Newsroom
Houston [14th] Court of Appeals Upholds Punitive Damages Award in Defamation Case
The Houston [14th] Court of Appeals has upheld a punitive damages award in a defamation case arising from a business split between insurance agents. Leonard Amell, Sabrina Amell, and Leonard R. Amell Insurance Agency v. William Van Pelt and Kimberly Van Pelt and...
Business Court Finds Jurisdiction in Royalty Dispute Over Frac Sand Sales
The Business Court has ruled that it has jurisdiction over a breach of contract action involving a frac sand company’s alleged failure to pay royalties to a sales representative for the company. Angela Yaun v. Battle & Sands Energy Corp., et al. (2026 Tex. Bus....
SCOTX to Hear Arguments Today in Closely-Watched Case Involving Construction of Mineral Lease
This morning SCOTX will hear arguments in a mineral deed dispute between a producer and royalty owner that could have a significant effect on the amount of royalties owed under a deed that reserves an interest on production that is “free of cost forever” (or...
Business Court Confirms Arbitration Award in Dispute Between Railroad and Telecommunications Company
The Business Court has confirmed an arbitration award in favor of a telecommunications company in a dispute with a railroad over rates the company paid the railroad for infringement on the railroad’s right-of-way. BNSF Railway Company v. Level 3 Communications, LLC...
Business Court Denies Special Appearance in Dispute Between Airlines
The Business Court [8th Division] has denied JetBlue’s special appearance in a contract dispute with Texas-based American Airlines. American Airlines, Inc. v. JetBlue Airways Corporation (2026 Tex. Bus. 7; February 19, 2025) arose from a contract dispute between...
15th Court of Appeals Holds District Court Had No Jurisdiction to Intervene in Workers’ Compensation Discovery Dispute
The 15th Court of Appeals has dismissed for lack of jurisdiction an attempt by a workers’ compensation claimant to use a district court to block an administrative law judge’s order on a discovery matter in a workers’ compensation dispute. In re Fort Bend County...
On Remand from SCOTX, Dallas Court of Appeals Holds Its Ground, Reaffirms Judgment for Bank in Loan Default Case
On remand from the Texas Supreme Court, the Dallas Court of Appeals has reaffirmed its earlier decision affirming a judgment for the bank in a sizable loan default case. Ja-Lynn Kuo, JLKuo, PLLC, Subho Mullick, SM ER, PLC, Salima Amin Thobani, and SRG Consulting,...
Houston [14th] Court of Appeals Reverses $500,000 in Product Liability Case Based on Improperly Admitted Evidence
The Houston [14th] Court of Appeals has reversed a judgment awarding a plaintiff $500,000 in a product liability case because the trial court improperly admitted a previously undisclosed expert opinion that prejudiced the defendant. American Honda Motor Co., Inc....
Corpus Christi Court of Appeals Reverses Judgment for Plaintiff in Workers’ Compensation Retaliation Case That Should Have Been Tried in Another County
The Corpus Christi/Edinburg Court of Appeals reversed a trial court judgment for a plaintiff in a workers’ compensation retaliation case, holding that the trial court erroneously denied defendant contractor’s motion to transfer venue. Marquis Construction Services,...
Beaumont Court of Appeals Denies Mandamus Relief, Upholds TC Order Denying Defendant’s Motion to Compel Arbitration in Personal Injury Case
The Beaumont Court of Appeals has denied defendant’s petition for writ of mandamus and affirmed a trial court order denying its motion to compel arbitration in a vehicle rollover case. Service First Automotive LLC D/B/A Caliber Auto Care v. Christopher David...
Houston [14th] Court of Appeals Mandamuses Trial Court for Overbroad Discovery Order in Wrongful Death Case
The Houston [14th] Court of Appeals granted mandamus relief to a defendant in a wrongful death case after trial court ordered overbroad and irrelevant discovery. In re Family Dollar Stores, Inc. and Family Dollar Stores of Texas, LLC (No. 14-25-00668-CV; December...
Eastland Court of Appeals Largely Affirms Defense Judgment in Driver’s Suit Against Lyft, Liberty Mutual
The Eastland Court of appeals has for the most part affirmed a trial court order granting summary judgment to Lyft and its insurer, Liberty Mutual, in a case involving a Lyft driver who had a wreck when his network app was turned on but he had accepted a ride....