HOUSTON – Not even a full two months after being sued for legal malpractice, attorney Chris Bell had all claims against him dismissed.
Seeking more than $200,000 in damages, Richard “Rick” Gonzales filed suit against Bell, a former congressman, on May 19 in Harris County District Court.
Gonzales accused Bell of allegedly failing to warn him that there could be possible consequences to bringing a defamation lawsuit.
Court records show that an order of non-suit was entered in the case on July 7. Gonzales had filed a notice of non-suit six days earlier.
Court records also show that Bell filed a Rule 91A motion to dismiss on June 22, asserting that while Gonzales’ disappointment with losing is understandable, it forms no basis for a lawsuit whatsoever, as Bell had indeed explained to him the challenges he would be facing as a public figure.
In 2016, Gonzales, a former Houston police officer and failed Republican candidate for Harris County constable, approached Bell about handling a defamation case. During his campaign, supporters of Gonzales’ opponent had published statements about him that he believed to be false.
According to the motion to dismiss, Bell explained to Gonzales that because of the Texas Citizen Participation Act, defamation cases had become very difficult to win.
As soon as the suit was filed, the defendants filed an anti-SLAPP motion. The case went all the way up to the Texas Supreme Court, where justices ordered Gonzales to pay $33,000 in legal fees.
“It saddened me that Mr. Gonzales chose to file suit,” Bell told The Record. “He knew he was fully informed regarding the law and how challenging his case would be. But knowing that, he still wanted to clear his name and we worked hard to accomplish that.”
Bell’s attorney, Sanford Dow, says that while his client is pleased the case is behind him, “the meritless lawsuit should have never been filed at all.”
“It was therefore not surprising that Mr. Gonzales voluntarily dropped his lawsuit before the court could dismiss his claims, given that his assertions had no basis in law or fact,” Dow said.
In his suit, Gonzales had accused Bell of negligently failing to protect his interests. He was suing Bell for economic, exemplary and treble damages.
Houston attorneys Chris Carmona and Rogelio Garcia represented him.
Dow is an attorney with the Houston law firm of Dow Golub Remels & Gilbreath.
Case No. 2020-30096