Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury
Does Fifth Circuit federal jurisdiction extend to other galaxies? The "God of the Earth Realm" says it does and alleges that U.S. and Louisiana officials are illegally holding the “Atakapa Indian de Creole Nation” in an eternal state of “pupilage.” This is an actual case.
VirnetX Holding’s decade-long patent infringement battle against Apple appears to be closer to a finality. The federal appeals court tossed out two of four patent violations and sent the case back to the Eastern District of Texas to recalculate damages. The Texas Lawbook explains the long and winding road.
Frank Garrettson Evans, III, retired chief justice of the First Court of Appeals in Houston, Texas died Saturday at his home in Bastrop, Texas. He was 91. Often called the “father of alternative dispute resolution,” Chief Justice Evans is indelibly recorded in history as a pioneer and implementer in the field.
Fort Bend County did not reasonably accommodate an employee’s religious observation when she attended church on a Sunday instead of going to work, a Houston federal jury ruled on Friday.
A new award named after legendary U.S. Supreme Court reporter Tony Mauro recognizing lawyers who zealously advocate for freedom of the press and a more open government goes to an Austin litigation partner who represents numerous news media outlets.
Justice Laura Carter Higley has submitted her resignation to Gov. Greg Abbott, the clerk for the First Court of Appeals confirmed Tuesday. Higley has served on the Houston appellate court since 2002. Her resignation comes days after reports that she was sitting on the bench while diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
A bankruptcy judge who brought an ethics complaint against McAllen lawyer Mark Cantu should not have been excluded from testifying in the resulting disciplinary trial, SCOTX has ruled in a per curiam decision. Janet Elliott explains why it was even a question.
Texas Supreme Court oral arguments Thursday in the dispute over judicial sanctions against Dallas trial lawyer Bill Brewer featured lawyers on all sides making factual allegations, highly engaged justices actively interrupting and pushing back and one attorney threatening to quit the legal profession if the court ruled in favor of Brewer. One of the lawyers went so far as to argue that Texas law gives the justices no choice but to uphold the sanctions against Brewer. The Texas Lawbook has full details.
On Tuesday morning, lawyers for Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners and Houston-based Enterprise Products Partners will square off before the Texas Supreme Court to argue over reinstatement of a $535 million jury verdict. At the heart of their battle, however, is not just money; it's a case that could determine the nature of business relationships in Texas. Lawbook litigation writer Natalie Posgate outlines the history of the dispute, the legal arguments for both sides and what's at stake for Texas businesses.
As the opening of the U.S. Supreme Court term nears, Texas is still a big player at One First Street. Legendary SCOTUS journalist Tony Mauro touched base with a cadre of Texas lawyers who specialize in U.S. Supreme Court work about the cases they are watching in a term that is shaping up to be “a potential blockbuster.”
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