Newsroom
Justices Young, Sullivan Sound Alarm Over Constitutionality of Texas’ Qui Tam Statute for Medicaid Fraud
In a concurring opinion on the denial of mandamus requested by a defendant in a Medicaid fraud qui tam action, Justices Evan Young and James Sullivan have invited the 15th Court of Appeals to consider the constitutionality of qui tam litigation before SCOTX has to....
Austin Court of Appeals Affirms Defense Summary Judgment in Dram Shop Case
The Austin Court of Appeals has upheld a trial court order granting summary judgment to an Austin-area sports bar in a dram shop case. Jane Stuart Wilson, and George Zahar, Jr., as Administrator of the Estate of Samuel Zahar, Deceased v. Shooters Billiards &...
Governor Abbott Appoints Hawkins As Justice Of The Supreme Court Of Texas
Governor Greg Abbott appointed Kyle Hawkins as Justice, Place 7, on the Supreme Court of Texas for a term set to expire on December 31, 2026. "Kyle Hawkins is a proven defender of both the U.S. and Texas Constitutions," said Governor Abbott. "Most recently, as a...
Constitutional Amendments on the November 2025 Ballot
There are 17 proposed constitutional amendments on the Texas November 2025 ballot. Complete information is available on the Texas Secretary of State website at https://www.sos.texas.gov/elections/forms/2025-explanatory-statements.pdf. Find your Early Voting and...
Dallas Court of Appeals Corrects Egregious Trial Court Ruling on Out-of-State Defendant’s Special Appearance
The Dallas Court of Appeals has reversed a Dallas County court at law’s order denying a defendant’s special appearance in a breach of contract and fraud case and dismissed the defendant from the case. Greg Lindberg v. Scott Roskind, Individually, as Representative...
Corpus Christi Court of Appeals Grants Mandamus in Dispute Over Validity of Venue-Selection Clause in Oil and Gas PSA
The Corpus Christi Court of Appeals has conditionally granted a group of oil producers’ petition for writ of mandamus seeking to invalidate a venue-selection clause, finding the agreement at issue did not involve a “major transaction” under § 15.020, CPRC. In Re...
15th Court of Appeals Mandamuses Collin County Trial Court That Ordered Production of Patients’ Medical Records Before Dallas County Trial Court Ruled on Motions for Protection
The 15th Court of Appeals has conditionally granted mandamus petitions filed by 22 nonparty patients whose medical records have been subpoenaed by the state in an SB 14 lawsuit against two physicians. In re Nonparty Patient No. 1, et al. (No. 15-25-00031(2)-CV;...
Eastland Court of Appeals Denies Oil and Gas Operator Mandamus to Lift Abatement of Dec Action Against Insurer in Third-Party Liability Case
In a third-party liability case involving an oil and gas operator, an oilfield services company, and the services company’s liability insurer, the Eastland Court of Appeals has denied the operator’s petition for writ of mandamus seeking to lift a trial court order...
Business Court Rules Natural Gas Seller That Declared Force Majeure During Winter Storm Uri Was Not Obligated to Purchase Gas on the Spot-Market
In a case arising from natural gas production interruptions caused by Winter Storm Uri, the Business Court [11TH Division] has ruled that a natural-gas purchase and sale agreement did not require the Seller to purchase gas on the spot market to meet its delivery...
Houston [14th] Court of Appeals Mandamuses Trial Court for Issuing TRO Without Jurisdiction
The Houston [14th] Court of Appeals has granted Texas Central Railroad’s petition for writ of mandamus to compel a Harris County district court to vacate an ex parte TRO in a class action lawsuit brought by “unsuspecting tenants” on the railroad’s property. In re...
Eastland Court of Appeals Reverses Judgment for Landowner Who Buried Producer’s Flowlines
The Eastland Court of Appeals has reversed a trial court judgment awarding damages to a surface estate owner who took it upon himself to bury a producer’s flow lines when the producer did not fully comply with a lease provision permitting the lessor to request...
Houston [14th] Court of Appeals Rejects Port Freeport’s Condemnation Petition for Failing to Specify Public Use
The Houston [14th] Court of Appeals has reversed a trial court order granting summary judgment to Port Freeport on the basis that its condemnation petition failed to state public use with the statutorily required specificity. Henry Jones, et al. v. Port Freeport...