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The Content Rundown
$7M San Antonio Civil Rights Verdict Named Among Texas’ Top 50 Verdicts of 2024, via Durham, Pittard & Spalding. A $7 million jury verdict on behalf of a San Antonio man who was beaten by police in a case of mistaken identity has been recognized among the Top 50 Texas Verdicts of 2024. Thad Spalding was honored to serve as appellate counsel on the trial team, assisting with litigation strategy and error preservation.
Callie Pendergrass Joins Alavi Anaipakos as Senior Patent Agent, via Alavi Anaipakos. Alavi Anaipakos welcomes the addition of Callie Pendergrass as a Senior Patent Agent. Callie expands the firm’s roster of experienced technical professionals dedicated to intellectual property law. Her knowledge of electronics, software engineering, physics, and control systems allows her to navigate intricate patent disputes and inter partes reviews (IPRs). Welcome, Callie!
Over $1.11 Billion in Settlements Since 2017, via Durham, Pittard & Spalding. Durham, Pittard & Spalding has had the privilege of partnering with trial lawyers as appellate counsel on high-stakes litigation for years—and they’re proud to share that those collaborations have helped secure more than $1.11 billion in settlements since 2017.
Congratulations to our clients who were selected to the 2025 IAM Patent 1000!
Alavi Anaipakos (firm); Amir Alavi, Demetrios Anaipakos, Scott Clark, Masood Anjom, Michael McBride, and Justin Chen
Caldwell Cassady & Curry (firm); Brad Caldwell, Jason Cassady, and Austin Curry
Heim, Payne & Chorush (firm): Michael Heim, Les Payne, Russell Chorush, Allan Bullwinkel, Blaine Larson, and Eric Enger
How Will Property Be Divided During a Divorce? by Epstein Family Law's Robert Epstein. Property division in a divorce proceeding can be a complex process. It's crucial to have a clear understanding of the types of property involved, how these are treated in a Texas divorce, and potential complications that may arise from the commingling of assets. Family lawyer Robert Epstein has the details.
Durham, Pittard & Spalding Team Welcomes Molly Samsell to Our New Mexico Office, via Durham, Pittard & Spalding. Durham, Pittard & Spalding is excited to announce that Molly Samsell has joined the firm in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, office. Molly brings a strong foundation in complex litigation and a record of public service and scholarship that make her a valuable addition to our growing practice. Welcome, Molly!
Accomplished Attorney James R. Perkins Joins Dallas’ Caldwell Cassady & Curry, Boosting Firm’s Trial, Appellate Expertise, via Caldwell Cassady & Curry. Caldwell Cassady & Curry has added experienced trial and appellate attorney James R. Perkins as Counsel. For over a decade, clients have called on James for representation in high-stakes patent lawsuits and related appeals throughout the U.S. Welcome to the firm, James!
Congratulations to our clients who were selected to the 2025 edition of Chambers USA!
Alavi Anaipakos (firm); Amir Alavi and Demetrios Anaipakos (individual)
Burford Perry (firm); Robert Burford and Matt Parks (individual)
Caldwell Cassady & Curry (firm); Brad Caldwell and Jason Cassady (individual)
Heim, Payne & Chorush (firm); Michael Heim and Les Payne (individual)
Don't Skip This Section: Why Casualty Clauses Are No Joke, by Brousseau Naftis Erick & Massingill's Matthew Naftis. As complicated and unexciting as the casualty section may be, with extreme weather events, wildfires, and flooding seeming to occur more frequently and with greater economic impact, landlords and tenants would be best served to pour themselves another cup of coffee (or two) and to try to get a deeper understanding of what rights and obligations they have under the casualty sections of their leases. Business lawyer Matthew Naftis explains.
Don’t Skimp on Your Premarital Agreements, by The Law Office of Carol A. Wilson's Carol Wilson. Prenuptial agreements in Texas are far from one-size-fits-all. Each one needs to be carefully tailored to the unique circumstances and goals of the couple involved. Family lawyer Carol Wilson explores why couples should seek out an attorney for drafting these agreements.
Dallas Judge Rejects Amazon Request for Dismissal of Jackson Spencer Client’s Sex Assault Lawsuit, by Jackson Spencer Law's Jennifer Spencer. A Dallas judge has denied a request by Amazon seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a developmentally disabled Amazon warehouse employee who was abducted and sexually assaulted by her supervisor. The May 20 ruling by 68th Judicial District Judge Martin Hoffman clears the way for discovery to proceed in the lawsuit.
