David Yates News
Texas AG praises 5th Circuit ruling on SB 4
AUSTIN – On Sept. 25, Attorney General Ken Paxton praised a unanimous 3-to-0 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that allows Texas to enforce the core provisions of Senate Bill 4 while the state appeals a lower court ruling that blocked the law banning sanctuary cities from taking effect Sept. 1.
Federal Circuit finds Gilstrap abused discretion by refusing to transfer patent suit
EAST TEXAS – On Sept. 21, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit found that Judge Rodney Gilstrap, Eastern District of Texas, abused his discretion by refusing to transfer a patent lawsuit.
Texas AG snags $9.5M judgment halting synthetic drug sales at Houston smoke shop
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that his office obtained a permanent injunction stopping Good Timez Boutique & Smoke Shop, its owners and landlord from selling highly-addictive and dangerous synthetic marijuana to consumers in Houston.
Toxic tort litigator Jeffrey Simon calls 'Unsettled' asbestos documentary ‘poorly produced’ following screening
DALLAS – Perhaps unsurprisingly, a couple of Texas’ most well-known toxic tort litigators had a few choice words after watching the unveiling of "Unsettled," a documentary offering a glimpse “Inside the Strange World of Asbestos Lawsuits.”
JC Judge refuses to dissolve TROs against nursing homes that allegedly failed to evacuate elderly during Harvey
BEAUMONT – A district judge in Jefferson County has refused to dissolve temporary restraining orders obtained against two nursing homes, which allegedly failed to evacuate their elderly residents as the remnants of Hurricane Harvey flooded Southeast Texas.
Ferguson Law seeks to keep TROs against nursing homes that allegedly failed to evacuate elderly during Harvey
BEAUMONT – A hearing was held today on whether to dissolve a pair of temporary restraining orders against two nursing homes, which allegedly failed to evacuate their elderly residents as the remnants of Hurricane Harvey flooded Southeast Texas.
BISD employee wants black woman’s discrimination claim dismissed
BEAUMONT – In July, a purchasing agent whose criminal trial made headlines last year sued her former employer, the Beaumont Independent School District, for discrimination.
Barge inspector thrown from gangway awarded $1.1M, JC jury also found plaintiff 70 percent negligent
BEAUMONT – A Jefferson County jurors recently awarded a $1.1 million verdict to Michael Stelly, who claims he stepped onto a gangway that gave way and nearly tossed him into the water after finishing his barge inspection.
Reaud Morgan & Quinn looking into litigation against Jefferson County Drainage District 7
BEAUMONT – On Sept. 14, hundreds of people attended a meeting organized by Reaud Morgan & Quinn attorneys. The area law firm fielded questions in regards to a potential lawsuit against Jefferson County Drainage District 7.
ICT estimates Hurricane Harvey insured losses at $19B
AUSTIN - The Insurance Council of Texas has placed the insured losses from Hurricane Harvey at $19 billion.
Justices affirm ExxonMobil’s summary judgment win in discrimination lawsuit
HOUSTON – A lower court was right in its decision to grant summary judgment to ExxonMobil in an age discrimination lawsuit brought by a former employee, a Texas appellate court recently opined.
Oprah Winfrey sued for $100M, man alleges TV star breached contract by not promoting his book
HOUSTON – Famed talk show host Oprah Winfrey has been hit with a $100 million breach of contract suit.
Texas AG applauds Supreme Court rulings on redistricting
AUSTIN – On Sept. 12, Attorney General Ken Paxton released a statement after the U.S. Supreme Court, in separate rulings, blocked two lower court rulings that invalidated parts of Texas' House and congressional maps.
Woman sues T&T World Nail Supply after bottle of polish breaks in hand
BEAUMONT – Just about everyone has seen a film where a female actress complains about breaking a nail while escaping danger, but how many people can claim they’ve seen someone have a bottle of “dangerous” nail polish break and splinter into their hand while on the job?
Texas AG Paxton nails 3 companies with Harvey price gouging lawsuits
AUSTIN – On Sept. 13, Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits against three Texas businesses, accusing them of unlawful price gouging while consumers were in need of fuel, shelter and other essentials as a result of Hurricane Harvey.
Justices reject appeal in Deepwater Horizon ID theft suit, Cracken Law keeps summary judgment win
HOUSTON – Last year, a lawsuit seeking an award of $100 million in exemplary damages was filed against Texas attorneys John Cracken and Bob Hilliard for allegedly using case runners to steal the identities of Vietnamese-Americans damaged by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
AG Paxton files suit against ‘reputation management’ company
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton recently filed a petition with the Harris County District Court alleging that Solvera, an online reputation management company, violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by abusing the legal system to deceive Harris County district court judges with its defamation lawsuits.
Ferguson Law anticipates suit over ‘wrongful death’ of Kirbyville High School principal
BEAUMONT – In June, The Ferguson Law Firm obtained a temporary restraining order to preserve evidence surrounding the May 23 death of Dennis Reeves, the Kirbyville High School principal.
Fifth Circuit rejects Philip Klein appeal in litigation against Layne Walker
BEAUMONT – Area blogger Philip Klein recently had an appeal shot down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in his litigation brought against former district judge Layne Walker.
Hail suits storm Texas courts in August, litigation slips past new insurance law
HOUSTON - More than one type of storm hit Texas in August, as two law firms have combined to flood courts with more than 200 weather-related lawsuits in an apparent rush to beat the state’s newest tort reform measure.