LAST WORD IN VIOXX CASE AND MANY OTHERS
The Supremes on Texas' highest court for civil appeals end the fiscal year with raft of opinions in 19 cases, including a decision construing an attorney fee agreement in a high-dollar case as a matter of law (and disapproving the issue having been sent to the jury), an appeal involving the application of the harmful error rule in the review of summary judgment granted on a ground omitted from the motion, and cases involving issues of governmental immunity, mootness and ripeness.
Among last Friday's most media-attention grabbing decisions are the Supremes' approval of the "pole tax" charged on customers of nude dancing establishments that also serve booze as constitutionally kosher under the First Amendment, and reversal of a multi-million Vioxx judgment for insufficient proof that the ill-fated drug did in fact cause the patient's death.
[NOTE: I intend to update the case-specific info when I find more time. The number of opinions, not to mention concurrences and dissents, is somewhat overwhelming]
MOST RELEVANT NEW TEX. DECISIONS GIVEN THE FOCUS OF THIS BLAWG:
Anglo-Dutch Petro Int. Inc. v. Greenberg Peden, P.C., No. 08-0833
(Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(Opinion by Justice Nathan Hecht)
(contract construction, legal services agreement not ambiguous and as such not a jury issue)
ANGLO-DUTCH PETROLEUM INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND ANGLO-DUTCH (TENGE) L.L.C. v. GREENBERG
PEDEN, P.C. AND GERARD J. SWONKE; from Harris County; 14th district (14-07-00343-CV, 267 SW3d 454,
08-26-08)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the trial court.
Justice Hecht delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Chief Justice Jefferson, Justice Johnson, Justice
Willett, and Justice Guzman joined. [pdf]
Justice Wainwright delivered an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part. [pdf]
Justice Lehrmann delivered a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Medina and Justice Green joined. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs including amicus briefs:ANGLO-DUTCH PETROLEUM INTERNATIONAL, INC. v. GREENBERG PEDEN, P.C.
(Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(Opinion by Justice Nathan Hecht)
(contract construction, legal services agreement not ambiguous and as such not a jury issue)
ANGLO-DUTCH PETROLEUM INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND ANGLO-DUTCH (TENGE) L.L.C. v. GREENBERG
PEDEN, P.C. AND GERARD J. SWONKE; from Harris County; 14th district (14-07-00343-CV, 267 SW3d 454,
08-26-08)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the trial court.
Justice Hecht delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Chief Justice Jefferson, Justice Johnson, Justice
Willett, and Justice Guzman joined. [pdf]
Justice Wainwright delivered an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part. [pdf]
Justice Lehrmann delivered a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Medina and Justice Green joined. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs including amicus briefs:ANGLO-DUTCH PETROLEUM INTERNATIONAL, INC. v. GREENBERG PEDEN, P.C.
The Houston Exploration Co v. Wellington Underwriting Agencies, Ltd.,
No. 08-0890 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(Opinion by Justice Nathan Hecht)
(coverage, insurance contract construction, effect of strike-through)
THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION CO. AND OFFSHORE SPECIALTY FABRICATORS, INC. v. WELLINGTON
UNDERWRITING AGENCIES, LTD., ET AL.; from Harris County; 14th district (14-07-00970-CV, 267 SW3d
277, 07-17-08) 2 petitions
The Court affirms the court of appeals' judgment.
Justice Hecht delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Justice Wainwright, Justice Medina, Justice Green,
and Justice Guzman joined, and in Parts I and III of which Justice Johnson joined. [pdf]
Justice Johnson delivered a concurring opinion. [pdf]
Chief Justice Jefferson delivered a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Willett and Justice Lehrmann joined.
[pdf]
Link to e-briefs including amicus briefs:OFFSHORE SPECIALTY FABRICATORS, INC. v. WELLINGTON UNDERWRITING AGENCIES, LTD.
No. 10-0145 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(per curiam opinion)
(grant of more relief than requested, finality and partial summary judgment, harmful error analysis,
exception to rule that ground must be stated in the summary judgment motion)
(grant of more relief than requested, finality and partial summary judgment, harmful error analysis,
exception to rule that ground must be stated in the summary judgment motion)
G & H TOWING COMPANY, ET AL. v. CORY WAYNE MAGEE, ET AL.; from Harris County; 1st district (01-07-
00572-CV, 312 SW3d 807, 11-30-09)
Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 59.1, after granting the petition for review and without
hearing oral argument, the Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to that
court.
Per Curiam Opinion [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: G & H TOWING CO. v. MAGEE
00572-CV, 312 SW3d 807, 11-30-09)
Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 59.1, after granting the petition for review and without
hearing oral argument, the Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to that
court.
