15th Court of Appeals Affirms TC Reversal of TCEQ Decision to Issue Water-Rights Permit to Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority

by George Christian | Mar 12, 2026

The 15th Court of Appeals has affirmed a trial court ruling reversing TCEQ’s decision to grant a water-rights permit to a river authority for a substantial diversion of water from the Guadalupe River. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Guadalupe-Blanco...

Divided Houston [14th] Court of Appeals Holds That Third-Party Coverage Defendants in South Carolina Asbestos Case Have Standing to Appeal as Post-Judgment Intervenors in Texas Foreign Order Domestication Proceeding

by George Christian | Mar 11, 2026

Over a dissent, the Houston [14th] Court of Appeals has held that two insurers of a long dissolved Texas corporation facing an asbestos-related wrongful death suit in South Carolina have standing to appeal the company’s receiver’s suit to domesticate the South...

Business Court Splits Baby in Dispute Over Settlement Proceeds in Suit Between Eagleford Gas Producers

by George Christian | Mar 10, 2026

Following the second-ever trial held in the Business Court, the court determined that a squabble over allocation of the proceeds (and responsibility for paying attorney’s fees) of the settlement of a lawsuit brought by Sanchez Oil and Gas against a competitor who...

El Paso Court of Appeals Reverses TC Order Denying Medical Provider’s Objections to Plaintiffs’ Expert Reports

by George Christian | Mar 10, 2026

The El Paso Court of Appeals has returned a case to the trial court for erroneously overruling a home health care provider’s objections to Plaintiffs’ expert reports. AOC TX, LLC d/b/a Angels of Care Pediatric Home Health v. Naomi Landeros and Carlos Silva,...

In Case of First Impression Dallas Court of Appeals Hears Relator’s Motion for Rehearing Where It Dismissed Relator’s Original Proceeding as Moot

by George Christian | Mar 9, 2026

In a case of first impression, the Dallas Court of Appeals heard a relator’s motion for rehearing following its dismissal of the relator’s petition for writ of mandamus for mootness. The issue involved the construction of § 15.0642, CPRC, which establishes the...

Dallas Court of Appeals Reverses $12 Million Judgment, $700,000 Attorney’s Fee Award in Construction Contract Dispute

by George Christian | Mar 6, 2026

The Dallas Court of Appeals has reversed a $12 million judgment against a property owner and surety, along with $700,000 in attorney’s fees, in a breach of contract suit filed by a general contractor. KWA Construction, L.P. and Hartford Fire Insurance Company v. ADC...

In Case of First Impression, Houston [14th] Court of Appeals Rules That Forum Non Conveniens Statute Does Not Permit Trial Courts to Consider Plaintiff’s Change of Residency to Texas After Suit is Filed

by George Christian | Mar 5, 2026

In a case of first impression, the Houston [14th] Court of Appeals has held that courts may not determine whether a plaintiff is a legal resident of Texas for purposes of the Texas-resident exception to the forum non conveniens statute if the plaintiff became a...

Houston [14th] Court of Appeals Upholds Punitive Damages Award in Defamation Case

by George Christian | Mar 4, 2026

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 The...

Business Court Finds Jurisdiction in Royalty Dispute Over Frac Sand Sales

by George Christian | Mar 4, 2026

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. 9;...

SCOTX to Hear Arguments Today in Closely-Watched Case Involving Construction of Mineral Lease

by George Christian | Mar 3, 2026

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 similar...