On August 21, 2020, the Supreme Court of Texas approved an amendment to Rule 106 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to allow substituted service through social media. (Order # 20-9103 is available here). The Court is accepting public comments regarding the proposed amendment by December 1,… Read more
The McGinnis Lochridge International Trade & Transactions Newsletter keeps clients informed about updates on international trade and transactions matters across the country and around the world. This issue focuses on Jamie Joiner's return to the firm after her sabbatical, implemementation of the USMCA, trade with China and Hong Kong, and… Read more
McGinnis Lochridge Special Counsel Jamie Joiner, a member of the firm’s International Trade and Transactions Practice Group, authored the “Compliance for Exporters and Freight-Forwarders: A Shared Approach” chapter of The Export Compliance Manager’s Handbook, second edition, recently published by WorldECR. In the Handbook, Joiner explains why exporters and freight-forwarders… Read more
Partner Eric Johnston, a member of the firm’s Employment Practice Group, provided insight about possible litigation and steps gyms should take as they reopen in the coming weeks. The article, Legal questions to mind as gyms and other fitness centers reopen, was published by the Austin Business Journal online… Read more
McGinnis Lochridge's Oil & Gas Newsletter: Producer's Edge keeps clients informed about Texas oil and gas case law, regulatory updates, and insightful articles relevant to the oil and gas community. In this edition, we feature articles regarding lessor/lessee issues to consider when navigating the “new normal,” surviving oilfield economic turmoil amidst COVID-19, and… Read more
The McGinnis Lochridge International Trade & Transactions Newsletter keeps clients informed about updates on international trade and transactions matters across the country and around the world. This issue focuses on new EAR amendments that aim to restrict efforts by entities in China, Russia, and Venezuela from obtaining certain U.S.-origin products… Read more
The Railroad Commission voted today to dismiss a motion for proration and curtailment of Texas crude oil production. On March 30, 2020, Pioneer Natural Resources U.S.A., Inc. (“Pioneer”) and Parsley Energy, Inc. (“Parsley”) filed a joint motion with the Railroad Commission of Texas… Read more
There is a silver lining to the current economic environment for those interested in estate planning techniques to transfer wealth out of their taxable estates with little or no gift tax consequences. These estate planning opportunities include sales to grantor trusts, intra-family loans, and gifts to trusts such as Grantor Retained… Read more
In the recently released Chambers USA 2020 rankings, McGinnis Lochridge was one of only two firms ranked Band 1 in Texas in Energy: State Regulatory & Litigation (Oil & Gas). The firm was also ranked Band 2 in Austin and the surrounding area in Litigation: General Commercial. Managing Partner Read more
The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and measures to minimize its spread will likely require many small businesses to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Fortunately for those businesses, the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (SBRA), which took effect in February 2020, streamlines, simplifies, and aims to… Read more
The unprecedented economic disruptions caused by COVID-19, including government ordered closures of some businesses, have increased unemployment, have had drastic impacts on supply and demand, and have had a significant impact on business relationships. In many instances, companies are legally, economically and/or logistically unable to fulfill contractual obligations. In… Read more