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

Dallas Appeals Court: Ex-Clients of Ken Paxton Can List Him as ‘Responsible Third Party’ in Securities Fraud Litigation

Investment firm Unity Resources scored a significant victory Thursday in a hotly contested securities fraud litigation when the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Dallas agreed that a lower court erred in not allowing the company to name Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as a “designated responsible third party” in the case.

April 30, 2021 Mark Curriden

Energy Industry Week at SCOTUS

Two important energy cases are being argued before the U.S. Supreme Court this coming week. One involves hardship exemptions; the other, the use of eminent domain to build energy pipelines. Both are being closely watched by an anxious industry. The Lawbook's Tony Mauro reports from Washington D.C.

April 23, 2021 Tony Mauro

SCOTX Rules Against River Authority in Hurricane Harvey Flooding Case

Property owners near Houston, whose homes were flood by waters released from a reservoir during Hurricane Harvey, won a major victory at the Texas Supreme Court on Friday when the court ruled that the agency that controls the dam has no governmental immunity from lawsuits. The Lawbook explains.

April 16, 2021 Allen Pusey

SCOTX Hands Win to Insurers in 19-Year Homeowner Mold Dispute

Friday’s opinion marks the near-end of a 19-year legal battle for Farmers Insurance and its lawyers at Norton Rose Fulbright — featuring two appeals on class certification issues, a mandamus proceeding, a jury trial and now an appeal before the Texas Supreme Court.

April 10, 2021 Natalie Posgate