Haynes and Boone News

March 08, 2012 // Franchising.com // FORT WORTH – Karen Denney, a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group at Haynes and Boone, LLP, has been named the 2012 Outstanding Young Lawyer of Tarrant County by the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association. The prestigious honor has been given for her commitment to and leadership in pro bono work, as well as for her service to the local bar and involvement in the community.
“We are excited for Karen and congratulate her on this much-deserved honor,” said Brian Barnard, administrative partner for the Fort Worth office. “Karen has contributed a great deal to our firm and clients since she began her career clerking at the firm in 2001, and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the future...

March 06, 2012 // Franchising.com // DALLAS – Deb Coldwell, a partner in the Business Litigation Section and Franchise and Distribution Practice Group at Haynes and Boone, LLP, is a featured author in the second edition of the American Bar Association’s Franchise and Dealership Termination Handbook. She also served as an author of the first edition which published in January 2004.
The handbook provides practical guidance for lawyers as they counsel their clients and navigate the difficult issues that often arise when a franchise or dealership ends. Termination is often the last thing that parties consider when they first enter into a franchise or dealership relationship, but it is a critical event for all parties involved and can give rise to significant duties and liabilities...

02/15/2012 - DALLAS – The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of a Haynes and Boone, LLP Costa Rica-based client in an appeal of a cross-border dispute with Mars, Inc.
The case, argued before the Fifth Circuit in July 2011, raised important jurisdictional issues regarding whether an American manufacturer like Mars can sue a foreign distributor in a United States court where the relationship was centered primarily outside the United States.
Dallas-based Haynes and Boone partners Jeremy Kernodle, Michael Hood and Larry Pascal led the effort on behalf of the Costa Rican distributor.The manufacturer was represented by counsel from Chadbourne & Parke LLP, an international law firm.
The dispute involved a long-standing distribution agreement between Mars and a Costa Rican company who agreed to develop the Costa Rican market and promote sales of Mars products there...

02/10/2012 - NEW YORK – The federal court presiding over the SIPC liquidation of MF Global Inc. in the Southern District of New York has appointed Haynes and Boone, LLP to serve as special counsel to the SIPC trustee, James W. Giddens. United States Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glen made the appointment yesterday by granting a joint application filed by the trustee and the Securities Investor Protection Corp. (SIPC) last month.
According to the application, Haynes and Boone will advise the trustee on matters relating to MF Global’s outside auditors at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and may be asked to handle additional matters that are either not handled by the trustee’s counsel at Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP because of actual or potential conflict of interest issues or that the trustee prefers be handled by Haynes and Boone as the case proceeds...

January 25, 2012 // Franchising.com // DALLAS – Haynes and Boone, LLP is ranked the top law firm in the country for women and third for Native-Americans in MultiCultural Law Magazine’s annual ranking of the top 100 law firms for diversity.
Overall, the firm ranked No. 48 out of the top 100.
In claiming the top spot for women, the firm jumped from No. 80 in the 2010 rankings.
“Our firm has always taken a great deal of pride in providing a supportive environment for women lawyers," said Terry Conner, managing partner. "It's a big reason for the success of Haynes and Boone over the years, so it is wonderful that a respected publication like Multicultural Law has honored our efforts with this No. 1 ranking...

DALLAS / MEXICO CITY -11/01/2011– Haynes and Boone, LLP once again has been recognized by Latin Lawyer as a recommended firm for Latin American legal work in the 2011 edition of the Latin Lawyer 250, a ranking guide that tracks leading law firms working throughout the region.
In the guide, Latin Lawyer recognized the firm’s Mexico City office, as well as its U.S.-based Latin American practice, which also serves Central and South America and the Caribbean.
In particular, Latin Lawyer cited “a strong base and deal list in the region, helped immeasurably by a strong Mexico City office and very fluid cross-border working practices between the two countries – a cohort of lawyers based across two sites (many dual-qualified) plus a determined focus on the benefits of blending the two jurisdictions has helped create what is certainly one of the better cross-border practices among similarly-structured rivals...

October 10, 2011 // Franchising.com // HOUSTON – Anthony F. Newton, an experienced corporate transactional attorney with a background in private middle-market energy-related transactions, has moved as a partner to Haynes and Boone, LLP as part of an expansion of the firm’s corporate and energy practices.
"Tony was attracted to the deep bench strength of the energy practice at Haynes and Boone," said Buddy Clark, head of the Energy Practice Group. "With his strong clients in oilfield and terminaling services, Tony is a terrific complement to our practice and will enhance our services to clients."
Steven Buxbaum, head of the firm’s Corporate South Section, noted Mr. Newton’s clients are involved in both traditional and renewable energy fields...

