Newsroom
SCOTX Mandamuses Houston [14th] Court of Appeals to Consider Whether Judgment Debtor Posted Adequate Alternative Security
In a per curiam opinion, SCOTX sent the matter back to the court of appeals. Issue one was the dispute over ex-husband’s net worth. After detailing the applicable statutes (§§ 52.006, .007) and TRAP 24.1 and 24.2, the Court noted that the parties agreed that the...
SCOTX Reverses Plainly Erroneous El Paso Court of Appeals Decision in Commercial Trucking Case
The Texas Supreme Court has reversed a divided El Paso Court of Appeals’ ruling that a plaintiff in a commercial trucking case presented more than a scintilla of evidence to overcome defendants’ no-evidence summary judgment motion where plaintiff didn’t have any...
SCOTX Reverses Nuclear Verdict in Werner Case
In a case in which we and just about every other organization on the defense side of the bar appeared as amici, the Texas Supreme Court has reversed a Houston [14th] Court of Appeals opinion affirming a $100 million verdict against a commercial trucking company....
SCOTX Mandamuses South Texas Trial Court in Phantom Damages Case
The Texas Supreme Court has granted a major corporation’s petition for mandamus in a South Texas in which the plaintiff’s lawyer, operating under letters of protection, manufactured grossly inflated medical bills in a fender-bender case. In re Space Exploration...
SCOTX Rules That Produced Water Conveys to the Producer Under a Typical Oil-and-Gas Lease
In a case closely watched by oil and gas producers and surface owners, the Texas Supreme Court has decided that produced water, the chemical mix of brine and drilling, fracking, and formation fluids that comes out of the well bore along with oil and gas, belongs to...
SCOTX Agrees to Review Dallas Court of Appeals Decision Overturning Plaintiff’s Verdict Based on Trial Court’s Spoliation Charge
The Texas Supreme Court has granted review of a Dallas Court of Appeals decision overturning a jury verdict and remanding for new trial based on the trial court’s spoliation charge. Ron Valk d/b/a Platinum Construction v. Copper Creek Distributors, Inc. and Jose...
SCOTX Grants Review of Fort Worth Court of Appeals Decision Dismissing Dispute Involving West Virginia Mineral Interests for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction
The Texas Supreme Court has agreed to review a Fort Worth Court of Appeals’ decision dismissing a dispute concerning the ownership of West Virginia mineral interests. Robert Scott Bauer and Braxton Minerals II, LLC v. Braxton Minerals III, LLC (No. 24-0438; granted...
Texas Supreme Court Finds No Jurisdiction in Products Liability Case Against Foreign Manufacturer of Fuel Pumps
The Texas Supreme Court has reversed a Corpus Christi Court of Appeals decision affirming a trial court order denying the special appearance of a South Korean parts manufacturer of an allegedly defective fuel pump. Hyundam Industrial Company, Ltd. v. Paul Swacina,...
SCOTX Finds No Jurisdiction Over Austrian Aircraft Engine Manufacturer in Product Liability Lawsuit
In a case in which TCJL filed an amicus curiae brief in support of an Austrian aircraft-engine manufacturer in a product liability suit, SCOTX has reversed a Dallas Court of Appeals’ decision that Texas courts had no specific jurisdiction over the manufacturer by...
SCOTX Establishes Standard for Recovery of Equitable Monetary Damages in Breach of Contract Cases Where Nonbreaching Party Seeks Specific Performance
In a case that conjures up William Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765-69), the Texas Supreme Court has held that the Waco Court of Appeals did not properly consider the rule of equity that permits an award of monetary damages to a party seeking...
TCJL Final Bill Tracking Report 6-23-25
TCJL Tracked Bill List 6.23.25 June 23, 2025 This list reflects final action. New actions are highlighted in red. TCJL PRIORITY BILLS New Causes of Action Tort Liability Construction Law Freedom to Contract Health Care Liability Judicial Matters/Practice of...
SCOTX Reverses Houston [14th] Court of Appeals Decision Declining to Dismiss Suit Against City Based on Emergency Exception to Tort Claims Act
The Texas Supreme Court has reversed a Houston [14th] Court of Appeals decision that a plaintiff in a personal injury action against the City of Houston raised a material fact issue as to whether a police officer responding to an emergency acted with willful or...