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Attorneys - Syd Falk
Syd Falk
Associated Practice Areas
Biography
Syd has represented a broad range of clients focusing on governmental and entrepreneurial matters involving strategic issues. He has advised governmental entities on matters involving environmental regulations; energy, gas and electric utilities, oil and gas leases and royalties, natural gas purchasing and transportation contracting; open records and open meetings; elections, voting rights and redistricting; contracting, competitive bidding and purchasing; and intellectual property. He provides strategic counseling, drafts both complex and routine business documents, and defends against a variety of governmental and business law suits. His scientific and analytical background provide a strong base for complex and technical matters.
Representative Experience
Chen v. City of Houston voting rights case defending the City's redistricting plan against a Shaw v. Reno challenge. The district court granted summary judgement in favor of the City, and the Fifth Circuit affirmed. The Supreme Court denied the petition for writ of certiorari; 206 F.3d 502 (5th Cir.(Tex.), Mar 09, 2000)
(NO. 98-20440)
Environmnetal Defense Center, Inc. v. U.S. E.P.A., 344 F .3d 832, 57 ERC 1039, #33 Envtl. L. Rep. 20,269,3 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 8398, 2003 Daily Journal D.A.R. 10,479 (9th Cir.(Cal.), Sep 15, 2003) (NO. 00-70014, 00-70734, 00-70822) (Challenge to E.P.A. Stormwater Phase II rule)
Environmental Defense Center, Inc. v. U.S. E.P.A., 319 F.3d 398, 55 ERC 1833, 33 Envtl. L. Rep. 20,139, 3 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 369, 2003 Daily Journal D.A.R. 467 (9th Cir., Jan 14, 2003) (NO. 00-70014, 00-70734, 00-70822) (same)
GDF Realty Investments, Ltd. v. Norton, 326 F.3d 622, 56 ERC 1033 (5th Cir.(Tex.), Mar 26, 2003) (NO. 01-51099)(amicus brief regarding Commerce Clause challenge to Endangered Species Act as applied to private property)
Shields v. Norton 289 F.3d 832, 54 ERC 1477,32 Envtl. L. Rep. 20,639 (5th Cir.(Tex.), Apr 26, 2002) (NO. 00-50839)(amicus brief regarding application of Endangered Species Act to private property)
Sierra Club v. City of San Antonio, 112 F.3d 789,65 USLW 2735, 44 ERC 1982, 27 Envtl. L. Rep. 21,051 (5th Cir.(Tex), Apr 30, 1997) (NO. 96-50636) (Endangered Species Act case)
Sierra Club v. Glickman, 82 F.3d 106,42 ERC 1989, 34 Fed.R.Serv.3d 476, 26 Envtl. L. Rep. 21,198 (5th Cir.(Tex.),May 02, 1996) (NO.95-50672) (Endangered Species Act case)
Sierra Club v. Babbitt, 995 F.2d Envtl. L. Rep. 20,891 (5th Cir.(Tex.), Jul 02, 1993) (NO. 93-8123) (Endangered Species Act case)
Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority v. City of Lyttle, 937 F.2d 184 (5th Cir.(Tex.), Aug 02, 1991) (NO. 90-8064)
Interlocal Agreements for local governments
Competitive bidding and purchasing programs for municipal electric utilities natural gas fuel supply
Natural gas transportation contracting for municipal and county governments
Construction and goods contract drafting and review for local governments
Outside general counsel for the Greater Austin Area Telecommunications Network
Trademark registration for public and private entities
Copyright and software licensing agreements for public and private entities
(NO. 98-20440)
Environmnetal Defense Center, Inc. v. U.S. E.P.A., 344 F .3d 832, 57 ERC 1039, #33 Envtl. L. Rep. 20,269,3 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 8398, 2003 Daily Journal D.A.R. 10,479 (9th Cir.(Cal.), Sep 15, 2003) (NO. 00-70014, 00-70734, 00-70822) (Challenge to E.P.A. Stormwater Phase II rule)