When Can a Lawyer Walk Away? Understanding 'Material Adverse Effect' Under Rule 1.16, by Popps Law's Laura Popps. A common issue in grievance matters is whether a lawyer’s decision to withdraw from representation was ethically justified. Attorney ethics practitioner Laura Popps unpacks the issue.
Impact of Trump Administration’s Policies on the EEOC – and What They Mean for Texas Workplace Rights, by Jackson Spencer Law's Jennifer Spencer. After the start of President Trump’s second term, there has been a wave of executive orders and actions affecting the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), as the White House has made diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives the subject of intense scrutiny. Jennifer Spencer provides a review of these events because they believe these policy changes affect all American workers, regardless of their political affiliation.
Accomplished Attorney James R. Perkins Joins Dallas’ Caldwell Cassady & Curry, Boosting Firm’s Trial, Appellate Expertise, via Caldwell Cassady & Curry. Caldwell Cassady & Curry has added experienced trial and appellate attorney James R. Perkins as Counsel. For over a decade, clients have called on James for representation in high-stakes patent lawsuits and related appeals throughout the U.S. Welcome to the firm, James!
Botkin Chiarello Calaf Partners Share Pre-Trial Wisdom at ‘Day in Federal Court’ CLE Event, via Botkin Chiarello Calaf. Botkin Chiarello Calaf partners María Amelia Calaf (MAC) and Jennifer Rappoport Colimon spoke at the Travis County Women Lawyers Association’s “Day in Federal Court” CLE program on May 9 at Austin’s federal courthouse. The two experienced litigators presented on pre-trial matters, specifically emergency injunctive relief.
Kayna Levy Selected for Prestigious J-Lead Program, via Botkin Chiarello Calaf. Botkin Chiarello Calaf senior counsel Kayna Levy has been selected to participate in the 2025 J-Lead program. This leadership development series, presented by Shalom Austin, is designed to cultivate emerging leaders. Congratulations, Kayna!
The Legal Wild West: Understanding Texas’ New Business Courts, by Brousseau Naftis Erick & Massingill's Arianna Smith. Last September, Texas' new specialized Business Courts began exercising their jurisdiction over applicable actions. This is a new professional frontier for Texas that business lawyer Arianna Smith explains in her latest post.
Keeping Separate Property Separate, by The Law Office of Carol A. Wilson’s Carol Wilson. One of the most financially complex aspects of a divorce is property division. Untangling years, often decades, worth of jointly owned property is challenging. Even more challenging, however, is determining which property rightly belongs to only one member of the couple. Family lawyer Carol Wilson unpacks the issue.
What Are the Basics of Child Custody in Texas? by Epstein Family Law's Tarah Hill. TikTok influencers, TV melodramas and neighborhood gossip would have us believe that "full custody" is an option in a divorce. But that's not necessarily the case: In Texas, there's no such thing as "full custody.” Family lawyer Tarah Hill shares the child custody basics worth knowing so that you're prepared when it's time to meet with an attorney.
Botkin Chiarello Calaf Again Named a Best Place for Working Parents, via Botkin Chiarello Calaf. In recognition of the firm’s family-friendly workplace policies, Botkin Chiarello Calaf has been recognized once again by The Best Place for Working Parents. This is BCC’s second year on the Working Parents list. Congratulations to the firm on this recognition!
Congratulations to our clients who were named to D Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Dallas:
Robert Epstein of Epstein Family Law
Keith Clouse and Alyson Brown of Clouse Brown
Ann Marie Cowdrey, Bruce H. Hallett, Leland C. de la Garza, and Monte K. Hurst of Hallett & Perrin
Chris Hamilton, Paul Wingo, and Brad Jackson of Hamilton Wingo
Kirk Pittard and Thad Spalding of Durham, Pittard & Spalding
The Grievance You Didn’t See Coming: Why Good Lawyers Get Grieved, by Popps Law’s Laura Popps. While serious misconduct does get reported and addressed, that’s not what makes up the bulk of the disciplinary system. Most grievances don’t involve theft or fraud; they stem from routine missteps: a missed communication, an unexplained delay, or a misunderstanding that escalates into a complaint. Attorney ethics practitioner Laura Popps unpacks these issues.
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.
