Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Injunction, Litigation, Mandamus, Procedure

Corpus Christi Court of Appeals held that a plaintiff does not have standing to bring suit, or merit a temporary injunction, where the plaintiff has not alleged an injury distinct from the public at large.

Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs Concerned Citizens of Palm Valley, Inc. v. City of Palm Valley, 13-20-00006-CV (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi, August 13, 2020) (mem.op.). In this taxpayer suit, the plaintiffs allege that the City is spending money
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Declaratory Judgments, Injunction, Litigation, Procedure, Sovereign Immunity, Structural Standards, Takings

Beaumont Court of Appeals holds pro se Plaintiff did not establish entitlement to injunctive relief to prevent demolition of building

Rema Charles Wolf v. City of Port Arthur, 09-19-00047-CV, (Tex. App – Beaumont, Aug. 6, 2020) This is an interlocutory appeal from the denial of a temporary injunction request by a pro se property owner. Pro se Plaintiff Wolf sued the City
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Discrimination, Employment Law, Litigation, Procedure, Retaliation

Corpus Christi Court of Appeals held plaintiff can circumvent TWC for retaliation claim so long as underlying claim is based on TWC complaint

Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs Donna Indep Sch. Dist.. v. Cynthia Castilla, 13-19-00395-CV (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi, August 13, 2020) (mem.op.). In this employment discrimination and retaliation case, the plaintiff brought some claims that occurred outside of the
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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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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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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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