Brian A. Hall

"The now-defunct Austin accelerator had filed for bankruptcy amid employee and customer discontent. The court has since ordered the company to auction off the warrants it held in more than 1,000 of the startups that went through the accelerator program. Normally, private companies like startups have control over which investors are allowed to buy shares and the prices they pay. But the bankruptcy court, which works to restore creditors rather than equity holders, isn’t allowing Newchip’s startups to exert that kind of control. Instead, the auctions are ongoing, with the first tranche already sold and upcoming tranches expected to be sold this spring and summer." It is not news that accelerators vary widely in quality. What this incident highlights is that a bad choice (ok, a really bad choice) can actually be fatal to your venture. There are "fixes" to the warrant terms that could address the issues created by this accelerator bankruptcy, but the reality is that ventures entering accelerators rarely have the legal firepower or bargaining leverage to get those changes.

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Wes Cummins and his team at Applied Digital (NASDAQ: APLD) are on the front-end of helping power the next generation of technology. Listen to this episode and you will surprised how much power is needed to fully develop and use the next wave of technological advances. #boyarmiller #buildingtexasbusiness #podcast #technology

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Is your company equipped to outmaneuver the new normal in Texas? Texas’s Attorney General (AG) announced a new team dedicated solely to prosecuting and enforcing the Data Privacy and Security Act. What’s normal for the spider is chaos to the fly - a lesson you don’t want to learn the hard way in Texas. Like spiders expanding their webs to cover more ground, the Texas AG is broadening its team and expertise to enforce Texas’s new, comprehensive consumer privacy law. This expansion means a wider reach and stronger oversight from qualified and hungry spiders. Companies operating in Texas’s digital realm without understanding the new data privacy laws will quickly find their normal operations turned to chaos— caught in the spider's web, trapped and struggling. The new normal legal landscape in Texas is intricate and unforgiving. One misstep can lead to a cascade of legal issues and chaos. Are you a business operating in Texas and prepared for this major shift? Not yet? Let’s talk. #DataPrivacy #Compliance #Cybersecurity #PrivacyLaw

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Optimizing attorney workflows is what we do. We develop features that attorneys love to use because they make working easier. One of those features is in-app annotation. As one attorney at an AM Law 100 firm shared, “The annotation capability in LINK is great - I can annotate directly and save without having to jump between apps.” To learn more about what LINK has to offer, request a demo at https://lnkd.in/eSKc7MSK. ____________________________ LINK provides lawyers and knowledge professionals with easy workflows in a single, encrypted app. LINK is the app for lawyers. ____________________________ Discover more on mobilehelix.com #mobilehelix #workflows #linkforlawyers #amlaw100 #legaltech #legaltechnology #legalit #legal #law #lawyer #attorney #legalinnovation

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The Texas Lateral Market Report is out now. There were twenty partner and counsel moves in September. For more insights into the Texas lateral market, reach out to Saadia Sultan. https://bit.ly/4fgfGcG #themccormickgroup #legal #lateralhiring

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<[Data Privacy]> is Bigger in Texas! On July 1, 2024, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) will become effective. This law establishes data collection, processing, and disclosure requirements that will apply to many consumer-facing companies doing business with Texas residents. Companies selling to Texas residents should consider whether the TDPSA applies to them, as it has a broader scope than most other recently adopted state privacy laws. Doing business in Texas? Check out our data privacy guide here: https://lnkd.in/gCqd9X9T This guide, presented by Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC and Higginbotham Insurance, highlights key provisions of the TDPSA and how they are similar to or differ from other states’ data privacy regulations. #dataprivacy #dataprivacylaw #texas Corey H. Casey Fleming Chuck Brooks IAPP - International Association of Privacy Professionals Victoria Beckman Robert Metzger Gray Holden Violet Sullivan, CIPP/US CIPM Jacob Horne

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JUST ANNOUNCED: IP Dealmakers 2024 Keynote Speaker 🔥 Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will take the stage at the 11th Annual IP Dealmakers Forum – and you won’t want to miss it! 🔥 In a historic case, Paxton secured a record-breaking $1.4 BILLION settlement with Meta over an unauthorized capture of personal biometric data – the largest ever obtained by a single state and the biggest privacy settlement led by an Attorney General. In an exclusive interview with Jennifer Truelove, McKool Smith's lead counsel for this case, Paxton will break down: ⚖️ The inside story of State of Texas v. Meta Platforms, Inc.  🔍 The tactics that led to the $1.4B win  🌐 What this case means for the future of data privacy and IP law Don’t miss this RARE opportunity to hear directly from the key players involved in one of the most prolific legal battles of the digital age. Join us November 6-8 at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami – secure your spot before it’s too late! This is your chance to be in the room where the discussions on the year’s biggest deals will happen. Register now ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eKnhX4ra ⏳Seats are selling fast! ⏳ Stay tuned for our second BIG update for this year’s event… #IPDealmakers #DataPrivacy #BigTech #IPLaw #KenPaxton #Meta

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Breaking Down Texas's New Business Court Removal Rules: Texas's specialized business courts opened Sept. 1 with game-changing removal rules - no unanimous consent needed and a discovery-based removal clock. Here's what you need to know. #TexasLaw #BusinessCourt #LegalStrategy #TexasAttorney