Per Curiam Opinion [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: G & H TOWING CO. v. MAGEE
No. 10-0283 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(Opinion by Justice Debra Lehrmann)
(Is the defendant the prevailing party for attorney fee purposes when the plaintiff nonsuits? - It depends)
CHRISTOPHER N. EPPS AND LAURA L. EPPS v. BRUCE FOWLER, JR. AND STEPHANIE L. FOWLER; from
Williamson County; 3rd district (03-08-00055-CV, ___ SW3d ___, 02-10-10)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the trial court.
Justice Lehrmann delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Chief Justice Jefferson, Justice Wainwright,
Justice Green, Justice Willett, and Justice Guzman joined. [pdf]
Justice Hecht delivered a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Medina and Justice Johnson joined. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: EPPS v. FOWLER
CHRISTOPHER N. EPPS AND LAURA L. EPPS v. BRUCE FOWLER, JR. AND STEPHANIE L. FOWLER; from
Williamson County; 3rd district (03-08-00055-CV, ___ SW3d ___, 02-10-10)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the trial court.
Justice Lehrmann delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Chief Justice Jefferson, Justice Wainwright,
Justice Green, Justice Willett, and Justice Guzman joined. [pdf]
Justice Hecht delivered a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Medina and Justice Johnson joined. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: EPPS v. FOWLER
No. 07-0945 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011) (Opinion by Justice Johnson)
(sovereign immunity issue, takings claim, opportunity to replead and assert ultra vires claim)
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT v. THE SAWYER TRUST; from Donley County; 7th district (07-
06-00487-CV, ___ SW3d ___, 08-22-07)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the trial court.
Justice Johnson delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Chief Justice Jefferson, Justice Wainwright,
Justice Medina, Justice Green, Justice Willett, Justice Guzman, and Justice Lehrmann joined. [pdf]
Chief Justice Jefferson delivered a concurring opinion, in which Justice Medina, Justice Willett, and Justice
Guzman joined. [pdf]
Justice Hecht delivered an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part.
Link to e-briefs: TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT v. THE SAWYER TRUST
City of Dallas v. Albert, No. 07-0284 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(Opinion by Justice Phil Johnson)
(multiple governmental immunity and waiver-of-immunity issues)
CITY OF DALLAS v. KENNETH E. ALBERT, ET AL.; from Collin County; 5th district (05-03-01297-CV, 05-03-
01298-CV, 214 SW3d 631, 12-21-06) 2 petitions
motion to strike response to notice regarding counsel denied; motion to strike notice of appearance denied;
motion to consider cause denied
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the trial court.
Justice Phil Johnson delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Justice Wainwright, Justice Medina, Justice
Green, Justice Guzman, and Justice Lehrmann joined, and in which Chief Justice Jefferson and Justice Hecht
joined except to Part II-B. [pdf]
Justice Hecht delivered an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part, in which Chief Justice Jefferson
joined. [pdf]
Justice Willett delivered a dissenting opinion. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: CITY OF DALLAS v. ALBERT
Robinson v. Parker [Houston Mayor],
No. 08-0658 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(Opinion by Justice Paul Green)
(ripeness doctrine)(jurisdictional dismissal)
CARROLL G. ROBINSON, BRUCE R. HOTZE, AND JEFFREY N. DAILY v. ANNISE D. PARKER, MAYOR;
CITY OF HOUSTON; HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL, ET AL.; from Harris County; 14th district (14-06-00167-CV,
260 SW3d 463, 04-03-08)
The Court vacates the judgments of the court of appeals and the trial court and dismisses the case for want
of jurisdiction.
Justice Green delivered the opinion of the Court. [pdf]
(Justice Guzman not sitting)
Link to e-briefs: ROBINSON v. BILL WHITE, MAYOR (one amicus brief)
OTHER CASES DECIDED BY THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT AUGUST 26, 2011
Texas Mutual Ins. Co. v. Ruttiger,
No. 08-0751 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(Opinion by Justice Phil Johnson)
(Worker's Compensation Act)
TEXAS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY v. TIMOTHY J. RUTTIGER; from Galveston County; 1st district (01-
06-00897-CV, 265 SW3d 651, 07-31-08)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment, renders judgment in part, and remands the case to that
court.
Justice Johnson delivered the opinion of the Court with respect to Parts I, II, III, IV, and VI, in which Justice
Hecht, Justice Wainwright, Justice Medina, Justice Willett and Justice Guzman joined, and an opinion with
respect to Part V, in which Justice Hecht, Justice Wainwright, and Justice Medina joined. [pdf]
Justice Willett delivered a concurring opinion, in which Justice Guzman joined. [pdf]
Chief Justice Jefferson delivered a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Green and Justice Lehrmann joined.
