David Yates News
AG Paxton: Court ruling preserves Texas’ voter ID law
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton applauded a Sept. 5 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that preserves Texas’ voter ID law.
First Harvey suit sneaks by new insurance law, seeks up to $1M in damages and 18 percent interest
DALLAS – Even while Hurricane Harvey continued to dump records amount of rain on Houstonians, Texas trial lawyers publicly preached doomsday for insureds was rapidly approaching – warning victims to file their claims before a new law went into effect.
Trial lawyers clash with storm bill supporters over Harvey insurance claims
HOUSTON – Not long after Hurricane Harvey crashed upon Texas shores, trial lawyers began publicly urging victims to file insurance claims before Sept. 1 – the date a new law aimed at ending weather-related lawsuit abuse goes into effect.
Jefferson County appealing lower court’s ‘failure’ to dismiss sergeant’s whistleblower suit
BEAUMONT – In late September, the Ninth Court of Appeals will hear oral argument on whether a district judge erred by not dismissing a whistleblower suit brought against Jefferson County by one of its sergeants.
Paxton vows to defend cConstitutionality of SB 4
AUSTIN – On Aug. 30, Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed to continue fighting for Senate Bill 4 after a U.S. District Court judge ruled that the law is unconstitutional and that San Antonio is the proper venue for multiple lawsuits challenging the law.
Deion Sanders’ $2.2M defamation verdict against Pilar axed by Texas appellate court
DALLAS – The heated divorce of Deion and Pilar Sanders made headlines in 2013, as accusations of cheating and child abuse surfaced in the media.
Mistrial declared in Mostyn Law $1M hail suit against USAA
HIDALGO COUNTY – A mistrial has been declared in a Mostyn Law hail lawsuit against USAA Texas Lloyd’s.
Tort reform groups say storm bill hasn’t changed insurance claims process
HOUSTON – With the remnants of Hurricane Harvey still impacting the city of Houston, Texas tort reform groups have issued statements assuring victims that a passed bill aimed at enduring storm lawsuit abuse hasn’t changed the insurance claim process.
Insurance Council of Texas: Harvey could cause record damages and flooding
HOUSTON - Hurricane Harvey’s forecasted slow march through south Texas could result in record rainfall and insured losses. Harvey is expected to make landfall near Corpus Christi, which hasn’t seen a hurricane in 47 years.
Attorney who sued Starbucks after spilling hot coffee on her lap dismisses suit
HOUSTON - A Houston attorney has dismissed her lawsuit against Starbucks for burns she allegedly received after spilling “boiling” coffee on her lap.
AG Paxton: Texas will appeal voter ID ruling
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton promised to appeal an Aug. 24 federal court decision granting a permanent injunction against Texas’ voter ID law (Senate Bill 14).
Christian Smith & Jewel sued for unethical representation of 2 sides
HOUSTON – A marketing company is accusing Christian Smith & Jewell, a Houston law firm, of unethically representing both it and its majority shareholder in a breach of contract suit.
Beaumont businessman accused of fraud after failing to deliver ‘smart home’
HOUSTON – A Beaumont businessman is being accused of breaching his contract for failing to complete work on a “smart home,” even though he was paid thousands of dollars in advance.
Judge sanctions Voss Law for handling of hail suit, finds firm ‘hijacked’ litigation for own benefit
DEL RIO – From producing fraudulent documents to “hijacking the litigation process for its own benefit,” a federal judge has found the Voss Law Firm “engaged in intentional litigation misconduct” by bringing a hail lawsuit on behalf of clients that never actually signed a contingency fee agreement.
Asbestos supervisor sues Motiva after fire erupts, Brent Coon handling case
BEAUMONT – An asbestos supervisor is suing Motiva Enterprises for injuries he suffered after a fire erupted.
14 Provost Umphrey attorneys selected to 2018 Best Lawyers in America
BEAUMONT – Best Lawyers in America has recognized 14 trial lawyers from Beaumont-based Provost Umphrey Law Firm in its 2018 edition for a successful year representing plaintiffs in their respective legal practices.
Trial of Mostyn Law suit against State Farm pushed back again, continuance due to Rene Sigman’s departure
HOUSTON – A foundation lawsuit brought against State Farm Lloyds has been continued once again, primarily because the attorneys who were handling case for Mostyn Law left the firm last month.
Texas AG reacts to court’s redistricting ruling
AUSTIN – Although an Aug. 15 decision upheld the vast majority of Texas congressional district map, Attorney General Ken Paxton expressed his disappointment with a portion of a federal court decision on maps that the district court itself adopted in 2012 and have been in effect for the last three election cycles.
Baron & Budd file fresh round of suits against pharmaceutical distributors
DALLAS – On Aug. 14, the national law firm of Baron & Budd announced that they have filed lawsuits against the nation’s largest pharmaceutical distributors for their role in the widespread diversion of prescription opiates for nonmedical purposes.
TLRPAC endorses Tijerina for 13th Court of Appeals
AUSTIN – On Aug. 15, Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC endorsed Judge Jaime E. Tijerina of Mission in his campaign for the 13th Court of Appeals.