Judge Keeps Most Enron Banks, Law Firm in Suit

A federal judge refused to release most of Enron Corp.’s investment banks from a class-action stockholder lawsuit, but she dismissed cases against Deutsche Bank and law firm Kirkland & Ellis.

U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon in Houston decided that eight major investment banks and Enron’s chief outside law firm, Texas legal powerhouse Vinson & Elkins, will have to defend themselves in the sprawling stock-fraud suit.

The decision also gives the lead plaintiff, the University of California Board of Regents, access to confidential records of the banks and Enron relating to the myriad deals and partnerships the energy firm undertook.