[pdf]
Link to e-briefs incl. amicus briefs and responses s: TEXAS MUTUAL INS. CO. v. RUTTIGER
Merck & Co., Inc. v. Garza,
No. 09-0073 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(Opinion by Justice Nathan Hecht)
(Vioxx judgment thrown out, causation proof found wanting)
MERCK & CO., INC. v. FELICIA GARZA, ET AL.; from Starr County; 4th district (04-07-00234-CV, 277 SW3d
430, 12-10-08)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and renders judgment.
Justice Hecht delivered the opinion of the Court. [pdf]
(Justice Willett and Justice Guzman not sitting)
Link to e-briefs: MERCK & CO., INC. v. GARZA
No. 10-0524 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(per curiam opinion)
(slip and fall as med-mal claim)
ST. DAVID'S HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIP, L.P., LLP D/B/A ST. DAVID'S HOSPITAL AND ST. DAVID'S
COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION v. GENARO ESPARZA, JR.; from Travis County; 3rd district (03-09-
00734-CV, 315 SW3d 601, 05-13-10)
Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 59.1, after granting the petition for review and without
hearing oral argument, the Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the trial
court.
Per Curiam Opinion [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: ST. DAVID'S HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIP, L.P. v. ESPARZA
No. 09-0306 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(Opinion by Justice Hecht)
(oil and gas law - restrictive covenant to prevent drilling on land developed for residential use)
BETTY YVON LESLEY, ET AL. v. VETERANS LAND BOARD OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, ET AL.; from Erath
County; 11th district (11-07-00034-CV, 281 SW3d 602, 01-22-09)
The Court affirms in part and reverses in part the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the
trial court.
Justice Hecht delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Justice Wainwright, Justice Medina, Justice Green,
Justice Johnson, Justice Willett, Justice Guzman, and Justice Lehrmann joined. [pdf]
(Chief Justice Jefferson not sitting)
Link to e-briefs: LESLEY v. VETERANS LAND BOARD OF THE STATE OF TEXAS (VLB) (amicus briefs)
Ins. Co. of the State of Pennsylvania v. Muro, No. 09-0340 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)
(Opinion by Justice David Medina) (workers compensation benefits taken away)
INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA v. CARMEN MURO; from Dallas County; 5th
district (05-07-00279-CV, 285 SW3d 524, 03-12-09)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and renders judgment.
Justice Medina delivered the opinion of the Court. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs including amicus briefs: INS. CO. OF THE STATE OF PA v. MURO
Combs v. Texas Entertainment Ass'n, Inc., No. 09-0481 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(Opinion by Justice Nathan
Hecht)($5 per customer nude dancing "pole tax" at strip joints serving alcohol not unconstitutional under First Amendment)
BETTY YVON LESLEY, ET AL. v. VETERANS LAND BOARD OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, ET AL.; from Erath
County; 11th district (11-07-00034-CV, 281 SW3d 602, 01-22-09)
The Court affirms in part and reverses in part the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the
trial court.
Justice Hecht delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Justice Wainwright, Justice Medina, Justice Green,
Justice Johnson, Justice Willett, Justice Guzman, and Justice Lehrmann joined. [pdf]
(Chief Justice Jefferson not sitting)
Link to e-briefs: LESLEY v. VETERANS LAND BOARD OF THE STATE OF TEXAS (VLB) (amicus briefs)
Ins. Co. of the State of Pennsylvania v. Muro, No. 09-0340 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)
(Opinion by Justice David Medina) (workers compensation benefits taken away)
INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA v. CARMEN MURO; from Dallas County; 5th
district (05-07-00279-CV, 285 SW3d 524, 03-12-09)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and renders judgment.
Justice Medina delivered the opinion of the Court. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs including amicus briefs: INS. CO. OF THE STATE OF PA v. MURO
Combs v. Texas Entertainment Ass'n, Inc., No. 09-0481 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(Opinion by Justice Nathan
Hecht)($5 per customer nude dancing "pole tax" at strip joints serving alcohol not unconstitutional under First Amendment)
SUSAN COMBS, COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND GREG
ABBOTT, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF TEXAS v. TEXAS ENTERTAINMENT ASSOCIATION,
INC. AND KARPOD, INC.; from Travis County; 3rd district (03-08-00213-CV, 287 SW3d 852, 06-05-09)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the trial court. [pdf]
Justice Hecht delivered the opinion of the Court.
Link to e-briefs: COMBS v. TEXAS ENTERTAINMENT ASSOC., INC. (2 amicus briefs)
Texas Rice Land Partners, Ltd. v. Denbury Green Pipeline-Texas, LLC, No. 09-0901 (Tex. Aug. 26,
2011)(Opinion by Justice Don R. Willett)(oil and gas law, no private condemnation power)
TEXAS RICE LAND PARTNERS, LTD. AND MIKE LATTA v. DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE-TEXAS, LLC; from
Jefferson County; 9th district (09-09-00002-CV, 296 SW3d 877, 09-24-09)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the trial court.
