Is the Eastern District of Texas ready to shed its reputation as a haven for patent plaintiffs? When it comes to jury trials, the numbers tell the story. So far this year, defendants fighting patent infringement claims have prevailed at trial seven times, far eclipsing the number of plaintiffs wins.

As nervous law students fret over taking the Texas bar exam this month, one man who failed the rigorous test in 2009 claims the state’s requirement that would-be attorneys take the exam violates his constitutional rights.

In recent years, the Texas Supreme Court has made it increasingly difficult for a royalty owner to win claims for breach of contract and fraud against oil company lessees that are otherwise time-barred, by holding that the discovery rule and fraudulent-concealment exceptions do not apply.

The recusal motion contained two affidavits, including one from Dallas County Assistant DA Heath Harris who alleges that Judge Lena Levario had “personally attempted to insert herself into the litigation” regarding Watkins’ contempt hearing.

John Lonsberg leads the group of Norton Rose Fulbright lawyers leaving for Baker Botts' Middle East offices.