficult to manage with the increase in lawyer mobility in recent years. With the adoption of new disciplinary rules on October 1, 2024, Texas lawyers will now be able to better manage these issues by implementing screening protections previously unavailable. Attorney grievance defense attorney Laura Popps explains.
2024 Compliance Alert: Small Businesses Must Report ‘Beneficial Owners,' by Brousseau Naftis Erick & Massingill's Cynthia Dooley. If you own a small business or have a management role in one, then the business might have a whole new reporting obligation to the federal government this year. It’s important to take this obligation seriously because the penalties for willfully failing to file the required reports are steep: $500 per day that the report is late, up to $10,000, and imprisonment for up to two years. Attorney Cynthia Dooley unpacks the new report.
Love Without Labels: How to Avoid a Common-Law Marriage in Texas, by the Law Office of Carol A. Wilson's Carol Wilson. Not everybody wants to be married. Some couples — both straight and gay — are content to spend years, even decades, together without walking down the aisle or formalizing their union in any way. Family lawyer Carol Wilson explains how to avoid unexpectedly being categorized as common-law married.
Botkin Chiarello Calaf Welcomes Colombina Valera, via Botkin Chiarello Calaf. Botkin Chiarello Calaf is pleased to announce the addition of Colombina Valera to their growing commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation practice groups. A 2022 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, Colombina recently completed a two-year term clerkship for U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin M. Howell of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. Welcome to BCC, Colombina!
$157 Million Verdict Earned by Burford Perry Ranked Among Nation’s Top 50 in 2023, via Burford Perry. A $157 million verdict in a complex shareholder derivative and breach of fiduciary duty case earned by Burford Perry has been included among the Top 50 verdicts in the country in 2023, as compiled by Top Verdicts & Settlements - TopVerdict.com. The February 2023 verdict in Harris County district court centered on claims that Martin Kay had wrongly moved financial resources and talent from Greenlet, LLC, a real estate technology company he co-owned with Laura Yosowitz.
Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid During a Texas Divorce, by Epstein Family Law’s Robert Epstein. To help readers make informed decisions and protect their rights, family lawyer Robert Epstein has compiled a list of the top five mistakes to avoid during a Texas divorce.
Botkin Chiarello Calaf Partners Teach Trade Secret, Patent Law at UT Law, via Botkin Chiarello Calaf. Once again, Botkin Chiarello Calaf partners are teaching at The University of Texas School of Law, sharing their expertise in patent and trade secret law. María Amelia Calaf (MAC) and Leah Bhimani Buratti are co-teaching a course on Trade Secret Law, and Ryan Botkin is serving as a Teaching Assistant for U.S. District Judge Alan Albright’s Patent Advocacy class at the University of Texas School of Law. Thanks for teaching the next generation of Longhorn lawyers, y'all! Hook 'em!
Congratulations to our clients who were named among Benchmark Litigation’s 2025 Litigation Star honorees!
Alavi Anaipakos’ Amir Alavi and Demetrios Anaipakos
Burford Perry’s Robert Burford and Matt Parks (Future Star)
Caldwell Cassady & Curry’s Austin Curry (Future Star)
Congratulations to our clients who were named to the 2025 edition of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators guide!
Alavi Anaipakos’ Amir Alavi, Demetrios Anaipakos, Masood Anjom, Scott W. Clark, and Michael McBride
Heim, Payne & Chorsush’s Michael Heim, Leslie Payne, Russell Chorush, Allan Bullwinkel, Eric Enger, and Chris First
Leah Bhimani Buratti Speaks at Ultimate Trial Notebook Event, via Botkin Chiarello Calaf. Botkin Chiarello Calaf partner Leah Bhimani Buratti recently spoke at the Austin Bar Association Civil Litigation Section's 19th Annual "Ultimate Trial Notebook" CLE and networking event on September 20. Leah spoke on a panel titled “Evidentiary Edge: Tackling Complex Admissibility Challenges.” The panel discussed handling complex evidentiary issues, including digital evidence, expert testimony, and emerging challenges in admissibility.
The Hidden Costs of Being Separated but Still Married, by The Law Office of Carol A. Wilson's Carol Wilson. You might think that once you and your spouse decide to part ways, your financial lives split in two. Unfortunately, that's not always the case in Texas. Under Texas law, you're still considered married until a judge officially signs a divorce decree. Texas does not recognize “legal separation.” Family lawyer Carol Wilson explains the complications of this type of marital status.
Congratulations to our clients who made the 2024 edition of Texas Super Lawyers!
Alavi Anaipakos: Amir Alavi, Demetrios Anaipakos, and Brian Simmons
Botkin Chiarello Calaf: Ryan Botkin, María Amelia Calaf (MAC), Katherine Chiarello, Leah Bhimani Buratti
Brousseau Naftis Erick & Massingill: Matthew Naftis and Elayna Naftis Erick
Burford Perry: Robert Burford, Brent Perry, Matthew E. Parks, and Jay Jackson
Caldwell Cassidy & Curry: Brad Caldwell, Jason Cassady, and Austin Curry
Clouse Brown: Keith Clouse and Alyson Brown
Epstein Family Law: Robert Epstein
Forshey Prostok: Bobby Forshey, Jeff P. Prostok, and Deirdre Carey Brown
Hallett & Perrin: Bruce H. Hallett, Ann Marie Cowdrey, Tom M. Dees, III, James N. Henry, Jr., Leland C. de la Garza, Monte K. Hurst, Robert E. Luxen, Timothy Vaughan
Hamilton Wingo: Chris Hamilton, Paul Wingo, and Brad Jackson
Heim, Payne &. Chorush: Michael Heim, Leslie Payne, Russell Chorush, Eric Enger
Jackson Spencer Law: Jennifer Spencer
The Castañeda Firm: Chrysta Castañeda
The Law Office of Carol Wilson: Carol Wilson
Wittliff Cutter: Reid Wittliff and John Saba
Botkin Chiarello Calaf Partner Ryan Botkin Honored with Outstanding Federal Lawyer Award, via Botkin Chiarello Calaf. Botkin Chiarello Calaf is proud to announce that name partner Ryan Botkin was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Federal Lawyer Award by the Austin Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional attorneys who have dedicated their careers to federal practice and have made significant contributions to the legal community. Congratulations, Ryan!
Partners from Heim, Payne & Chorush Earn Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under Rankings, via Heim, Payne & Chorush. Heim, Payne & Chorush partners Chris First, Blaine Larson, and Alden Harris have earned selections in the recently announced 2024 Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under rankings of the top young lawyers in Texas and nationwide. Benchmark Litigation describes the honorees as the “best and brightest litigators across the U.S.” and “the top young talent in their respective litigation communities.”
Hallett & Perrin Shareholder Philip Danze Recognized Among Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Real Estate Lawyers, via Hallett & Perrin. Hallett & Perrin is pleased to announce that shareholder Philip Danze has been named to the 2024 list of Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Real Estate Lawyers. This prestigious recognition highlights Philip's exceptional skill and experience in complex real estate transactions across the country.
Christina takes traditional legal marketing copy and upcycles it into snackable, click-able and shareable digital content. As Muse’s newsletter aficionado, she creates custom newsletters for clients from development to distribution. If you’re looking for a snappy headline or engaging email, send her a note at christina.dipinto@muselegalpr.com.
