News & Events
2005 News

October 2005
The firm sponsored the Association of Women Attorneys’ annual judicial reception which this year honored women judges throughout the five counties in the Houston area. The Association of Women Attorneys was organized in Houston, Texas, in 1976 to improve the opportunities for, and to promote recognition of the capabilities of women attorneys.

September 2005
Andrew Schirrmeister and Ruth Shapiro prevailed in the First Houston Court of Appeals where the appellate court held that the Texas statute of limitations on mold-related personal injury claims begins to run upon exposure, and is not tolled until a plaintiff receives a definitive medical diagnosis tying mold to medical ailments.

September 2005
Andrew Schirrmeister was a featured speaker at the HarrisMartin Benzene Litigation Conference in Marina Del Ray, California entitled “Effective Handling of Benzene Cases: The Pros Speak”. Andrew’s panel was entitled Pure and “Trace” Benzene Cases: The Fundamentals. Andrew discussed the settings in which such cases arise, the potential defendants and potential plaintiffs, joint defense issues, and the manner in which the cases are resolved or play out in court. This written presentation addressed the quantification of trace benzene exposure through inhalation, ingestion and dermal uptake models...more

September 2005
The firm has been active in its support of the Harris County judiciary. The firm has acted as underwriter for the campaigns of Judge Jeff Brown of the 55th District Court, Judge Jennifer Elrod of the 190th District Court, Judge Randy Wilson of the 157th District Court, Judge Brent Gamble of the 270th District Court, Judge David Bernal of the 281st District Court, Judge Bill Burke of the 189th District Court and Judge John Wooldridge of the 269th District Court. Judge Burke was a former partner of Andrew Schirrmeister at Baker Botts.

August 2005
The firm prevailed on multiple appeals of a summary judgment obtained in November 2004 on behalf of a its client, a multinational chemical company, dismissing numerous third-party claims of two plastics molders. The judgments, obtained in the 357th District Court of Cameron County, Texas, were appealed to the Thirteenth Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi, Texas. One of the appellants dismissed its appeal without filing a brief. The other appellant filed a brief on the merits arguing that our client’s summary judgment should be reversed because the hearing was held on less than 21 days notice and less than 21 days following the filing of certain summary judgment evidence. The appellant further argued that the trial court had misapplied Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code providing for contribution, and Chapter 82 of the Code providing for indemnity of innocent sellers by manufacturers of an allegedly defective product. Our firm filed extensive briefs written by John Klug, following which, the second appellant voluntarily dismissed its appeal as well, making the summary judgments in favor of our client final and non-appealable. The underlying trial from which our client was dismissed resulted in a $87,000,000 verdict.

July 2005
Ruth Shapiro has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Houston Lawyer Referral Service (“HLRS”). HLRS is a community service project of the legal profession sponsored by ten local bar associations, certified by the State Bar of Texas, and one of a select few legal referral programs nationwide that meet the stringent standards of the American Bar Association. The program assists our Houston community by referring legal matters to screened attorneys with appropriate experience.

May 2005
Andrew Schirrmeister has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Houston World Affairs Council. The Houston World Affairs Council is one of Houston's most important citizen forums. Through diversified programming, the Council presents all sides of current global issues, furthers understanding of international relations and foreign policy, and contributes to national and international policy debates.

April 2005
The firm sponsored a table at the Anti-Defamation League’s 2005 Karen H. Susman Jurisprudence Award Luncheon honoring David J. Beck and presenting Judge James DeAnda the Distinguished Achievement Award for Legal Public Service. Judge DeAnda, former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, pioneered civil rights efforts on behalf of Mexican-Americans and other Latinos, in the United States Supreme Court and elsewhere, successfully challenging systematic discrimination against Latinos in the courtrooms and the schools.

April 2005
The firm welcomes Grupo Televisa S.A. de C.V. as a new client. Grupo Televisa S.A. de C.V. is a worldwide leader in the sale of programming in Spanish, which airs worldwide and has been translated to 27 languages. Grupo Televisa S.A. de C.V. offers a wide variety of multimedia content to meet the entertainment and information needs of all audiences, created by internationally acclaimed producers and acted by star-studded casts.
March 2005
The firm is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a 2004 DuPont Challenge Award. DuPont Legal gives Challenge Awards to those law firms who provided exemplary legal services during 2004. Stacey Mobley, General Counsel of DuPont, acknowledged our firm’s successes and identified three particular areas in which the firm excelled: Outstanding legal services and results in all areas of trial work and litigation; Collaboration with other DuPont primary law firms and service providers; and Sustained commitment to diversity in the legal profession through various initiatives.

March 2005
The firm welcomes Iona Kaiser to the firm as an Associate. Iona is a 1996 graduate of Virginia Tech where she earned a degree in Chemical Engineering and the University of Houston School of Law. Iona has sat for and passed the patent bar and is licensed to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

March 2005
The firm welcomes two new clients: Enkei International and Velsicol Chemical Corporation. Enkei International is world leader in the manufacturing of aluminum casted parts including wheels and auto accessories. Velsicol Chemical Corporation produces specialty chemicals including plasticizers used to give resins and rubbers flexibility. Velsicol’s products are used in adhesives, caulks, coatings, sealants, and PVC resins. We appreciate the confidence these clients have shown in retaining our firm to represent their interests.

February 2005
The firm hosted a Platinum Table at the Minority Corporate Counsel Association Diversity Dinner in Dallas, Texas. The Minority Corporate Counsel Association was founded in 1997 to advocate for the expanded hiring, retention and promotion of minority attorneys in corporate law departments and the law firms that serve them. The dinner honored James Hatcher, Senior Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs of Cox Communications, Inc.; Edward Stead, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Blockbuster, Inc.; and Joaquin R. Carbonell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Cingular Wireless, LLC. The firm congratulates these leaders in the business community for their efforts to attract, retain and promote minority attorneys.

January 2005
The Firm is pleased to welcome several new clients: Cytec Industries, Inc., The Dow Chemical Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, NOVA Chemicals Corporation, Petroleum Geo-Services, and Reichhold, Inc. Cytec Industries is one of the world's leading specialty chemicals and materials companies. Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. Lockheed Martin is an advanced technology company, principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. NOVA Chemicals is a focused commodity chemicals company. PGS is a technologically focused oilfield service company operating in two primary business areas - seismic and production. Reichhold provides advanced polymers and polymer systems based upon the most comprehensive technology found in a single company in the industry. We appreciate the confidence these companies have shown in Schirrmeister Diaz-Arrastia Brem LLP.

January 2005
We welcome to the firm Michael L. Brem who has joined us a partner. The name of the firm has been changed to Schirrmeister Diaz-Arrastia Brem LLP. Mike was formerly a partner in the trial section at Baker Botts LLP, where his practice concentrated on mass tort defense, international litigation, including substantial experience in Latin America, the Philippines and the Caribbean, and commercial litigation representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Mike’s practice both complements and adds new dimensions to our products liability, commercial and international litigation practice. (To view our press release announcing Mike’s joining the firm, click here.)