October 10, 2011 // Franchising.com // DALLAS/HOUSTON – Eight Haynes and Boone, LLP partners have been designated "Lawyers of the Year" in their practice area by Best Lawyers in America 2012, a well respected publication in the legal profession. This doubles the firm's representation over last year.

Robert D. Albergotti, Dallas Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year
Charles A. Beckham, Jr., Houston Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year
Michael M. Boone, Dallas Corporate Governance Law Lawyer of the Year
Arthur T. Carter, Dallas Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year
Deborah S. Coldwell, Dallas Franchise Law Lawyer of the Year
Richard M...

10/03/2011 - SAN ANTONIO – Partner Steven A. Waters – San Antonio civic leader, 36-year veteran of Haynes and Boone, LLP, and current head of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group – has accepted a position as general counsel and chief legal officer for USAA Real Estate Company effective Oct. 16.
Lamont Jefferson, San Antonio office administrative partner, said the departure of Mr. Waters is bittersweet.
“Steve has been a close personal friend and mentor to so many in the Haynes and Boone family, it is going to be hard to live without him in our daily work lives,” Mr. Jefferson said. “At the same time, we are elated that he’s not moving far, that he’s found a bright new future with a great firm client and that the community will continue to benefit from his thoughtful leadership...

10/03/2011 - NEW YORK – The New York office of Haynes and Boone, LLP has added two partners, George Wang and Nir Yarden, as part of its strategic expansion of its corporate and capital markets practices. The combined practices of Mr. Wang and Mr. Yarden are focused on servicing the corporate and financing needs of private equity and hedge funds, prime brokers and other institutional capital market clients.
“The additions of Wang and Yarden strengthen key transactional practices within our New York office,” said Ken Bezozo, New York office managing partner. “Their extensive and unique industry knowledge and transactional experience will provide our hedge fund, private equity and institutional clients with the resources necessary to navigate a market that has seen tremendous changes...

August 17, 2010 // Franchising.com // DALLAS – Haynes and Boone, LLP was awarded the Corporate Equality Award from Lambda Legal's South Central Regional Office at the organization's inaugural Landmark Dinner on Saturday, Aug. 16. The award honored the firm for its long-standing support of Lambda Legal and that organization's efforts to protect the rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people (LGBT) and those with HIV.

Nick Even, Haynes and Boone partner and diversity committee member, accepted the award on behalf of the firm. "We are honored and humbled to receive this award," Even said. "Haynes and Boone strives to be a leader in workplace policies affecting LGBT employees and this is confirmation of our efforts...

August 04, 2010 // Franchising.com // DALLAS – For the second straight year, the employees of Haynes and Boone, LLP have made the firm a finalist in the Dallas Business Journal's annual Best Places to Work competition. The firm is once again the only law firm finalist in the large company category for 500 or more employees.

Honorees, who are chosen by the results of in-depth employee surveys administered by QMR Corp., will be highlighted at an awards luncheon Sept. 23, and in a special DBJ publication on Sept. 24. The ranking of the top small, medium and large companies will be revealed for the first time at the awards luncheon.

"This designation is especially gratifying because we know that our people are our greatest resource," said Managing Partner Terry Conner...

June 28, 2010 // Franchising.com // In a continued expansion of its New York-based real estate practice, Haynes and Boone, LLP has added three more attorneys. Stuart Mass will be a partner and brings with him Of Counsel Noah Shapiro and Associate Siobhan Green.

The attorneys were previously with Paul Hastings in New York and join seven prominent partners focusing on real estate finance, real estate restructurings and litigation added earlier this year from the same firm. The collective and complementary experience of the group establishes a comprehensive legal resource for firm clients, particularly top-tier real estate conglomerates, financial institutions, real estate funds and private equity groups.

"As our group grows and the economy improves, the opportunities for our clients and the practice will likewise grow," said Steven Koch, a real estate finance partner among the seven joining Haynes and Boone in its first round of expansion...

May 17, 2010 // Franchising.com // WASHINGTON, D.C. – Energy industry veteran Robert K. Temple has joined the Haynes and Boone, LLP Energy and Power Practice Group as of counsel in the firm's Washington, D.C. office.

