Eric Killelea
@erickillelea.bsky.social
Houston correspondent @ Bloomberg Law — Big Law business, Texas & national, AI in legal. Tips: Ekillelea@bloombergindustry.com
My BLaw article on how AI-native law firms are growing quickly, backed by millions in venture capital.
Bloomberg Law@bloomberglaw.com · 3w agoAI-native firms may not be taking Big Law’s market share, but they are making incursions into a valuable asset: talent.
My beat has grown: I now cover Big Law’s business across Texas and the US, while developing a new subbeat on AI’s impact on the legal industry. Always looking for tips on energy, AI, space, and IP — Ekillelea@bloombergindustry.com
The University of Texas School of Law’s dean is calling for a new approach with generative artificial intelligence policies to counter the risk that the technology will erode the learning of essential skills.
University of Texas Law Alters AI Policy to Stop Skills Loss (2)
The University of Texas School of Law’s dean is calling for a new approach with generative artificial intelligence policies to counter the risk that the technology will erode the learning of essential skills.
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Kirkland & Ellis is inching back the curtain on its $500 million artificial intelligence investment, revealing the scale of its technology team and the strategic ambitions behind its recently announced partnership with Palantir Technologies Inc.
Kirkland’s $500 Million AI Gambit Requires a Cast of Hundreds
Kirkland & Ellis is inching back the curtain on its $500 million artificial intelligence investment, revealing the scale of its technology team and the strategic ambitions behind its recently announced partnership with Palantir Technologies Inc.
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Kirkland & Ellis has launched a multi-year partnership with Palantir Technologies Inc. to develop custom artificial intelligence solutions, starting with a tool to make private equity fundraising more efficient.
Kirkland, Palantir Launch AI Tool Targeting Fund Formation Work
Kirkland & Ellis has launched a multi-year partnership with Palantir Technologies Inc. to develop custom artificial intelligence solutions, starting with a tool to make private equity fundraising more efficient.
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There is little debate at this point that generative AI is saving law firms time. The question now becomes: Who will save money?
AI, Billing Emerge as Crossroads for Texas Law Firms and Clients
There is little debate at this point that generative AI is saving law firms time. The question now becomes: Who will save money?
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Texas energy lawyers are sorting through the chaos of the Iran War, helping some clients find new domestic energy sources and telling others that new mergers and acquisitions are “dead, dead, dead.”
Iran War Sows Mayhem for Big Law’s Energy Clients in Texas
Texas energy lawyers are sorting through the chaos of the Iran War, helping some clients find new domestic energy sources and telling others that new mergers and acquisitions are “dead, dead, dead.”
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Kirkland & Ellis poached at least 10 lawyers from rival Latham & Watkins, two people familiar with the situation said Tuesday, as firms battle for talent to win oil and gas clients.
Kirkland Scoops 10 Latham Lawyers, Two Leading Energy Partners
Kirkland & Ellis poached at least 10 lawyers from rival Latham & Watkins, two people familiar with the situation said Tuesday, as firms battle for talent to win oil and gas clients.
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Japan’s US natural gas hedge bet is paying off for some of the Asian country’s largest companies and the large local law firms helping them gobble up natural gas assets.
Iran War Spotlights Japan’s East Texas Bid, Boosting Deals Firms
Japan’s US natural gas hedge bet is paying off for some of the Asian country’s largest companies and the large local law firms helping them gobble up natural gas assets.
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The data center boom is a conflict minefield for law firms that count major utilities among their top clients.
Data Center Rush Poses Conflicts for Law Firms With Energy Ties
The data center boom is a conflict minefield for law firms that count major utilities among their top clients.
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Hillary Holmes is the Gibson Dunn partner SpaceX has chosen to prepare a record-setting initial public offering, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Gibson Dunn’s Holmes to Help Steer SpaceX’s Record-Setting IPO
Hillary Holmes is the Gibson Dunn partner SpaceX has chosen to prepare a record-setting initial public offering, according to two people familiar with the matter.
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Our BLaw feature: Trillion-Dollar Data Center Surge Boosts Business for Big Law
Bloomberg Law@bloomberglaw.com · 6mo agoThe data center boom sits at the intersection of two major client bases—Big Tech and the world's largest private asset managers—and presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for firms built to cross-sell their services.
Paul Weiss leader Brad Karp is stepping down from the role after a trove of emails released by the Justice Department detailed the lawyer’s close connections to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Paul Weiss Chief Karp Steps Down as Epstein Controversy Heats Up
Paul Weiss leader Brad Karp is stepping down from the role after a trove of emails released by the Justice Department detailed the lawyer’s close connections to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
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Paul Weiss leader Brad Karp helped Jeffrey Epstein protect his plea deal on sex trafficking charges against legal attacks in the months before the disgraced financier died in jail, recently released emails show.
Karp Advised Epstein on Fight Over Plea Deal Months Before Death
Paul Weiss leader Brad Karp helped Jeffrey Epstein protect his plea deal on sex trafficking charges against legal attacks in the months before the disgraced financier died in jail, recently released emails show.
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Ousted Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro has hired prominent criminal defense lawyer Barry Pollack, who long represented Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, as his counsel in Manhattan criminal proceedings.
Nicolás Maduro Hires Julian Assange Lawyer for Criminal Defense
Ousted Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro has hired prominent criminal defense lawyer Barry Pollack, who long represented Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, as his counsel in Manhattan criminal proceedings.
