SCOTX Refuses to Dismiss Houston Sex Trafficking Case Against Facebook

The Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday that some – but not all – allegations in three separate lawsuits brought against Facebook by three teenagers who say they were victims of sexual predators can move forward to trial Houston. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act does not provide absolute immunity to internet providers such as Facebook in civil lawsuits when their own “misdeeds” are part of the allegation, justices said.

June 25, 2021 Mark Curriden

Juries Belong in Court, Not on Zoom, Rusty Hardin Contends

A Houston company sued after a tragic trucking accident says that with $100 million on the line, it has a right to look jurors in the eye. Bruce Tomaso explains the viewpoints of both sides, which pit two prominent Houston trial lawyers against each other.

June 14, 2021 Bruce Tomaso

Fifth Court of Appeals Affirms Summary Judgment Denial in D Magazine Libel Case

The defamation suit brought by a woman accused by D Magazine of living in University Park while on a federal food program took a step closer to trial last week when the Fifth Court of Appeals refused to dismiss her case against the Dallas publication. The court ruled that enough issues of fact have been raised by the plaintiff to preclude a summary judgment. Allen Pusey has details.

June 14, 2021 Allen Pusey

Justice Eva Guzman Resigns From Texas Supreme Court

The first Hispanic woman elected to statewide office in 2010, Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman announced Monday that she is resigning from the state's highest court this coming Friday. Guzman, who has been a judge in Texas for 22 years, gained a reputation as an aggressive questioner during oral arguments. The Texas Lawbook's Allen Pusey has the details.

June 7, 2021 Allen Pusey

Appeals Court Preserves Nine-Figure Jury Verdict Against Toyota — Updated

A three-judge panel in the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas Thursday affirmed a $213 million trial court judgment against Toyota Motor Corp. The case revolved around a rear-end collision in 2016 that left two children severely brain-damaged. A Dallas jury concluded in 2018 that the injuries were exacerbated by a defective seatback design in the family's 2002 Lexus. The Lawbook's Natalie Posgate has details of the court's 2-1 decision.

June 3, 2021 Natalie Posgate

SCOTX Supports Electronic MAAs; Justice Boyd’s Dylanesque Dissent

When the Texas Supreme Court reversed a trial court on an issue over electronic signatures, Justice Jeffrey Boyd had a problem. The court had already decided the case, he noted in dissent, 90 years ago. The Lawbook's Allen Pusey reviews Judge Boyd's singular opinion in which he takes Bob Dylan along for the ride.

May 28, 2021 Allen Pusey

SCOTX Extends Immunity to Transactional Lawyers, Limits on Lawyer Media Outreach

In two decisions filed Friday, the Texas Supreme Court extended long overdue immunity from non-client lawsuits to the work of transactional lawyers, but declared limits on lawyer media outside the courtroom. The Lawbook has the details.

May 24, 2021 Allen Pusey

SCOTX Preserves 30-Year-Old Trade Secrets Rule

In a case closely observed by First Amendment advocates, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday that a trial court erred when it agreed to seal from public scrutiny exhibits that had been subject to trade secret protections but were revealed in open court.

April 30, 2021 Allen Pusey