Litigation, Sovereign Immunity, TTCA

County immune from suit brought by late Judge’s widow asserting her husband was exposed to asbestos in the Jefferson County courthouse and subsequently died.

Jefferson County, Texas v. Ellarene Farris, et al., 01-17-00493-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.], August 31, 2018). This is an interlocutory appeal in a wrongful death case where the 14th Court of Appeals reversed the denial of Jefferson County’s plea to
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Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Elections, Injunction, Litigation, Mandamus

City obtained mandamus to remove TRO preventing display of budget meeting which addressed fiscal impact of pending charter election

  In re Sylvester Turner, Mayor and Dave Martin, Houston City Council Member 14-18-00649-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.], Aug. 23, 2018) This is an original mandamus where the 14th District Court of Appeals in Houston reversed a trial judge’s order
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Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Injunction, Litigation, Procedure

Texas judge’s successfully reverse injunction in federal court regarding system for setting bail for indigent misdemeanors

ODonnell v. Harris County, et al.,  No. 18-20466 (5th  Cir. Aug. 14, 2018). Plaintiffs brought a class action against Harris County and numerous officials, including judges and hearing officers under §1983 asserting the system for setting bail for indigent misdemeanor arrests violates
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Litigation, Official/Qualified Immunity, Sovereign Immunity, TTCA

City employee returning to work from lunch deemed not to be in course and scope of employment says 14th Court of Appeals

  Martin Molina v. City of Pasadena, 14-17-00524-CV (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.], August 21, 2018). This is a vehicle accident/Texas Tort Claims Act (“TTCA”) case where the 14th District Court of Appeals affirmed the granting of the City’s plea to
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Litigation, Official/Qualified Immunity, Sovereign Immunity, TTCA

Police officer’s need to reach site of 911 call justified actions of entering intersection in course and manner – immunity therefore preserved

  Jason Roche v. City of Austin, 03-17-00727-CV (Tex. App. – Austin, August 21, 2018). This is a vehicle accident/Texas Tort Claims Act (“TTCA”) case were the Austin Court of Appeals affirmed the granting of a dismissal order. Police Officer Nguyen was
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Litigation, Official/Qualified Immunity, Sovereign Immunity, TTCA

In defamation suit 1st District Court of Appeals holds employees responding to city council questions in open meeting were acting within course and scope of employment for § 101.106(f) purposes

Elias v Griffith, et al, 01-17-00333-CV, 2018 WL 3233587 (Tex. App. – Houston [1st  Dist.], July 3, 2018.) This is a defamation case brought against individual city officials for acts performed within their course and scope of employment.  The First District Court
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Attorney Fees, Contracts, Litigation

Plaintiff ordered to pay attorney fees after non-suiting claims against individual governmental officials under Texas Citizens’ Participation Act

Shillinglaw v. Baylor Univ., 05-17-00498-CV, 2018 WL 3062451, at *1 (Tex. App.—Dallas June 21, 2018, no pet. h.) (mem. op). This is a Texas Citizens’ Participation Act ( “TCPA) case where the individual governmental officials were awarded fees and costs after the
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Agency, Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Health and Safety, Injunction, Litigation, Procedure

City ordinance allowed to make additional criteria for dangerous animal determination says Amarillo Court of Appeals

Shannon Nicole Washer, et al. v. City of Borger, 07-16-00413-CV (Tex. App. – Amarillo, July 31, 2018). In this case the Amarillo Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of the Plaintiffs’ claims challenging the constitutionality of an animal control ordinance and a
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