Caetano v. Massachusetts 14-10078 (U.S. March 21, 2016) The United States Supreme Court declared that “stun guns” are protected “arms” under the Second Amendment. Jaime Caetano became in fear for her life after ending a relationship with an abusive boyfriend. For her
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Slade v. City of Marshall No. 15-40517 (5th Cir., February 10, 2016) This is a §1983 wrongful death case where the 5th Circuit affirmed the dismissal of the Slade constitutional claims by the trial court. When City officers were dispatched to a
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Stem v. Gomez No. 15-50264 (5th Cir. February 8, 2016) This is an appeal from a dismissal for failure to state a claim where the United States 5th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed in part and affirmed in part a constitutional claim
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The City of Friendswood and Kevin Holland v. Paul and Carolyn Horn, et al., 01-15-00436-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.], February 11, 2016). This is essentially an inverse condemnation case where the First Court of Appeals reversed the denial of a
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Serafine v. Branaman No. 14-51151 (5th Cir. January 12, 2016). This is a First Amendment/Professional Speech case where the U.S. 5th Circuit invalidated as unconstitutional part of the Texas statute regulating psychologists. Mary Serafine ran for a Texas Senate seat and described
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James v. Boise 15-493 (U.S. January 25, 2016). This is a case involving attorney’s fees for suits under 42. U.S.C. §1983 (constitutional violations mainly). Essentially, the U.S. Supreme Court held the test for determining a “prevailing party” is dictated by federal, not
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Campbell-Ewald v. Gomez, 14-857 (January 20, 2016) The United States Supreme Court issued this opinion on derivative sovereign immunity for contractors. The United States Navy contracted with Campbell-Ewald Company (“Campbell”) to develop a multimedia recruiting campaign that included the sending of text
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Vicki Ward v. Lamar University, Texas State University System and James Simmons 14-14-00097-CV (Tex. App. Houston [14th Dist.], January 12, 2016) This is a Texas Whistleblower case. The panel previously issued an opinion (summary found here), but after a motion for rehearing,
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City of Carrollton, Texas v. Milan Hamrla, Petra Chudejova, Michael and Laura Brewer, Dalia Chavarria, Diane and Gene Hines, and Keith Effert, 02-15-00119-CV (Tex. App. – Fort Worth, January 7, 2016). This is an interlocutory appeal from the denial of a plea
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Dr. James Jones v. Angelo State University, 03-14-00112-CV (Tex. App. – Austin, December 18, 2015). This is a religious discrimination/failure-to-accommodate in employment dispute where the Austin Court of Appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part the granting of the summary judgment
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