David Yates News
Refusal to unseal Russell Budd’s deposition on asbestos memo a ‘travesty,’ lawyer says
AUSTIN – A district judge’s refusal to unseal testimony given by renowned plaintiff’s attorney Russell Budd on the “Terrell memo” was a “travesty,” says the lawyer who filed the motion to unseal.
Texas AG leads coalition in SCTOUS amicus brief against abusive patent suits
AUSTIN – Leading a coalition of 17 states, Attorney General Ken Paxton on Feb. 6 filed an amicus brief in the U.S.
‘Clock Boy’ lawsuit against Ben Shapiro dismissed, commentator awarded attorney’s fees
DALLAS – A lawsuit against conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has been dismissed – a complaint brought by the father of Ahmed Mohamed, the Muslim teen who became known as “clock boy” after being arrested for bringing a homemade timepiece to school in a pencil case.
Ergon Asphalt seeks to remove Corpus Christi water contamination class action
CORPUS CHRISTI – The company blamed for contaminating the city of Corpus Christi’s water supply is seeking to remove a class action brought against it out of the county where the incident transpired.
Mostyn Law losses appeal, justices shut down League City Ike suit
HOUSTON – On Jan. 31, the First Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court’s ruling leaving the city of League City empty handed in its Hurricane Ike suit against the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
New suits against NCAA seek compensation for college football players who suffered concussions
FORT WORTH - New lawsuits filed against the National College Athletic Association and helmet maker Riddell, Inc., seek to compensate thousands of former high school and college athletes for brain damage sustained while playing football.
Judge refuses to unseal Russell Budd deposition, testimony linked to Baron & Budd asbestos memo
AUSTIN – A documentary filmmaker seeking to obtain the deposition of one of Texas’ most well-known plaintiff’s attorneys was shut down by a district judge Tuesday, as the court refused to unseal testimony linked to an asbestos memo that has been the subject of much controversy for the past two decades.
Baylor football wins ‘at the expense of women,’ suit alleges
WACO – Baylor University has been named in a federal complaint alleging two of its football players were involved in a “brutal gang rape.” Contending the university allowed a “cultural of sexual violence” to be created, plaintiff Elizabeth Doe filed suit against Baylor on Jan. 27 in the U.S.
New business licenses issued in Jefferson County
Jan. 20 - 26 License #:22057 Assumed Name:BENARD LOCK SERVICE Address:1220 ASHLEY ST,BEAUMONT,TX77701 Owner Name:BENOIT DONALD R License #:2115 Assumed Name:VERONICA PRUITT LMSW Address:
Insurer granted partial summary judgment in Mostyn $1M hail suit
DALLAS – A Texas state judge recently granted an insurance company partial summary judgment in a hail lawsuit brought by the Mostyn Law Firm in Houston.
TLR announces legislative proposal targeting ‘storm-chasing lawyers’
AUSTIN - Storm chasing is the new ambulance chasing, according to Texans for Lawsuit Reform, an advocacy group that recently announced its 2017 legislative proposal aimed at ending hailstorm litigation abuse.
Best Lawyers names Chip Ferguson ‘Lawyer of the Year’
BEAUMONT – Attorney Paul ‘Chip’ Ferguson has been named “Lawyer of the Year” in Plaintiffs’ Product Liability Law by Best Lawyers.
Judge tosses Voss Law hail suit, considers sanctioning firm for keeping clients ‘in the dark’ for own ‘benefit’
DEL RIO – A federal judge has ordered The Voss Law Firm in Houston to show cause on why its attorneys “should not be held in contempt, fined, imprisoned” and “reported to the State Bar of Texas” for seemingly keeping a pair of hailstorm clients “in the dark” for their own “benefit.” On Jan. 20, U.S.
Barge inspector seeks new trial in suit over ‘inadequate lighting’ trip & fall
BEAUMONT – A barge inspector is seeking a new trial of his suit, which sought punitive damages from a maritime company for injuries he received after tripping and falling because of an alleged lack of “inadequate lighting.” Charlie Ducote filed suit against Enterprise Products Partners on July 22, 2015 in Jefferson County District Court.
Tort reform group launches hailstorm lawsuit abuse website
AUSTIN – With the state lawmakers back in action, Texans for Lawsuit Reform has launched a new webpage dedicated to highlighting what the group calls the worst lawsuit abuse in Texas today –hailstorm litigation.
SCOTUS declines to hear Texas voter ID case
Washington, D.C. – On Jan. 31 the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will not hear arguments at this time over Texas’s photo ID law, which the full Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down as racially discriminatory last summer.
Motion seeks to expose deposition linked to Baron & Budd asbestos memo
AUSTIN – Next Tuesday, a Texas district judge will hold a hearing on whether to unseal testimony that could unearth a list of asbestos cases connected with the arguably infamous “Terrell memo,” the widely reported on “cheat sheet” revealing how Baron & Budd clients were coached up before depositions.
Judge Sanderson knocks out first trial, car wreck plaintiff lands $18K verdict
BEAUMONT – New District Judge Justin Sanderson, 60th Court, recently wrapped up
his first trial, with a Southeast Texas jury awarding a car wreck plaintiff $18,227.42 in damages.
Former judge Dupuy prohibited from practicing law in Texas
GALVESTON – In Lieu of disciplinary action, the Texas Supreme Court has accepted a motion for resignation from a former Galveston County judge who has been mired in legal troubles the past several years.
Texas AG joins 14-state coalition seeking repeal of expansion of Endangered Species Act
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joined a coalition of 14 states in sending a letter to the incoming Trump Administration urging it to immediately repeal two new rules that broadly expand the definition of critical habitat for endangered species promulgated by the U.S.