Mr. Temple has more than 25 years of experience in the electric utility industry with a particular emphasis on nuclear operations, transactions, development and regulatory matters. His combined experience in both private practice and as in-house counsel to the country's largest municipally-owned electric and gas utility provides a unique perspective spanning the legal and technical sides of the electric and gas utility and nuclear energy businesses.

"The nuclear energy sector is seeing a resurgence as new plants are being constructed again after a thirty year hiatus and many of the energy practitioners with Bob's level of knowledge and experience have since left the practice of law," said San Antonio Energy Partner Diana Liebmann...

May 11, 2010 // Franchising.com // WASHINGTON, D.C. – Haynes and Boone, LLP attorneys have assisted Mirant Corporation (NYSE: MIR), a leading independent power producer headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., with all contractual arrangements for a thermal fly ash beneficiation facility to be built at Mirant's 1,467MW Morgantown power plant located in Charles County, Md. The Morgantown fly ash beneficiation facility will be the largest thermal facility ever deployed in the United States. When completed, it will be capable of processing up to 400,000 tons of fly ash per year.

Mirant's fly ash processing facility utilizes the Staged Turbulent Air Reactor (STAR™) thermal beneficiation process, an innovative and proprietary technology developed by The SEFA Group, Inc...

May 10, 2010 // Franchising.com // MADRID, SPAIN – Haynes and Boone, LLP intellectual property lawyer Steven Chen, along with co-inventor Sanjai Kohli, has won the European Patent Office's Inventor of the Year Award for their powerful chipsets that enhance the availability, accuracy and effectiveness of GPS technology.

Winners were announced April 28 in Madrid after rigorous evaluation by an international panel of high-profile entrepreneurs, managers, scientists, researchers, investors and journalists. The Chen-Kohli invention was selected best in the "non-European countries" category, one of four categories in the contest.

"I am extremely honored to be receiving such a prestigious award and to be recognized for my contribution to the commercial GPS market," said Mr...

April 27, 2010 // Franchising.com // HOUSTON – Haynes and Boone, LLP Associate Marty Thompson has been recognized as one of the Houston Business Journal's outstanding professionals under age 40.

Ms. Thompson is a member of the Haynes and Boone Environmental Litigation Practice. She was honored for her contributions to the legal industry, her business leadership and her commitment to community.

"Marty is an outstanding young talent with the tactical business acumen required to effectively advise clients as they face conflicts arising from environmental issues," said Jeff Civins, partner and chair of the firm's environmental practice. "The firm congratulates her on this much deserved honor."

In her practice, Ms...

April 26, 2010 // Franchising.com // HOUSTON – Haynes and Boone, LLP Partner Chris Wolfe has been named the only attorney member on the Texas Department of Agriculture's 15-person bioenergy research committee.

Mr. Wolfe is an energy lawyer with more than 23 years experience advising clients on energy-related matters across multiple industries, including a particular focus on clean tech and renewable energy. His legal knowledge will provide the committee with a valuable perspective as they evaluate the complex intersection of energy initiatives and the law.

The bioenergy research committee is comprised of private, academic and state executives, experts and researchers. Members will act in support of the Texas Bioenergy Policy Council to develop a successful bioenergy industry in Texas...

April 13, 2010 // Franchising.com // ORANGE COUNTY – Haynes and Boone, LLP intellectual property lawyer Steven Chen has been nominated for the European Patent Office's Inventor of the Year Award for his work on powerful chipsets designed to enhance the availability, accuracy and effectiveness of GPS technology.

Mr. Chen and his co-inventor Sanjai Kohli are among 12 total nominees and only three in the Non-European Countries category.

"This is an outstanding honor for Steve," said Greg Michelson, an intellectual property partner in Haynes and Boone's Orange County office. "He is an extremely bright individual and his innate understanding of the intricacies of the technology we are asked to represent as patent lawyers is a huge asset to our clients...

March 03, 2010 // Franchising.com // DALLAS - Joyce Mazero, lead partner of the Haynes and Boone, LLP Restaurant, Foodservice and Retail Industries Practice Group and the Franchise and Distribution Practice Group, has been named the 2010 recipient of the Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF) Leadership Award.

The award is presented annually to a female foodservice executive. Ms. Mazero is the first recipient to be honored for her work in a field serving other foodservice executives. As a restaurant, foodservice and franchise attorney, Ms. Mazero was selected for her leadership, professional and legal achievements, and contributions to the foodservice industry.

"I am honored to be recognized by WFF for my leadership on behalf of women and WFF," Ms...