Newsroom
15th Court of Appeals Rules for Manufacturer in Dispute Over Manufacturing Sales Tax Exemption
The 15th Court of Appeals has affirmed a Travis County district court ruling in favor of the taxpayer in a dispute with the Comptroller over the application of the sales tax exemption for property used in the manufacturing process. Kelly Hancock, Acting Comptroller...
SCOTX Reverses Dallas Court of Appeals, Rules That a Tornado is a Windstorm
Almost two years ago we reported on a Dallas Court of Appeals decision holding that a homeowners insurance policy with a special deductible for damage caused by a “windstorm” does not apply to damage caused by a tornado. Last April SCOTX granted review. In an...
San Antonio Court of Appeals Hands Bexar CAD Major Defeat in Taxpayer Lawsuit
The San Antonio Court of Appeals has dealt the Bexar Central Appraisal District a legal defeat that cost local governments in the county millions of dollars in property tax revenue. Bexar Appraisal District v. Abasto Properties, et al. (No. 04-22-00675-CV; December...
Houston [1st] Court of Appeals Affirms TC Denial of Chapter 74 Motion to Dismiss for Inadequate Expert Report
In this interlocutory appeal, the Houston [1st] Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s order denying a motion to dismiss a healthcare liability claim based on an inadequate expert report. In Methodist Health Centers and The Methodist Hospital v. Scott...
Corpus Christi Court of Appeals Reverses TC Order Denying Trustee’s TCPA Motion to Dismiss as to Some Claims, Not Others
In this interlocutory appeal, Frost Bank contended the TC erred in denying its motion to dismiss under the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA). Frost Bank v. Michele Glenn, Individually, Perry Hiller, Individually and as Duly Appointed Administrator of the...
SCOTX to Hear Arguments in Big Qui Tam Medicaid Fraud Case
This morning SCOTX will hear oral arguments in a case analyzing the materiality requirements of “false statement” and “omission” claims under the Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act (TMFPA). The Houston [1st] Court of Appeals reversed and remanded a lower court’s...
Business Court Denies Defense Motion to Reconsider Remand Order and for Permissive Appeal
The Business Court has reaffirmed its decision last month to grant a plaintiff’s motion to remand a case to district court because the defendants’ motion was untimely. Sun Metals Group, LLC v. Shuangcheng Yu, Mengling Sun, Sunmetals Products of American, Inc, and...
Houston [1st] Court of Appeals Mandamuses Trial Court That Ignored a Valid Appraisal Clause in Homeowner Policy
The First District Court of Appeals has granted an insurance company’s writ of mandamus after a trial court denied its motion to compel appraisal. In Re American Zurich Insurance Company (No. 01-25-00580-CV; November 20, 2025) arose from a dispute between...
Business Court Rules It Has Jurisdiction in Dispute Between Title Companies Involving Misappropriation of Customer Lists
The Business Court has denied a title company’s motion to remand its claims against another title company and former employee for conspiring to steal its customers. Alamo Title Company v. WFG National Title Company of Texas, LLC (No. 25BC04-0017; 2026 Tex. Bus. 6;...
Houston [1st] Court of Appeals Affirms TC Summary Judgment Dismissing Developer, Engineers from Hurricane Harvey Suit by Homeowners
The Houston [1st] Court of Appeals has declined the opportunity to impose a new common law duty on a developer of a residential subdivision that years after the construction of its homes suffered a catastrophic flood resulting from Hurricane Harvey. Jason...
Corpus Christi Court of Appeals Mandamuses Trial Court for Denying Insurer’s Intervention in Homeowner’s Storm Damage Claim Against Adjusters
The Corpus Christi Court of Appeals has mandamused a Cameron County trial court for denying an insurer’s intervention in an insured’s lawsuit against an adjuster and refusing to enforce the adjusters’ election of responsibility under § 542A.006, Insurance Code. In...
San Antonio Court of Appeals Reverses Defense Summary Judgment in Trucking, UIM Case
The San Antonio Court of Appeals has reversed a trial court order granting summary judgment to an employer and several insurers in a car wreck case involving an employee driver. Enrique Cantu and Bridgefield Casualty Insurance Company v. Javier Lisbon, Nosbil, Inc....