David Yates News
Wellbeing Genomics prevails in DNA test trade secret trial
AUSTIN – A Texas jury recently found in favor of plaintiff Wellbeing Genomics Pty in a trade secret lawsuit.
Texas AG sends transgender guidance letter to schools, ACLU responds
AUSTIN – On Aug. 25, Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a guidance letter to educational institutions in Texas regarding the nationwide injunction issued by a federal court that blocked enforcement of the federal guidance letter on transgender restrooms. Paxton’s letter explains that, in light of the injunction, no educational institution in Texas needs to change its policies regarding intimate facilities to comply with the unenforceable federal guidelines.
Fraud referral results in arrest and restitution in hail damage lawsuit
DALLAS - An insurance fraud referral filed by the international litigation firm Zelle LLP on behalf of its insurance company client, Strata Underwriting Managers, has resulted in the felony criminal prosecution of a building owner for insurance fraud and payment of restitution to the insurance company.
State Farm suspects Voss Law Firm of bringing storm suit without plaintiff’s knowledge, Voss attorney denies charge
HOUSTON – It’s not often that a defendant in a civil suit fights a plaintiff’s motion to dismiss, but that’s exactly the case in a storm suit against State Farm – a lawsuit that the insurer suspects may have been brought on the plaintiff’s behalf without her knowledge.
TWIA board votes not to raise rates, questions raised
AUSTIN - On Aug. 2 the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Board of Directors voted not to raise windstorm rates for either residential or commercial policyholders along the Texas coast. The Insurance Council of Texas believes the board’s decision does not protect the financial security of TWIA for its policyholders.
Assault suit against Dixie Dance Hall set to be dismissed for want of prosecution
A notice of intent to dismiss for want of prosecution has been filed in a suit brought over an alleged physical assault that transpired at the Dixie Dance Hall.
Baby Olivia trial: Texas med-mal cap cuts $10M verdict to $750K
BEAUMONT – Last week, a Jefferson County jury awarded the mother of Baby Olivia millions of dollars for her mental anguish and past and future loss of companionship.
Federal judge blocks Obama transgender student bathroom directive
AUSTIN - A federal judge has blocked the Obama administration's bathroom guidelines for transgender students.
Watts acquitted, Texas attorney was accused of stealing victims’ identities in Deepwater Horizon claims
MISSISSIPPI – On Aug. 18 a federal jury unanimously acquitted Texas attorney Mikal Watts and his two co-defendants on all counts in a criminal case that accused them of falsifying claims against BP following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Provost Umphrey to represent victims of Sunoco logistics fire
BEAUMONT – The Provost Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont has been retained to represent two victims of the Aug. 12 flash fire at the Sunoco Logistics crude oil terminal in Nederland.
Mostyn was racing another vehicle in his Ferrari when he caused wreck, amended petition claims
HOUSTON – Mega attorney Steve Mostyn was racing another vehicle in his Ferrari when he caused a wreck, claims a newly amended petition in the lawsuit against him.
Sunoco Pipeline, Carber Holdings sued for $10M after welder’s face set ‘ablaze’
HOUSTON – The Buzbee Law firm recently brought a $10 million lawsuit on behalf of a welder who claims his face was set “ablaze” while working at a crude oil terminal in Nederland.
Barratry case against Speights & Worrich re-filed, expert says some lawyers turning a blind eye to hail-suit feeding frenzy
DALLAS – In May, the Record reported on a barratry class action alleging Texas hail lawyers, public adjusters and roofers are currently involved in an “elaborate web of fraud” to “line their pockets” by taking advantage of storm victims. Plaintiff Juan Guerra, who originally filed his petition of intervention in an already ongoing RICO lawsuit, specifically named the Texas law firm Speights & Worrich, which claims to specialize in insurance disputes.
Mizuno USA seeks summary judgment in contract suit against Games People Play
BEAUMONT – A company with an office in Austin has moved for summary judgment in a breach of contract suit against an area company.
Goodrich, Dow Chemical and Axiall hit with benzene lawsuit
BEAUMONT – Three major companies have been hit with a wrongful death lawsuit alleging benzene exposure.
Underinsured motorist trial against Texas Farmers ends with $150K verdict
BEAUMONT – A four-year old lawsuit against an insurance company was recently tried, ending with jurors awarding $150,000 in total damages.
Sons of district judges seek to succeed fathers, receive financial backing from JC trial lawyers
BEAUMONT – Funded by some of the most influential trial lawyers in Southeast Texas, the progeny of one current and one former district judge will seek to fill their respective father’s seats on the bench this election cycle.
Judge shuts down three more Mostyn hail suits, fines for contempt handed down in two of the cases
McALLEN – State Farm continued its winning streak against Steve Mostyn on Friday, as a federal judge granted the insurer summary judgment in three more of the Houston lawyer’s hail cases, two of which had fines for contempt issued against local counsel for the plaintiffs.
Plaintiff takes special exception to Brock Services answer in injury suit
BEAUMONT — A Jefferson County man has filed special exceptions to an answer in his lawsuit against a wastewater treatment operator, which alleges insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries.
Reaud Morgan & Quinn sued for legal malpractice
BEAUMONT – The area law firm Reaud Morgan & Quinn has been sued for legal malpractice, hit with a lawsuit accusing RMQ and one of its attorneys of negligently failing to file a claim.