Bill Helfand

🚨 Texas Business Court: Expansions are Coming Both houses of the Texas legislature have passed House Bill 40, ushering in significant changes to the Texas Business Court. From lowering the monetary threshold to embracing IP and arbitration-related disputes, the bill expands the Business Court’s jurisdiction and reach in numerous ways. The Haynes Boone Texas Business Courts Task Force is closely tracking these developments and what they mean for business. Learn more about this bill from Partners Natasha Breaux and David Harper: https://lnkd.in/gHtdFnB9

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Houston partners Collin Cox and Gregg Costa recently spoke to Bloomberg Law about the benefits law firms are seeing from the new Texas Business Court. Collin said the firm is hiring five associates this year because of both the business court and the general increase in litigation in Texas, while Gregg noted that “litigation is very hot in Texas” and the state is “increasingly where corporate America is going to be resolving a lot of its disputes.” Collin is Co-Partner in Charge of our Houston office while Gregg is Global Co-Chair of our Trials Practice Group. Read more (subscription required): https://lnkd.in/g-iWTk_m

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Hannah Greer ’25 and Elizabeth Mansfield ’25 have been named Equal Justice Works Fellows (EJW) for 2025. Greer will serve as an EJW Fellow at Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, providing legal services, including targeted litigation and community outreach, to help low-income tenants in rural Texas bring affirmative action against landlords. Mansfield will serve as an EJW Fellow at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, providing legal advocacy to immigrant children in Minnesota public schools, connecting them and their families to social services. z.umn.edu/aiaq

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Attorney Michael Wynne Featured in Texas Bar Journal’s June Director Spotlight. Michael Wynne, partner at Gregor Wynne Arney in Houston and State Bar of Texas Board Member for District 4, Place 4, is featured in the June edition of the Texas Bar Journal’s Director Spotlight. This monthly feature highlights the dedicated volunteers who help shape the legal profession in Texas. In his interview, Michael shares his background, passion for white-collar criminal defense, and what he sees as the most pressing issue facing Texas attorneys today. Originally from Marcellus, New York, Michael credits his father—a French professor at Syracuse University—for inspiring his love of reading. Severe childhood asthma ruled out sports, and fainting in biology class ruled out medicine. But a mock trial program led by a Pink Floyd-loving social studies teacher opened the door to law. He’s been practicing ever since. Michael has spent his career helping individuals and families navigate the challenges of federal investigations and charges. “It is humbling, meaningful, and, thankfully, often successful,” he shares. “Counsel must shepherd the client and family through what is often the most traumatic period of their lives.” His time as a State Bar Director has deepened his appreciation for the independence of the Texas legal profession. “We owe gratitude to the past presidents, directors, and permanent staff through whose efforts we remain a self-regulating entity,” he notes. He also believes board members should serve as a resource to their local legal communities—helping colleagues navigate frustrating or confusing administrative experiences with the Bar. When asked about the biggest challenge Texas lawyers face, Michael points to the decline of mentorship and practical training. “Law firms are becoming more siloed. For better or worse, law is being transformed from a profession into a business,” he says. While the shift is likely irreversible, he encourages legal professionals to actively foster learning and mentoring opportunities for the next generation. Michael offers this advice to law students and young attorneys: Don’t try to read everything—focus on applying legal knowledge. Take practice exams seriously. Learn the terminology—even obscure concepts return later. Seek mentors and specialize early to stand out in the legal market. Build a pipeline of solid, reliable clients. After serving 12 years as an assistant U.S. attorney, Michael returned to private practice and ran for the State Bar Board to give back to the profession and his adopted home state. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eEMCRZyj #TexasLawyers #TexasStateBar #LegalLeadership #AttorneySpotlight

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What does a civil procedure scholar have to say about health care reform? A lot, if that scholar is Texas Law Professor Charlie Silver. In a wide-ranging conversation, Silver explains why he believes America’s health care system costs too much, why lawyers should be regulated more like other service providers, and how agency law might hold answers for modern legal ethics. He also reflects on decades of teaching at Texas Law—and why his 1L students remain one of the best parts of the job. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g-HRngpx

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