Jackson Walker, The Pettit Law Firm Pick Up Former Texas Appellate Justices
Alumni of the Texas appellate courts in Dallas and Houston are on the move.
Fifth Circuit: ‘I’d Be Embarrassed to Take the Position You’re Taking in This Case’
A Fifth Circuit panel including Judge Jerry Smith unleashed scathing comments toward a party that appealed an $18 million arbitration award. Then the panel ruled the same day. This is the story.
Threats of Grievance Action Against Opposing Counsel During Trial Can Violate Disciplinary Rules
An appeals court in Houston has ruled a lawyer who threatens to file a grievance against opposing counsel during a trial in order to get an advantage in the litigation is committing an ethics violation.
Fifth Circuit Considers Constitutionality of Native American Adoption Law
A three-judge Fifth Circuit panel on Wednesday considered whether to reverse the ruling by a Fort Worth judge that struck down a decades-old law designed to protect the interests of Native American children in custody proceedings. The arguments had deep roots in the nation's uneven relationship with its native forebears. Natalie Posgate reviews the issues.
Growing Feud Between Fifth Circuit Judges and Houston Trial Judges Shocks Legal Experts
Twice in two weeks, a Republican-appointed Fifth Circuit appellate judge directly dressed down a Houston trial court judge in opinion. But this time, the trial judge is fighting back. U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison and Judge Jerry Smith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit have gotten into a nasty public feud that Texas legal experts describe as astonishing. The Lawbook has complete details.
Trump Nominates Justice Brown, Brantley Starr for Federal Judgeships
No president in U.S. history is having as much impact on the federal courts in Texas as President Trump. On Friday, President Trump nominated Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown and Texas Deputy First Assistant Attorney General Brantley Starr to the district court bench. The Texas Lawbook has details.
SCOTX Walks Back Hyder
Saying a lower court misconstrued its 2015 decision in Chesapeake Exploration v. Hyder, the Texas Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the deductibility of production costs from energy company royalties is a matter commanded by contractual language. Janet Elliott, who has followed the controversy, explains.
Two Former Texas Appellate Justices Announce Next Moves
Former Houston Court of Appeals Justice Bill Boyce has joined an appellate law boutique and ex-Dallas Court of Appeals Justice Jason Boatright has signed as a partner at a Fort Worth law firm.
SCOTX: Written Contracts Can Protect Corporations’ Fraudulent Conduct
The Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday that a written contract between Mercedes-Benz and a South Texas car dealer exempts the automaker from being held financially responsible for the economic losses it caused by its false oral promises and misleading comments - conduct a jury described as criminal.
SCOTX May Look for New Evidence to Rewrite Your Contract
The Texas Supreme Court has recently been shooting holes in the basic principle that any evidence forming the basis of a decision must have been admitted in a trial court – particularly in contract disputes. Chrysta Castañeda of The Castañeda Firm explains the potential impact on cases going forward.