Newsroom
Corpus Christi-Edinburg Court of Appeals Rejects County’s, ISD’s Immunity Claims in Disputes with Contractors Hired to Repair Hurricane Harvey Damage
The Corpus Christi-Edinburg Court of Appeals has affirmed three TC orders denying a county’s and ISD’s plea to the jurisdiction in a payment dispute with general contractors over repairs to damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. Aransas County v. NorthStar Recovery...
Beaumont Court of Appeals Mandamuses Trial Court for Refusal to Bifurcate Trial on Policy Benefits, Bad Faith Claims
The Beaumont Court of Appeals has granted an insurer’s petition for writ of mandamus vacating a trial court order denying its motion to bifurcate a trial arising from a dispute over property damage allegedly caused by a hurricane. In re Covington Specialty...
ILR: British TV series Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office Propels and Third Party Litigation Funding (TPLF)
ITV’s Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office Highlights Problematic TPLF Practices January 22, 2024 In recent weeks, the gripping new British TV series Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office, broadcast by ITV, has propelled third party litigation funding (TPLF) into the spotlight....
Business Court Denies Defendant’s Plea to the Jurisdiction in Indemnity Dispute
Another party has tried to get out from under the jurisdiction of the Business Court by alleging that a plaintiff was forum shopping or faking its pleadings to invoke the court’s jurisdiction. Pradera SFR, LLC v. American Housing Ventures, LLC (2026 Tex. Bus. 25;...
Get Out The Vote: Texas Primary Runoff 5-26-26
Voted in the Primary? Vote in the same runoff you chose in March. Didn't Vote? You can vote in either party's runoff. The leaders chosen in these races will help decide whether Texas keeps creating jobs, attracting businesses, and growing opportunities for working...
Business Court Grants Partial Summary Judgment in Contract Dispute Between Chemical Companies
The Business Court has granted partial summary judgment in a dispute between chemical companies over the terms of a purchase and exchange agreement. Westlake Longview Corp. and Westlake Chemical OPCO, LP v. Eastman Chemical Co. (2026 Tex. Bus. 26; May 13, 2026)...
SCOTX Orders El Paso Court of Appeals to Accept Permissive Appeal Where Trial Court Did Not Apply Binding Precedent
The Texas Supreme Court has instructed the El Paso Court of Appeals to accept a permissive appeal to resolve a trial court’s reluctance to apply the Court’s binding precedent. The Court’s action follows through with legislative changes to the interlocutory appeal...
Business Court Grants Motion to Remand to District Court in Multi-Million Dollar Lease Dispute
The Business Court has rejected an attempt to remove a case to Business Court where defendants in a multi-million lease dispute missed the statutory deadline for filing their notice of removal. DrinkPAK, LLC v. PRIII/Crow Building C, LP and Trammell Crow Company,...
Fort Worth Court of Appeals Affirms TC Summary Judgment for Contractor in Third-Party Liability Case
The Fort Worth Court of Appeals has affirmed a trial court order granting summary judgment to a contractor in a worksite injury case in which the plaintiff alleged that the contractor retained control of the subcontractor’s work. Jeremy Haggard v. Blattner Energy,...
SCOTX Mandamuses Trial Court for Allowing Direct Liability Claim Against Trucking Company’s Customer in Wrongful Death Case
The Texas Supreme Court has granted a shipper’s petition for writ of mandamus after a trial court denied its Rule 91a motion to dismiss a wrongful death plaintiff’s claim that the shipper negligently hired a federally-regulated carrier to haul its goods. In re Home...
Dallas Court of Appeals Affirms Defense Summary Judgment in Wrongful Death Case
The Dallas Court of Appeals has affirmed a Dallas County district court’s order granting summary judgment to an independent contractor and subcontractor in a wrongful death action. Christina C. Torres, Individually and as Next Friend of L.N.T., a Minor and as...
SCOTX Reverses Fort Worth Court of Appeals Application of “Gist Rule” to a Royalty Dispute Involving Mineral Leases in West Virginia
The Texas Supreme Court has reversed a Fort Worth Court of Appeals decision overturning a trial court judgment awarding various equitable remedies to a plaintiff in a dispute over royalty payments owed on mineral leases in West Virginia. The Court’s ruling rejects...