NEWS IN FOCUS
FALL 2020
News
McGirt Decision Brings Changes to Oklahoma Oil and Gas Industry
The Supreme Court recently ruled that most of the eastern half of Oklahoma, including the city of Tulsa, remains part of an Indian reservation originally granted by treaty to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation—a decision that may impact oil and gas development in the region. Partners Andy Hicks and Adam Dinnell analyze the situation which, according to a dissenting opinion by Chief Justice Roberts, “creates significant uncertainty for the State’s continuing authority over any area that touches Indian affairs, ranging from zoning and taxation to family and environmental law.”
In fact, wide-ranging effects on Oklahoma’s taxation and environmental regulatory bodies are already emerging. Summer associate Dave Finkel, Andy Hicks, and Adam Dinnell examine the post-McGirt landscape:
A Practitioner’s Guide to Coronavirus-Related Force Majeure Disputes
As the predicted wave of COVID-19-related litigation swamps in-house legal departments, partners Logan Johnson and Andy Hicks offer a guide for evaluating and responding to these disputes.
SHJ Represents Trustee in Auto Industry’s Largest-Ever Floor Plan Financing Fraud
SHJ is representing the litigation trustee in the sprawling, two-year bankruptcy case against Lubbock, Texas-based Reagor Dykes Auto Group. As special litigation counsel to the debtors, and now as counsel to the litigation trustee, SHJ partners Marc Tabolsky and Andy Hicks have filed multiple claims seeking more than $50 million on behalf of the Reagor Dykes bankruptcy estate and creditors’ trust.
Wrongful Death Action Against U.S. Peace Corps Makes National Headlines
When a 24-year-old Peace Corps volunteer died of undiagnosed malaria in Africa, her parents turned to SHJ to help them sue the agency. “This tragic story is the latest in a litany of Peace Corps deficiencies, failures, and unacceptable procedures that had been documented in 30 years of government reports, oversight efforts, and legislative reforms,” according to partner Adam Dinnell. The case has been featured in The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune, among others.
Pro Bono News: Victory in Texas Death Row Appeal
A pro bono team comprised of SHJ partner Adam Dinnell as well as longstanding members Samy Khalil (Gerger Khalil Hennessy & McFarlane), Chad Flores (Beck Redden), Jay Ewart (Arnold & Porter), and Karen Otto (Arnold & Porter) recently obtained a successful decision before the Fifth Circuit for their client, Rob Will, who has been held on Texas death row for two decades.

Media coverage of Will’s case over the years has been substantial. Highlights include: NowThis News, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and Chron.
People
Meet New Associate Bryan Zubay

We’re excited to welcome associate Bryan Zubay to the team. A University of Texas School of Law graduate, Bryan previously clerked for two judges in the Southern District of Texas and worked as an associate in King & Spalding’s Trial and Global Disputes group.
Adam Schiffer Earns Top Ranking from Benchmark Litigation

Benchmark Litigation named founding partner Adam Schiffer a “Local Litigation Star” in its 2021 guide to the nation’s leading litigation firms and practitioners.
Two Honors for Dan Hinde

Partner Dan Hinde was recently appointed chair of the Texas Bar Oversight Committee and invited to join the American Law Institute, the leading independent organization in the U.S. producing scholarly work to improve the law.
We’re Hiring New Grads!
SHJ is looking for new college graduates for one- or two-year project assistant positions—ideal for students who are considering law school. Our firm regularly goes to trial in complex, civil cases that exceed $100 million in damages. Grads will gain real-world experience and valuable contacts while working alongside lawyers who graduated from some of the country's top law schools. For more information, contact hiring partner Adam Dinnell at [email protected] or +1 713 255 4107.