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Lawyers are as necessary as rocket fuel for legally complex space ventures, so as launches proliferate in Texas, so does the work for law firms.
Texas Space Boom Requires Lots of Lawyers in Boost for Firms
Lawyers are as necessary as rocket fuel for legally complex space ventures, so as launches proliferate in Texas, so does the work for law firms.
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Foley & Lardner lawyers who guided Coinbase Global Inc.’s reincorporation journey from Delaware to Texas say it’s not only a “great win for the state” but also a victory for local law firms, which should expect other companies to make the same move.
Foley & Lardner Partners on Why Coinbase Texas Move Is a ‘Win’
Foley & Lardner lawyers who guided Coinbase Global Inc.’s reincorporation journey from Delaware to Texas say it’s not only a “great win for the state” but also a victory for local law firms, which should expect other companies to make the same move.
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Vinson & Elkins leads all law firms in M&A energy work in Texas, even as much bigger global rivals gain footholds in the state.
Homegrown Firm V&E Leads Big Law Blow-Ins on Texas Energy Deals
Vinson & Elkins leads all law firms in M&A energy work in Texas, even as much bigger global rivals gain footholds in the state.
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NEW: This is how US law firms secured work for the Texas flagship site of OpenAI’s $500 billion Stargate initiative
Bloomberg Law@bloomberglaw.com · 10mo agoUS law firms that have been investing in Texas for years now find themselves with a leg up on rivals in winning business at a major hub of the AI boom.
"Elon Musk PAC’s Lawyer Files for Congressional Seat in Texas" Ryan Autullo, @erickillelea.bsky.social for @bloomberglaw.com
Elon Musk PAC’s Lawyer Files for Congressional Seat in Texas (1)
Chris Gober, an attorney that helped Elon Musk’s America PAC raise more than $250 million to support President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, launched a congressional campaign in Texas on Friday.
news.bloomberglaw.com
WilmerHale re-hired Marik String, a former Marco Rubio adviser who also served on the Trump-Vance transition, as the firm aims to boost its defense, national security and government contracts practice.
WilmerHale Nabs Rubio Adviser, Trump-Vance Alum for Defense Work
WilmerHale re-hired Marik String, a former Marco Rubio adviser who also served on the Trump-Vance transition, as the firm aims to boost its defense, national security and government contracts practice.
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@erickillelea.bsky.social hired as Houston correspondent for Bloomberg Law: talkingbiznews.com/media-news/b...
Bloomberg Law hires Killelea as Houston correspondent - Talking Biz News
Bloomberg Law has hired Eric Killelea to be its Houston correspondent. He has been a religion reporter for the Houston Chronicle for the past two years. Killelea formerly was a technology and space re...
talkingbiznews.com
Some news on me: This is my first week as Houston correspondent for Bloomberg Law. I'm carving out a new beat covering the business of law firms in the city and Texas. I'm interested in AI, energy, data centers, IP, and politics. Ideas? Tips? ekillelea@bloombergindustry.com
NEW in @chron.com Christian organization under investigation for labor abuse after Houston FBI raid Kingdom of God Global Church has allegedly forced individuals to collect $50M in donations since 2014. www.chron.com/culture/reli...
FBI agents raid Christian ministry’s Houston-area property
The raid is part of an "a nationwide takedown of their forced labor organization."
chron.com
'Angry god': How Dan Patrick wields religious power in Texas Sen. Sarah Eckhardt says Republican lawmakers have the "fear of losing their seat" if they don't agree with Patrick's religiously conservative policies. www.chron.com/culture/reli...
Senate Republicans 'must toe the line' or face Dan Patrick, one rep says
"I believe he sees this position as his church, as his pulpit."
chron.com
NEW in @chron.com Blocked Ten Commandments law may still be followed in these Texas classrooms "Our intent is to follow the law and ensure the district remains in full compliance with all legal requirements." - Montgomery ISD near Houston www.chron.com/culture/reli...
Texas Christians plan to defy court's Ten Commandments ruling
One parent is already working to distribute over 300 posters throughout the state anyway.
chron.com
In @chron.com Texas schools must hold off on Ten Commandments posters, judge rules FYI the Christian group Restore American Schools claimed on its website that posters had been secured for 151,760 classrooms with about 2.8 million students. www.chron.com/culture/reli...
SB 10 opponents across Texas celebrate federal judge’s ruling
Advocates of the law will likely escalate the case in a higher court.
chron.com
NEW in @chron.com How Senate's abortion bill could infringe on other religious freedoms throughout Texas Pro-choice advocates are rallying against legislature that undermines the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. www.chron.com/culture/reli...
Senate’s anti-abortion bill could strip Texans’ religious rights
A bill meant to protect religious freedoms could actually have the opposite effect.
chron.com
NEW in @chron.com This Christian watchdog group investigates jets owned by Texas televangelists "They hold that their Christian beliefs and values will guide them through the exhaustive work of shining light on the darkest houses of God." www.chron.com/culture/reli...
Meet the group tracking Texas megachurch pastors’ private jets
"We're out to expose the fraud in God's name."
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NEW in @chron.com ‘Make Austin holy’: Controversial DFW church announces expansion Landon Schott, the pro-Trump pastor of Mercy Culture Church, is launching a new campus in the capital. www.chron.com/culture/reli...
Controversial North Texas church is ‘invading’ another city
"You don't have to take the city—you just have to take the hill."
chron.com