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🚀 New Podcast Episode Alert! 🚀 Join me as I interview Judge Scott Schlegel of the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal, a true pioneer in integrating technology into the justice system. 🏛️💡 Judge Schlegel shares his inspiring journey of transforming court systems from within by harnessing the power of technology. From ditching physical calendar books to exploring the frontier of AI in the courts, he fearlessly tackles the challenges and opportunities that emerge when innovation meets the halls of justice. Key Highlights: ✨ Practical strategies for navigating cultural shifts when adopting new tools ✨ The risks and potential of AI, from deepfake evidence to efficiency breakthroughs ✨ How a passion for expanding access to justice fuels Judge Schlegel's groundbreaking work Whether you're a legal professional, tech enthusiast, or an advocate for a more accessible legal system, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Tune in now and discover how technology can transform the way justice is delivered! Link: https://lnkd.in/g-qPx2BH #LawDroidManifesto #LegalTech #CourtInnovation #AI #AccessToJustice

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10 Principles That Will Guide the New Texas Business Courts in Breach of Fiduciary Duty Litigation

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“Law firms hold a treasure trove of financial information, intellectual property, and other confidential and personal data of their clients. Coupled with the fact that they commonly lack dedicated cybersecurity resources, it is easy to see why law firms are a prime target for hackers.” In the Legal Tech column of the June issue of the Texas Bar Journal, Candace McCaddon shares tips for law firms on how to prepare for and respond to cybersecurity incidents. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gmYNTkuP #LegalReads #Cybersecurity

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One of the very few good things (honestly--the only good thing of which I am aware) to come out of the Texas legislature this last session was a statute requiring tracking of some very basic trial court case metrics (cases assigned, cases disposed, jury trials, and continuances granted). It's a political ploy aimed at the criminal courts in order to track their case count and disposal rates due to the fear-mongering about rising crime rates and criminals "being set free on bond," but just so happens to include civil courts in the numbers. While the falsity of those political games are a subject for others who practice in that area, the reporting is something that the likes of the Houston Bar Association should pay attention to and report on. Maybe track them for their members, instead of sending out their farce of a bench/bar poll that draws intentionally skewed responses. Because case disposal rates and continuances granted can be accurately and honestly tracked. "How do you feel about this judge..." cannot. And in the most recent reported months (March and April), you can see that two of the "slowest" courts aren't actually the slowest, and one of the most favored judges has one of the slowest dockets. As more months are reported more trends will be available, but it looks a lot like some judges are unfairly dinged for their performances, and others unfairly praised. "Stats" are not the only metric by which we should review judges, but it's a start. (Although some judges are already not granting continuances, but letting us know that the case won't go to trial. Judges and lawyers are very good at playing within the rules.) Good work by the Harris Country District Clerk for reporting these stats on her website, and letting local lawyers know where to find them: https://lnkd.in/eGxiUK9Q

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SCOTUS's decision in the NetChoice cases was a huge blow to Big Tech's strategy of asking for the broadest possible relief based on the barest of records. Tomorrow, the 9th Cir can check Big Tech in two other poorly supported facial challenges. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e9tUgh5i Over the last few years, Big Tech has asked courts to declare a series of laws entirely invalid under the First Amendment based on little more than vibes. In the process, they have hoped to secure broad constitutional rulings essentially declaring them immune from regulation. In NetChoice v. Bonta, the Big Tech trade org challenged the CA Age-Appropriate Design Code based on sloppy statutory & constitutional interpretation & speculation about the law's application. NetChoice asked for the moon—relief from all data protection regulations—& they got it. In X v. Bonta, X Corp challenged CA's AB 587, which requires social media cos to disclose information about their content moderation practices. X argues the law might be used to jawbone changes to their content moderation—which doesn't come close to justifying facial invalidation. SCOTUS's decision in the NetChoice case decides both of these appeals. The dangerous decision in the NetChoice case should be vacated b/c the judge applied the wrong standard. The decision not to grant X an injunction based on a flimsy record should be affirmed. EPIC filed amicus briefs supporting AG Bonta in both cases. In NetChoice, EPIC distinguished the CAAADC from other state laws that restrict kids' access to social media. (https://lnkd.in/ePJu6hAZ) In X, EPIC explained the importance of transparency laws—& how X's arguments don't support facial invalidation. (https://lnkd.in/e34Vh9-u) We have also written about the dangers & flaws in the district court's decision in NetChoice v. Bonta (https://lnkd.in/eArCTDau)

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For those who may be interested, check this out. #ipo #investors #stockexchange #nyse #nasdaq

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The Texas AG's landmark deal with Meta regarding its biometric data practices makes clear that CUBI is equally as potent as Illinois' BIPA, even without a private right of action. I shared further insights about the settlement and compliance takeaways with Lori Tripoli in this week's feature in The Cybersecurity Law Report. #Cybersecurity #DataPrivacy #Compliance

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“As we stand at the threshold of this rapidly changing AI era, attorneys can prepare to protect the integrity of investigations and litigation outcomes by learning to identify and address potentially deepfaked evidence when it arises.” In the May issue of the Texas Bar Journal, Husch Blackwell attorneys Anne D. Cartwright, Peter C. Anderson, and Jonathan A. Porter discuss deepfakes and preparing to confront AI-generated “evidence” in investigations and litigation. Read “Deepfakes” here: tinyurl.com/tbjdeepfakes #DeepFakes #AI

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