Newsroom
Business Court Grants Temporary Injunction in Breach of Noncompete Agreement Case
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”
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
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...
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
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...
SCOTX Reverses Houston [1st] Court of Appeals Affirmation of $26 Million Award to Fracking Water Supplier in Breach of Contract Case
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...
SCOTX Reverses El Paso Court of Appeals Decision Holding That 1/128 Fixed Royalty Really Meant 1/16 Floating Nonparticpating Interest
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....
Divided SCOTX Reverses Beaumont Court of Appeals in Important Contractual Indemnity Case
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
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
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...
Governor Abbott Appoints Laura Pratt To Seventh Court of Appeals
Governor Greg Abbott appointed Laura Pratt to the Seventh Court of Appeals, Place 2 for a term set to expire December 31, 2026, or until her successor shall be duly elected and qualified. Laura Pratt of Lubbock is a member attorney at Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC....
Houston [14th] Court of Appeals Reverses TC Award of Prejudgment Interest in Excess of UIM Policy Limits
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....