Texas Supreme Court: Is Facebook Immune from Claims It ‘Failed to Warn’ Teen Rape Victims?

Lawyers for three Texas teenagers who were targeted by sexual predators on Facebook, raped and forced into sex trafficking told the Supreme Court of Texas Wednesday that a federal law protecting social media sites from defamation litigation should not shield them their duty to warn and protect minors using its website. The case is being monitored by legal experts nationwide. A win for the plaintiffs could open the floodgates for litigation against Facebook and other social media outlets brought by victims of sexual predators across the country.

February 24, 2021 Mark Curriden

Houston Chronicle: SCOTX to Decide ERCOT’s Sovereign Immunity

The Texas Supreme Court is weighing a 2016 dispute brought by Panda Energy against ERCOT that could decide if the quasi-governmental non-profit corporation power grid operator should be protected from civil lawsuits via a cloak of sovereign immunity. The Houston Chronicle has details.

February 23, 2021 Paul Takahashi of the Houston Chronicle

SCOTX Hears SLAPP Award Dispute in Caged Tiger Case

A 2018 dispute over four white tigers caged for viewing at a Houston restaurant has made its way to SCOTX. The dispute is no longer about the tigers — they found a more appropriate habitat. But sanctions levied for a SLAPP suit filed for commercial defamation are keeping the litigation alive. Janet Elliott has the details.

February 19, 2021 Janet Elliott

Fort Worth Episcopal Property Dispute May Be Heading to SCOTUS…Again

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider whether it will weigh in on issues raised by the long-running $100 million property dispute between factions of the Episcopal Church in Fort Worth. Tony Mauro of The Lawbook is watching the case.

February 18, 2021 Tony Mauro

Lawyer to Dallas Court of Appeals: Ken Paxton ‘Committed Legal Malpractice’

Lawyers for Unity Resources want the Fifth Court of Appeals to declare Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as a “designated responsible third party” in a securities case so they can question Paxton under oath about his role in the alleged securities fraud. The Texas Lawbook was there for oral argument.

February 11, 2021 Mark Curriden

Appeals Court Denies Toyota’s Request to Seal Docs in Reavis Case – Updated

A Dallas appeals court ruled Thursday that a trial court did not abuse its discretion by declining to seal a set of documents at Toyota's request after a 2018 trial that rendered a $242 million verdict. The appeal of the verdict is still pending, but in the meantime, Natalie Posgate dissects the issues around the documents.

February 6, 2021 Natalie Posgate

NDTX Judge Starr: A Famous Uncle, a Ragtop Beetle and a Career of Public Service

U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr has a penchant for public service, fond memories of growing up in West Texas and is a proud owner of a 1962 VW Ragtop Beetle. Judge Starr recently took time out of his busy schedule to share some insights about his background, his career and his experiences so far on the bench.

February 4, 2021 Jason Jordan

Future of Pipeline Projects at Stake in New Case Before U.S. Supreme Court

Invoking the seldom-cited Eleventh Amendment, the U.S. Third Circuit ruled that a law allowing the use of federal powers of eminent domain could not be used against property owned by state governments. The ruling will likely disrupt a number of natural gas pipeline projects aimed at bolstering the nation's energy infrastructure. Tony Mauro explains the stakes.

February 3, 2021 Tony Mauro