Environmental Defense Center, Inc. v. U.S. E.P.A., 319 F.3d 398, 55 ERC 1833, 33 Envtl. L. Rep. 20,139, 3 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 369, 2003 Daily Journal D.A.R. 467 (9th Cir., Jan 14, 2003) (NO. 00-70014, 00-70734, 00-70822) (same)
GDF Realty Investments, Ltd. v. Norton, 326 F.3d 622, 56 ERC 1033 (5th Cir.(Tex.), Mar 26, 2003) (NO. 01-51099)(amicus brief regarding Commerce Clause challenge to Endangered Species Act as applied to private property)
Shields v. Norton 289 F.3d 832, 54 ERC 1477,32 Envtl. L. Rep. 20,639 (5th Cir.(Tex.), Apr 26, 2002) (NO. 00-50839)(amicus brief regarding application of Endangered Species Act to private property)
Sierra Club v. City of San Antonio, 112 F.3d 789,65 USLW 2735, 44 ERC 1982, 27 Envtl. L. Rep. 21,051 (5th Cir.(Tex), Apr 30, 1997) (NO. 96-50636) (Endangered Species Act case)
Sierra Club v. Glickman, 82 F.3d 106,42 ERC 1989, 34 Fed.R.Serv.3d 476, 26 Envtl. L. Rep. 21,198 (5th Cir.(Tex.),May 02, 1996) (NO.95-50672) (Endangered Species Act case)
Sierra Club v. Babbitt, 995 F.2d Envtl. L. Rep. 20,891 (5th Cir.(Tex.), Jul 02, 1993) (NO. 93-8123) (Endangered Species Act case)
Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority v. City of Lyttle, 937 F.2d 184 (5th Cir.(Tex.), Aug 02, 1991) (NO. 90-8064)
Interlocal Agreements for local governments
Competitive bidding and purchasing programs for municipal electric utilities natural gas fuel supply
Natural gas transportation contracting for municipal and county governments
Construction and goods contract drafting and review for local governments
Outside general counsel for the Greater Austin Area Telecommunications Network
Trademark registration for public and private entities
Copyright and software licensing agreements for public and private entities
Career Highlights, Honors and Appointments
Former Briefing Attorney to Hon. Will Garwood, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, September 1984 - August 1985
Educational and Professional Background
University of Texas (J.D. 1984)
University of Texas (Ph.D. Astronomy [Theoretical Astrophysics] 1974)
Rice University (B.A. Physics, 1969; M.S. Space Science 1972)
Admitted to Practice: The Supreme Court of Texas, 1984; Supreme Court of the United States; United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits; United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas.
University of Texas (Ph.D. Astronomy [Theoretical Astrophysics] 1974)
Rice University (B.A. Physics, 1969; M.S. Space Science 1972)
Admitted to Practice: The Supreme Court of Texas, 1984; Supreme Court of the United States; United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits; United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas.
Scientific Experience
Research Fellow in Physics, Kellogg Radiation Laboratories, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 1974-76
R.R. McCormick Fellow, Enrico Fermi Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 1976-78
Visiting Summer Faculty Fellow, IBM- T.J. Watson Corporate Research Laboratories, Yorktown Heights, NY, summer 1977
Assistant Professor, Astronomy Department, University of Texas at Austin, Austin,TX, 1978-82
Scientific Consultant, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratories, NM, 1979-86
R.R. McCormick Fellow, Enrico Fermi Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 1976-78
Visiting Summer Faculty Fellow, IBM- T.J. Watson Corporate Research Laboratories, Yorktown Heights, NY, summer 1977
Assistant Professor, Astronomy Department, University of Texas at Austin, Austin,TX, 1978-82
Scientific Consultant, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratories, NM, 1979-86
LGS '08- Dealing With the Protesting Bidder
