In this week’s edition of litigation roundup, appellate rulings take center stage. The Texas Supreme Court granted review in a tax dispute between Kinder Morgan and a school district and allowed a sex trafficking lawsuit against Salesforce to proceed. In the Fifth Circuit, a former general counsel and staff attorney at a Louisiana college appeal to revive their pay discrimination and retaliation suit.
Steeped in Conflict, Insurance Bar Works Together to Navigate Evolving Legal Landscape
In sheer numbers, insurance coverage disputes arguably generate more litigation than any other. The American College of Coverage Counsel recently held its annual Insurance Law Symposium at SMU in Dallas to share best practices and explore cutting-edge and emerging issues. Practitioners also addressed two cases on this year’s Texas Supreme Court docket.
Government Touts $38.5M Recovery in Case it Argued ‘Never Should Have Proceeded This Far’
Five years after first arguing that the False Claims Act Lawsuit against Academy Mortgage Corporation should be dismissed, the Department of Justice publicized the $38.5 million settlement on Wednesday. This lawsuit marked the first time a judge denied the government’s motion to dismiss an FCA suit, presenting an issue of first impression to the Ninth Circuit panel that heard the case. Earlier this month, a case that asks what authority and discretion the government should have to dismiss whistleblower actions was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Lawsuit: Elite Privately Owned Texas A&M Dorm ‘Contaminated with Toxic Mold’
A 19-year-old Texas A&M business student has sued the owner and operator of an upscale private dormitory called The Callaway House claiming that her room and other areas of the housing unit are contaminated with toxic mold.
Jury Awards Families of Fatal Crash Victims $12.1M
A Harris County jury awarded the money to the families of three individuals who were among six killed when a twin-engine plane crashed outside Kerrville in 2019. Deliberations took about five hours before the panel determined a Raymond James financial advisor who was piloting the plane was responsible for the crash and was on the clock at the time.
Litigation Roundup: Targa Wants $129M Award Axed, 5th Circ. Won’t Rehear Courtroom Prayer Case
In this week’s edition of litigation roundup, Targa Channelview files its opening brief with the Texas Supreme Court in a long-running $129 million fight with Vitol Americas, Maersk says its not responsible for cargo lost at sea and a former Abraham Watkins’ associate accused of taking files and clients from the firm fires back with an anti-SLAPP dismissal bid.
Comcast, NBC Dropped From $332M Astros Sale Lawsuit
In orders issued Friday morning, the Texas Supreme Court granted a request from Houston Baseball Partners to drop its claims against Comcast and NBC. That means the case now pits current owner Jim Crane against the man who sold him the team, Drayton McLane.