Texas Case Commentaries

Enhancing Beneficiary Standing in Trust Litigation: Texas Supreme Court Ruling in Kenneth L. Berry v. Capacity for Flying Bull Ranch

Date: May 14, 2022

Enhancing Beneficiary Standing in Trust Litigation: Texas Supreme Court Ruling in Kenneth L. Berry v. Capacity for Flying Bull Ranch Introduction The case of Kenneth L. Berry, Individually; Kenneth...

Affirmation of 'Fair Summary' Standard for Expert Reports under the Texas Medical Liability Act

Date: May 7, 2022

Affirmation of 'Fair Summary' Standard for Expert Reports under the Texas Medical Liability Act Introduction In the landmark case E.D., a minor, by and through her parents, B.O. and D.D., as next...

Ambiguity in Drainage Covenants and Res Judicata: Analyzing Rosetta Resources Operating v. Martin

Date: May 7, 2022

Ambiguity in Drainage Covenants and Res Judicata: Analyzing Rosetta Resources Operating v. Martin Introduction Rosetta Resources Operating, LP v. Kevin Martin, Jamie Martin, and Ashley Lusk is a...

Enforceability of Comprehensive Settlement Agreements: Broad Releases and Reliance Disclaimers in Corporate Disputes

Date: Apr 30, 2022

Enforceability of Comprehensive Settlement Agreements: Broad Releases and Reliance Disclaimers in Corporate Disputes Introduction The case of Transcor Astra Group S.A., et al., Petitioners, v....

Enforcing Mandatory Arbitration Agreements: Insights from In re Whataburger Restaurants LLC

Date: Apr 23, 2022

Enforcing Mandatory Arbitration Agreements: Insights from In re Whataburger Restaurants LLC Introduction The case of In re Whataburger Restaurants LLC, Relator (645 S.W.3d 188, 2022) presents a...

Hughes Tolling Applies Only to Appeals Involving Malpractice Plaintiff's Participation: Texas Supreme Court Sets New Precedent

Date: Apr 23, 2022

Hughes Tolling Applies Only to Appeals Involving Malpractice Plaintiff's Participation: Texas Supreme Court Sets New Precedent Introduction In the landmark case Youval Zive v. Jeffrey R. Sandberg and...

Duty of Care in Insurance Claims: Elephant Insurance Co. v. Lorraine Kenyon Establishes New Precedent

Date: Apr 23, 2022

Duty of Care in Insurance Claims: Elephant Insurance Co. v. Lorraine Kenyon Establishes New Precedent Introduction In the landmark case of Elephant Insurance Company, LLC v. Lorraine Kenyon, decided...

Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Requirements to Waive Governmental Immunity under 'Save Chick-fil-A' Law

Date: Apr 2, 2022

Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Requirements to Waive Governmental Immunity under 'Save Chick-fil-A' Law Introduction The case of Patrick Von Dohlen et al. v. City of San Antonio (643 S.W.3d 387)...

Open-and-Obvious Doctrine Reinforced Under Chapter 95: SandRidge Energy v. Barfield

Date: Mar 19, 2022

Open-and-Obvious Doctrine Reinforced Under Chapter 95: SandRidge Energy v. Barfield Introduction SandRidge Energy, Inc. v. John Barfield and Tana Barfield is a significant decision by the Supreme...

Enforceability of Arbitration Clauses Upheld Amid Contractual Ambiguity: Texas Supreme Court in Baby Dolls Topless Saloons v. Sotero

Date: Mar 19, 2022

Enforceability of Arbitration Clauses Upheld Amid Contractual Ambiguity: Texas Supreme Court in Baby Dolls Topless Saloons v. Sotero Introduction The case of Baby Dolls Topless Saloons, Inc. et al....

Energen Resources Corp. v. Wallace: Defining Property Owner Liability Under Texas Chapter 95

Date: Mar 12, 2022

Energen Resources Corp. v. Wallace: Defining Property Owner Liability Under Texas Chapter 95 Introduction The Texas Supreme Court case Energen Resources Corporation v. Bryce J. Wallace, Elite...

Oral Rulings Suffice for Preserving Objections in Summary Judgment Proceedings: FieldTurf v. Pleasant Grove ISD

Date: Mar 5, 2022

Oral Rulings Suffice for Preserving Objections in Summary Judgment Proceedings: FieldTurf USA, Inc. v. Pleasant Grove ISD Introduction The case of FieldTurf USA, Inc. and Altech, Inc. v. Pleasant...

Texas Supreme Court Affirms Validity of Private Process Server Service in Guardianship Cases

Date: Mar 5, 2022

Texas Supreme Court Affirms Validity of Private Process Server Service in Guardianship Cases Introduction The case of In the Guardianship of James E. Fairley (650 S.W.3d 372) adjudicated by the...

Clarifying the Employee Exception: Maxim Crane Works v. Zurich American Insurance Company

Date: Mar 5, 2022

Clarifying the Employee Exception: Maxim Crane Works v. Zurich American Insurance Company Introduction The case of Maxim Crane Works, L.P., Appellant, v. Zurich American Insurance Company, Appellee...

Underlying Nature Prevails Over Pleading Labels in Texas Health Care Liability Claims: Lake Jackson Medical Spa v. Gaytan

Date: Feb 26, 2022

Underlying Nature Prevails Over Pleading Labels in Texas Health Care Liability Claims: Lake Jackson Medical Spa v. Gaytan Introduction In the landmark case of Lake Jackson Medical Spa, Ltd., Robert...

Clarifying Official Immunity Standards for Routine Traffic Management under the Texas Tort Claims Act

Date: Feb 19, 2022

Clarifying Official Immunity Standards for Routine Traffic Management under the Texas Tort Claims Act Introduction The case of City of San Antonio v. Armando D. Riojas, adjudicated by the Supreme...

Sovereign Immunity Reinforced under Texas Tort Claims Act: City of San Antonio v. Maspero

Date: Feb 19, 2022

Sovereign Immunity Reinforced under Texas Tort Claims Act: City of San Antonio v. Maspero Introduction The Supreme Court of Texas, in City of San Antonio v. Maspero, provided a pivotal interpretation...

Texas Supreme Court Establishes Refined Northfield Exception for Duty to Defend

Date: Feb 12, 2022

Texas Supreme Court Establishes Refined Northfield Exception for Duty to Defend Introduction The Texas Supreme Court, in Monroe Guaranty Insurance Company v. BITCO General Insurance Corporation...

Defining 'Operator' under TPDES Permits: Texas Supreme Court Establishes Clarifying Precedent

Date: Feb 12, 2022

Defining 'Operator' under TPDES Permits: Texas Supreme Court Establishes Clarifying Precedent Introduction The case TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY and Dos Repúblicas Coal Partnership v....

Affirmation of Parental Rights Termination Based on Sufficient Predicate Grounds under Texas Family Code §161.001(b)

Date: Feb 5, 2022

Affirmation of Parental Rights Termination Based on Sufficient Predicate Grounds under Texas Family Code §161.001(b) Introduction The case of In the Interest of M.P., 639 S.W.3d 700 (Tex. 2022),...