Business Court Grants Temporary Injunction in Breach of Noncompete Agreement Case

by George Christian | Mar 25, 2026

The Business Court has granted an employer’s request for a temporary injunction to block a former employee from engaging in competitive activities despite a noncompete agreement. Galderma Laboratories, L.P. v. Erick Brenner (2026 Tex. Bus. 12; March 12, 2026) arose...

Reversing San Antonio Court of Appeals, SCOTX Holds That A Turkey Trot is “Recreational”

by George Christian | Mar 24, 2026

In a decision reminiscent of the Dallas Court of Appeals’ pronouncement that a tornado is not a windstorm, the Texas Supreme Court reversed a San Antonio Court of Appeals decision that (mind-bogglingly) held that a jogger in a 5K run in downtown San Antonio was not...

SCOTX Upholds “Location of Buyer” Sourcing Rule for Apportioning Texas Receipts Under Franchise Tax

by George Christian | Mar 23, 2026

In an important tax decision for the state, the Texas Supreme Court has affirmed an Austin Court of Appeals ruling that upheld a Comptroller rule that governs sourcing of a taxpayer’s gross receipts for purposes of apportioning them to Texas under the franchise tax....

Eastland Court of Appeals Holds That Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act Does Not Bar Contractor From Enforcing, as Third-Party Beneficiary, Mutual Defense and Indemnification Agreement Between Operator and Oilfield Services Provider

by George Christian | Mar 20, 2026

In a case that thoroughly reviews the question of whether the Texas Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act (Chapter 127) excludes claims by third-party beneficiaries to enforce “knock-for-knock” agreements between operators and oilfield services contractors, the Eastland Court...

SCOTX Reverses Houston [1st] Court of Appeals Affirmation of $26 Million Award to Fracking Water Supplier in Breach of Contract Case

by George Christian | Mar 19, 2026

The Texas Supreme Court has reversed a Houston [1st] Court of Appeals decision affirming a sizable judgment in favor of a fracking water supplier in a breach of contract case. Equinor Energy LP v. Lindale Pipeline (No. 24-0425; March 13, 2026) arose a contract dispute...

SCOTX Reverses El Paso Court of Appeals Decision Holding That 1/128 Fixed Royalty Really Meant 1/16 Floating Nonparticpating Interest

by George Christian | Mar 18, 2026

The Texas Supreme Court has reversed an El Paso Court of Appeals decision that misapplied the Court’s ruling in Van Dyke v. Navigator Group to find that a deed conveying a 1/128 fixed interest actually conveyed a 1/16 floating interest. Cale Andrews Clifton, et al. v....

Divided SCOTX Reverses Beaumont Court of Appeals in Important Contractual Indemnity Case

by George Christian | Mar 17, 2026

A closely divided Texas Supreme Court has reversed a Beaumont Court of Appeals decision that erroneously applied the express negligence rule to an indemnity provision in a contract between a general and subcontractor. S&B Engineers & Constructors, Ltd. and...

SCOTX Reverses El Paso Court of Appeals Decision Blocking Landowner from Appealing Groundwater District’s Denial of Party Status

by George Christian | Mar 16, 2026

A unanimous Texas Supreme Court has reversed two El Paso Court of Appeals’ decisions holding that it lacked jurisdiction to consider a landowner’s appeal of the district’s denial of its request for party status to contest a permit application. Cockrell Investment...

Houston [14th] Court of Appeals Affirms TC Order Granting Summary Judgment for Employer in Dispute Over Arbitration Agreement

by George Christian | Mar 16, 2026

The Houston [14th] Court of Appeals has affirmed a TC order granting an employer’s motion for summary judgment in case in which an arbitrator determined that Plaintiff-employee had failed to adhere to the arbitration agreement’s requirement that she submit her...

Houston [14th] Court of Appeals Reverses TC Award of Prejudgment Interest in Excess of UIM Policy Limits

by George Christian | Mar 13, 2026

The Houston [14th] Court of Appeals has affirmed a trial court judgment in favor of the insured in a UIM case but reversed the trial court’s award of prejudgment interest in excess of policy limits. State Farm Automobile Insurance Company v. Lance Bellis (No....