Minutes | Filed: March 18, 2026
| Entered: June 18, 2026
In Re: Professional Fee Matters Concerning the Jackson Walker Law Firm
Bankruptcy Withdrawl | Texas Southern
Minute Entry
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 9:00 a.m.
Minute Entry: For proceedings held Wednesday, March 18, 2026, before the Honorable Eduardo V. Rodriguez, Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Texas.
Bankruptcy Case: Seadrill Partners, LLC & Seadrill Ltd. 20-35740
Civil Case No. 4:23-cv-4787 Matter: Motion for Order Approving Compromise and Settlement Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9010, ECF No. 90.
Appearances: Simon Mayer and Phillip Eisenberg for Seadrill, joined by representative, Nicole Anderson; Jason Boland, Julie Harrison, Maria Mokryzycka for Jackson Walker, joined by Rusty Hardin and Emily Smith and Williams Jenkins, General Counsel, for Jackson Walker; Joel Charboneau, Laura Steele, Brian Thill, Vianey Garza, and Millie Sall for United States Trustee, with Kevin Epstein present.
Minutes: Housekeeping matters by Simon Mayer. Joint Stipulation of admissibility and authenticity of Exhibits found at ECF No. 224-2 were accepted by the Court. Exhibit 240-1, designated as #30, admitted.
Opening statements by Mr. Mayer. Mr. Mayer provided a breakdown of attorneys fees and expenses to the Court. Mr. Mayer advised that the Seadrill entities have merged into Seadrill Limited. Opening statements by Mr. Boland. Mr. Boland incorporated statements he made in opening yesterday March 17, 2026, and added additional opening remarks. Opening statements by Mr. Charboneau. Mr. Mayer objection was made and noted by the Court.
Mr. Mayer called Ms. Nicole Anderson. Ms. Anderson was sworn in and provided testimony. Voir Dire exercised by Mr. Charboneau. Further direct testimony provided by Ms. Anderson. Witness again taken on Voir Dire by Mr. Charboneau. Further direct testimony provided by Ms. Anderson.
Break and resumed at 11:10 a.m. with cross examination of Ms. Anderson by Mr. Charboneau. No redirect. Ms. Anderson excused.
Mr. Mayer next called Mr. Phillip G. Eisenberg
as a rebuttal witness. Mr. Eisenberg was sworn in and provided testimony. No cross-examination.Mr. Hardin had no witnesses and rested. Mr. Charboneau had no witnesses and rested.
No briefing Ordered in this matter.
Closing arguments by Mr. Eisenberg, Ms. Harrison and Mr. Charboneau.
Matter taken under advisement.
Exhibits:
For Seadrill
ECF No. 184: Pursuant to a joint stipulation dated March 10, 2026 at ECF No. 224-2, the following exhibits are authentic, were either admitted or were noticed under Federal Rule of Evidence 201 at the March 18, 2026 hearing:
1 Admitted
2 Admitted
3 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
4 Admitted
5 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
6 Admitted
7 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
8 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
9 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
10 Admitted
11 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
12 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
13 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
14 Admitted
15 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
16 Admitted
17 Admitted
18 Admitted
19 Admitted
20 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
21 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
22 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
23 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
24 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
25 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
26 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
27 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
28 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
29 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
ECF No. 240:
1 (Ex. 30) Admitted
For the U. S. Trustee
ECF No. 185
12 - Admitted
For Jackson Walker
ECF No. 206: Pursuant to a joint stipulation dated March 10, 2026 at ECF No. 224-2, the following exhibits are authentic, were either admitted or were noticed under Federal Rule of Evidence 201 at the March 18, 2026 hearing:
4 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
13 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
14 Judicial Notice under FRE 201
17 - Judicial Notice under FRE 201
ECF No. 205:
40 Admitted
March 18, 2026, 11:30 a.m.:
Bankruptcy Case: Brilliant Energy, 21-30936
Civil Case No. 4:23-cv-4787 Matter: Motion for Order Approving Compromise and Settlement Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9010, ECF No. 57.
Appearances: Randy Williams Chapter 7 Trustee, Pro Se; Jason Boland, Julie Harrison, Maria Mokryzycka for Jackson Walker, joined by Rusty Hardin and Emily Smith and Williams Jenkins, General Counsel, for Jackson Walker; Brian Thill, Joel Charboneau, Laura Steele, Vianey Garza, Kevin Epstein and Millie Sall for the United States Trustee.
Minutes: Mr. Williams was sworn in and provided opening statements. Opening statements by Mr. Boland who also incorporated prior opening statements from the March 17, 2026 and March 18, 2026 hearings. Exhibit at 247-1 admitted. Opening statements by Mr. Thill.
Mr. Williams called himself as a witness. Joint Stipulations at ECF No. 218-2 regarding the admissibility and authenticity of Exhibits were accepted by the Court. Mr... (truncated)