Contracts, Employment Law, Litigation, Procedure

Austin Court of Appeals held that a plaintiff has to allege recoverable damages to waive governmental immunity for breach of contract under Chapter 271 of the Local Government Code.

Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs Robert Lee Fitzsimmons, Jr. v. Killeen Indep. Sch. Dist., 03-19-00535-CV (Tex. App.—Austin, August 14, 2020). In this governmental immunity case, the Austin Court of Appeals dismissed the case against the School District
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Contracts, Sovereign Immunity, TTCA

Waco Court of Appeals held that a contract for a Water District to provide water services to a customer is not a contract that waives governmental immunity under Chapter 271 of the Local Government Code.

Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs Mclennan County Water Control and Improvement Dist. v. Matthew and Rachel Geer, et. al, 10-17-00399-CV (Tex. App.—Waco, July 22, 2020). In this governmental immunity case, the Waco Court of Appeals dismissed the
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Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Injunction, Litigation, Sovereign Immunity

Fourth Court of Appeals holds no jurisdiction exists for ex-councilmember to sue after office was declared forfeit for charter violations – quo warranto is exclusive remedy

City of Leon Valley v Martinez, 04-19-00879-CV (Tex. App. — San Antonio, August 19, 2020) This is a suit by an ousted city council member to recover his position. The San Antonino Court of Appeals held the exclusive remedy in this situation
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Discrimination, Employment Law, Litigation, Procedure, Retaliation

Houston First Court of Appeals holds that a School’s participation in discovery does not waive its governmental immunity.

Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs Democratic Schools Research, Inc. d/b/a The Brazos School for Inquiry and Creativity v. Tiffany Rock, 01-19-00512-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.], Aug. 4, 2020). In this employment discrimination case, the Houston First Court
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Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Health and Safety, Sec. 1983, Sovereign Immunity, Takings

Waco Court of Appeals holds an allegation of overzealous code enforcement actions is inadequate to establish a substantive due process violation when regulations are enforceable.

Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs House of Praise Ministries, Inc. v. City of Red Oak, Texas, 10-19-00195-CV (Tex. App.—Waco, Aug. 6, 2020). In this substantive due process case, the Waco Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court’s
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Attorney Fees, Constitutional Challenge, Employment Law, Litigation, Sec. 1983

Attorney fees awards in favor of a defendant are not an abuse of discretion where the plaintiff does not make a prima facie case of his claims.

Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs Carl Frederick Rickert, III v. Kayla S. Meade and City of Bonham, 06-02-00002-CV (Tex. App.—Texarkana, July 30) (mem. op.). In this § 1983 case on an attorney fees award, the Court of
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Litigation, Sovereign Immunity, TTCA

Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, injury to self by suicide is a foreseeable injury under the motor-vehicle waiver of immunity when officer did not properly fasten a seatbelt of a detainee 

Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs City of Austin  v. Sayeed Anam, et al., 03-19-00294-CV (Tex. App.—Austin, July 30, 2020) (mem. op.). In this Texas Tort Claims Act, the Court of Appeals upheld the trial court’s denial of
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Agency, Declaratory Judgments, Litigation, Procedure, Sovereign Immunity

14th Court of Appeals holds waiver of immunity in TCEQ SOAH hearing need not be by express statutory language

Hyde v Harrison County, 14-18-00628-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.], July 30, 2020) Harrison County (the “County”) owns and operates underground storage tanks at its road and bridge department and at its airport. A Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (the “Commission”)
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