David Yates News
Texas AG Office does an about face, approves Harris County’s JUUL litigation contingent contract
HOUSTON – After first saying no, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has now green-lighted Harris County’s litigation against JUUL.
Texas House committee hears tort reform measures, including bill to stop abuse of public nuisance
AUSTIN – A number of tort reform measures were heard yesterday by Texas House members, including bills on public nuisance, loser pays and paid or incurred.
Exxon on climate change litigation: Non-residents using lawfare to suppress Texas speech subject to Texas jurisdiction
AUSTIN – The parties accused of orchestrating climate change “lawfare” against the energy sector are feigning shock that their attempts to chill speech and commandeer public policy could be subjected to personal jurisdiction in Texas courts, ExxonMobil argues in a recently filed brief.
ABA urges appeals court to rule rigid bail system in Dallas County is unconstitutional
HOUSTON — The American Bar Association filed an amicus brief Monday, contending that the bail system in Dallas County, Texas, which allows pretrial release only if the defendant pays a specific amount of bail money, violates the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the 14th Amendment.
Driver’s license needed to operate golf carts on public streets, Texas AG opines
AUSTIN – Bad news for families that love to get around on golf carts. Attorney General Ken Paxton has opined that the Transportation Code prohibits operation of motor vehicles on public streets without a driver’s license.
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee sues JUUL, alleges e-cigarette company targeting teens with deceptive marketing
HOUSTON — Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee filed a lawsuit Thursday in California state court against e-cigarette company JUUL and several of its executives.
$1M suit alleges man was shot 5 times at hotel
HOUSTON – A Louisiana man is alleging he was shot five times at a hotel.
‘Uneven surface’ leads to $200K trip & fall lawsuit against Wortham Center
HOUSTON – A local woman is suing the Wortham Center claiming she tripped on an “uneven surface” at the popular theater.
Latest suit against Deshaun Watson alleges QB wanted ‘deeper’ buttock massage
HOUSTON – It’s a Monday, which means a new lawsuit accusing Deshaun Watson of sexual harassment has been filed.
JC commissioners want busts of Walter Umphrey and Wayne Reaud in front of courthouse
BEAUMONT – Over the years, iconic attorneys Walter Umphrey and Wayne Reaud have contributed greatly to the Jefferson County courthouse – somewhat literally, as the two men and their law firms have been stuffing heaps of cash into the coffers of the judges who preside over their cases for decades now.
Case management plan entered in $1M suit alleging ‘camouflaged’ item on Target shelf injured woman
HOUSTON – A case management plan was recently entered in a lawsuit brought by a woman alleging that a “colorful object” protruding from a Target store shelf injured her because it was “camouflaged” by other colorful items.
Texas AG files suit defending states against costs of illegal immigration
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton has led a 14-state coalition before the U.S. Supreme Court in defense of the “public-charge” rule, a federal law prohibiting immigration by aliens who are likely to rely on taxpayer-funded government programs.
Texas AG commends Fifth Circuit for upholding TDCJ’s COVID-19 safety measures
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton has commended the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit for ruling in favor of the COVID-19 protective measures implemented by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Food truck vendors argue South Padre Island appointed restaurants as gatekeepers to keep them out
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – On appeal, food truck vendors wanting to set up shop in South Padre Island are arguing the city’s efforts to keep them out are unconstitutional.
After death under guardianship, Tuskegee Airman’s uniforms found on a San Antonio street
SAN ANTONIO - When Thomas Kelly, 59, drove by his parent’s home on Enid Street near Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, he didn’t expect to see two of his father’s military uniforms flapping in the wind on the front lawn.
Putting an end to ‘juiced up’ medical bills in civil suits – SB 207 heard by Texas Senate committee
AUSTIN – Senate Bill 207 will help put an end to “enterprising” trial lawyers who collude with “unscrupulous” medical providers to inflate medical bills in hopes of greater jury awards, says the bill’s author.
City of Houston not liable after firetruck drags car for 30 feet, appellate court finds
HOUSTON – Today, the First Court of Appeals concluded the city of Houston has immunity from a lawsuit alleging a firetruck dragged another vehicle for 30 feet.
Abusive commercial vehicle litigation in Texas is bleeding small business, video states
AUSTIN—The Keep Texas Trucking Coalition has released its latest video, highlighting the devastating impact abusive lawsuits have on Texas small businesses.
Ninth Court affirms take-nothing judgment in auto collision suit
BEAUMONT – The Ninth Court of Appeals today affirmed a take-nothing judgment in an automobile collision lawsuit out of Montgomery County.
False Claims Act suit brought against Art Institute of Houston, others
HOUSTON - Art Institute of Houston have knowingly been requesting and receiving millions in financial aid funds for students who never enrolled, a recently filed petition alleges.