Justice Willett delivered the opinion of the Court. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: TEXAS RICE LAND PARTNERS, LTD. v. DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE-TEXAS LLC (including
briefs by several amici)
INC. AND KARPOD, INC.; from Travis County; 3rd district (03-08-00213-CV, 287 SW3d 852, 06-05-09)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the trial court. [pdf]
Justice Hecht delivered the opinion of the Court.
Link to e-briefs: COMBS v. TEXAS ENTERTAINMENT ASSOC., INC. (2 amicus briefs)
Texas Rice Land Partners, Ltd. v. Denbury Green Pipeline-Texas, LLC, No. 09-0901 (Tex. Aug. 26,
2011)(Opinion by Justice Don R. Willett)(oil and gas law, no private condemnation power)
TEXAS RICE LAND PARTNERS, LTD. AND MIKE LATTA v. DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE-TEXAS, LLC; from
Jefferson County; 9th district (09-09-00002-CV, 296 SW3d 877, 09-24-09)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to the trial court.
Justice Willett delivered the opinion of the Court. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: TEXAS RICE LAND PARTNERS, LTD. v. DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE-TEXAS LLC (including
briefs by several amici)
Texas A&M University - Kingsville v. Yarbrough,
No. 09-0999 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011) (Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson)
(professor's grievance dispute with state university over negative evaluation moot after grant of tenure; exceptions to mootness doctrine rejected)
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - KINGSVILLE v. MELODY YARBROUGH; from Kleberg County; 13th district (13-
07-00744-CV, 298 SW3d 366, 09-24-09)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and renders judgment.
Chief Justice Jefferson delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Justice Medina, Justice Green, Justice
Guzman, and Justice Lehrmann joined. [pdf]
Justice Willett delivered a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Hecht, Justice Wainwright, and Justice Johnson
joined. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - KINGSVILLE v. YARBROUGH
FPL Farming Ltd. v. Environmental Processing Systems, L.C., 07-00744-CV, 298 SW3d 366, 09-24-09)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and renders judgment.
Chief Justice Jefferson delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Justice Medina, Justice Green, Justice
Guzman, and Justice Lehrmann joined. [pdf]
Justice Willett delivered a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Hecht, Justice Wainwright, and Justice Johnson
joined. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - KINGSVILLE v. YARBROUGH
No. 09-1010 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)
(Opinion by Justice Dale Wainwright)(liability re: waste water injection well)
FPL FARMING LTD. v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSING SYSTEMS, L.C.; from Liberty County; 9th district
(09-08-00083-CV, 305 SW3d 739, 10-29-09)
The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to that court.
Justice Wainwright delivered the opinion of the Court. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: FPL FARMING LTD. v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSING SYSTEMS, L.C.
In Re State of Texas, No. 10-0235 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(Chief Jefferson)
(severance order set aside as prejudicial by mandamus)
IN RE STATE OF TEXAS; from Travis County; 3rd district (03-10-00121-CV, ___ SW3d ___, 03-31-10)
The Court conditionally grants the writ of mandamus.
Chief Justice Jefferson delivered the opinion of the Court. [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: (including multiple amicus briefs): IN RE STATE OF TEXAS
Barth v. Bank of America, N.A., No. 10-0659 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011)(per curiam opinion)
(misnomer distinguished from misidentification of party in law suit)
JERRY L. BARTH v. BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.; from Hidalgo County; 13th district (13-08-00612 CV, ___
SW3d ___, 05-06-10)
Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 59.1, after granting the petition for review and without
hearing oral argument, the Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to that
court.
Per Curiam Opinion [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: BARTH v. BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Austin State Hospital v. Graham, No. 10-0674 (Tex. Aug. 26, 2011) (per curiam opinion) JERRY L. BARTH v. BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.; from Hidalgo County; 13th district (13-08-00612 CV, ___
SW3d ___, 05-06-10)
Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 59.1, after granting the petition for review and without
hearing oral argument, the Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to that
court.
Per Curiam Opinion [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: BARTH v. BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
(governmental employee's interlocutory appeal of order denying motion to dismiss)
AUSTIN STATE HOSPITAL, DR. VIKAR NUZHATH AND DR. ERIK LINDFORS v. JOEL GRAHAM; from Dallas
County; 5th district (05-09-01312-CV, 319 SW3d 905, 08-04-10)
Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 59.1, after granting the petition for review and without
hearing oral argument, the Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and remands the case to that
court.
Per Curiam Opinion [pdf]
Link to e-briefs: AUSTIN STATE HOSP. v. GRAHAM
No comments:
Post a Comment