The Fourteenth Court’s two sitting Republican justices — Tracy Christopher and Ken Wise — have won their races, while two Democratic challengers — Veronica Rivas-Molloy and Amparo Monique Guerra — have defeated their incumbent opponents in the First Court of Appeals.
SCOTX Scrutinizes a 30-Year-Old Rule on Trade Secrets
In HouseCanary v. Title Source, a scrap over source code pits a 2013 law designed to protect trade secrets against a longstanding rule of Texas Civil Procedure that presumes that court records are open to the public. At stake is not only a jury verdict of more than $700 million, but a longstanding vision of public trust.
SDTX Federal Judges Release New Music Video: ‘We’ll Be Back’
A new video featuring Fifth Circuit Judge Jennifer Elrod and U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge singing about the coronavirus’ impact on the federal courts in the Southern District of Texas is spreading across Facebook. The message: Don’t be sad or mad. Your fave judges will be back in their courtrooms soon.
Texas SG Hawkins ‘Under Siege’ from Supreme Court Justices in Affordable Care Act Case
Oral arguments over the Texas-led challenge to the Affordable Care Act appeared to be an uphill battle for Texas Solicitor General Kyle Hawkins Tuesday. Questions about the Texas arguments, even from the conservative end of the bench, appeared to be “bludgeoning him,” in the words of one observer. Texas Lawbook Supreme Court reporter Tony Mauro explains.
Rebeca Huddle Sworn In as Newest Member of Texas Supreme Court
In a live-streamed, fully-masked and socially-distanced ceremony Friday, Rebeca Aizpuru Huddle, a former partner at Baker Botts in Houston, was sworn by Gov. Greg Abbott as the newest justice on the Supreme Court of Texas. Huddle is only the 10th woman to serve as a justice on the court.
Quantum Materials Lawyer Gets Good News from SCOTX During Kansas Trial
Michael Minns was on the last day of a virtual bench trial before a Kansas judge when he found out he prevailed in the Texas Supreme Court against global law firm K&L Gates. Now the Kansas proceeding will prove to be invaluable as the Texas case returns to a Hays County trial court. This article explains the connections.
SCOTX Faces New Questions On Tortfeasor Exemptions From TWC
Less than four months after its controversial “tired trucker” ruling absolved an employer whose employee died after being required to work excessive hours, the Texas Supreme Court is weighing a $43.5 million jury verdict tossed on appeal because of the court’s broadened limits on a worker’s right to sue.
Rebeca Huddle of Baker Botts Named to SCOTX
Gov. Greg Abbott has selected El Paso native Rebeca Huddle to fill the open seat on the Texas Supreme Court left by Justice Paul Green, who retired from the bench at the end of August. Huddle, a former justice on the First Court of Appeals in Houston, was most recently the partner-in-charge of Baker Botts’ Houston office.
Justice Eva Guzman Charts Trailblazing Course Through Texas Judiciary
The journey to the top for Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman has been an unusual one, filled both with obstacles and firsts. As she takes her place this fall as senior justice, Janet Elliott profiles the rise of a woman who embraces her non-traditional path as part of her belief in the law.
Supreme Court Wades into the Muddy Shoals of Pecos River Water Dispute
A dispute between the states of Texas and New Mexico over a claim on evaporated water from the Pecos River was among the first cases heard in the new term of the U.S. Supreme Court. The Lawbook’s Tony Mauro listened in.