Moncrief v Gazprom heard today in the Texas Supreme Court

11-0195
Moncrief Oil International Inc. v. OAO Gazprom
from Tarrant County and the Second District Court of Appeals, Fort Worth
For petitioner: Harriet O’Neill, Austin
For respondents: Aaron M. Streett, Houston
            A principal issue is whether the review standard should be greater than deference when a trial court grants a special appearance to contest personal jurisdiction without live testimony. In the underlying case Moncrief alleges Gazprom, a Russian company, used trade secrets it acquired in Texas pursuant to negotiating a joint venture with Moncrief to establish a competing gas-production and marketing firm. In response Gazprom says its purpose in the Texas discussions was to settle an related federal lawsuit. Without hearing live testimony, the trial court granted Gazprom’s special appearance. The court of appeals affirmed.