The 5th Circuit rarely lets parties out of contracts that mandate that their disputes be settled through binding arbitration. That could turn out to be true even for the federally appointed receiver who?s seeking to recover the allegedly fraudulently transferred assets of convicted financier R. Allen Stanford and his related companies.

Fundamental questions about the reach of commercial-liability policies in massive pollution cases are headed to the Texas Supreme Court, after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent an appeal involving the Deepwater Horizon explosion to the state?s highest civil court for consideration.

A former secretary at Houston firm Coats Rose has filed a lawsuit, alleging the firm failed to accommodate her disabilities and unlawfully terminated her. Lenora Phelps alleges that, among many things, she was “put on probation” for downloading and listening to music at work, and was questioned about her need to use oxygen at work.

Trial lawyers have many tools to prepare cases for trial. While mediation is designed to help parties resolve their disputes, it is also a powerful tool to prepare a case for trial. Former litigator Henry J. Blum discusses how we use mediation to prepare for trial if the case is unable to settle.

Eight partners in Weil, Gotshal & Manges’ Dallas office, including prominent partners Yvette Ostolaza and Angela Fontana, will move to Sidley Austin’s Dallas office this month, Sidley announced today.