David Yates News
Auto collision suit settles before trial
BEAUMONT – An automobile collision suit called up for trial settled before a jury could be selected, according to a Jefferson County courthouse official.
Slated for trial: Dram shop suit brought over death of Nederland teen Kristen Paris
BEAUMONT - A dram shop suit brought on behalf of Kristen Paris, the Nederland teen who was killed by a drunk driver three years ago, has been set for trial in September.
On appeal: Harbor Hospice summary judgment win
BEAUMONT - A Jefferson County investor is appealing a summary judgment ruling against him in a piece of complex litigation that originally alleged his financial interest in dozens of companies had been fraudulently managed.
Woman sues American Airlines after slipping while disembarking, says airline should have assisted her
BEAUMONT – A Cedar Hill woman has brought a lawsuit against American Airlines, alleging the airline failed to assist her while disembarking and prevent her slip and fall two years ago.
Abated: firefighter’s suit against city of Beaumont
BEAUMONT – A district judge recently granted a motion to abate a lawsuit brought by a firefighter who was indefinitely suspended by the city of Beaumont.
Blackard drops suits challenging Paxton prosecutors’ fees, says Collin County Commissioners Court stepping up
COLLIN COUNTY – On July 25, taxpayer Jeff Blackard declared victory in his years-long challenge to the excessive fees the Collin County Commissioners Court has been paying to three Houston attorneys to prosecute Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Texas Senate passes bill to tighten state spending limit
AUSTIN – On July 26, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 9 by Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) to tighten the state spending cap formula and keep future budgets in check.
Texas AG joins West Virginia, 3 other states, in Supreme Court brief to over 2nd Amendment rights
AUSTIN – On July 25, Attorney General Ken Paxton joined West Virginia’s amicus brief in Robinson v. United States along with Indiana, Michigan and Utah in the U.S. Supreme Court to protect against unjustified frisk searches occurring on the suspicion that a citizen is armed.
Appellate battle erupts over Russell Budd’s sealed deposition on asbestos memo
AUSTIN – A Texas appellate court will soon consider whether to reverse a district judge’s ruling that her court did not have jurisdiction to unseal testimony given by renowned plaintiff’s attorney Russell Budd on the “Terrell memo.”
Rene Sigman leaves Mostyn Law, joins Merlin Law Group
HOUSTON – Once Mostyn Law’s head of litigation, Rene Sigman has left the firm and joined the Merlin Law Group, a firm specializing in insurance litigation.
Federal judge finds TC Heartland argument ‘unpersuasive,’ wants patent suit on East Texas docket
TYLER – The U.S. District Court for Eastern Texas, a favorite venue for patent litigation, will hold on to at least one more patent lawsuit for the time being, as a federal judge recently found a defendant’s TC Heartland argument “unpersuasive.”
Texas JP suspended after sexting in courtroom, using bailiff to buy drugs
HOUSTON – The Texas Supreme Court recently suspended a Harris County justice of the peace following accusations that she sexted while in the courtroom and used her bailiff of buy drugs.
Jeffrey Crook joins Winstead’s Intellectual Property Practice Group
DALLAS — Jeff Crook, a registered patent attorney, has joined Winstead's Intellectual Property Practice Group as Of Counsel in the Dallas office.
Texas AG obtains $25M in illegal debt colleting suit, Houston attorney was a defendant
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently obtained a final judgment and permanent injunction against Samara Portfolio Management and the Law Office of Joseph Onwuteaka for violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices—Consumer Protection Act, Texas Debt Collection Act and the Identity Theft Protection and Enforcement Act.
Eminent domain fight between Denbury Green Pipeline and rice farmers now before Texas SC
BEAUMONT – After suffering a recent defeat, Denbury Green Pipeline Texas has taken its eminent domain case against Texas Rice Land Partners to the highest court in the Lone Star State.
Asbestos suit brought by man who worked at Texaco in 1947
BEAUMONT – A lawsuit alleging asbestos exposure has been brought by a man who worked at a Texaco facility in the 1940s.
NFIB Texas applauds efforts to end government union partnership
AUSTIN – The National Federation of Independent Business/Texas, the state’s leading small business association, applauds efforts of Texas lawmakers to end the practice of the state and local government collecting dues from public employees on behalf of national labor unions.
Product liability litigator joins McGuireWoods
DALLAS - John Henderson, a leading litigator in matters involving complex scientific issues, has joined McGuireWoods’ Product and Consumer Litigation Department as a partner in Dallas, where he will advise clients across industries in high-stakes product liability and mass tort litigation, according to a firm press release.
Naked hot tub goer gets violent after woman tells him no, $1M suit alleges
BEAUMONT – A hot tub party got heated after a Port Neches woman repeatedly spurned a naked man’s physical sexual advances, according to a recent lawsuit.
Beaumont ISD Fund answers fired teacher’s suit
BEAUMONT — Beaumont ISD, Self-Insured TASB Risk Management Fund has answered a suit brought by a former teacher, Ashli Feacher.