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Recent Opinions and Vote Breakdowns New Requests for Full Merits Briefing New Petitions Filed With the Court Cases Broken Down by Court of Appeals Community-Driven List of Pending Issues Top Amicus Curiae Groups and Cases Cases Mentioned in News Stories and Blogs

Recent Texas Supreme Court Opinions

Showing all opinions

Limit these results just to split opinions
These are the most recent opinions from the Court. Subscribers can access older opinions, as well as voting statistics and how individual pairs of Justices agree or disagree in divided cases.

Opinions from May 18, 2012

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, HONORABLE MIKE GEESLIN, COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE AND HONORABLE DANNY SAENZ, SENIOR ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER v. AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY AND AMERICAN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF TEXAS, No. 10-0374.
insurance, statutory construction, agency deference, reinsurance, stop-loss insurance
Medina
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Green
Johnson
Willett
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court

National Trade Group Defends Texas Appellate Ruling On Reinsurance Business Law Daily (September 18, 2011)
Argument preview: Appellate attorney fees, drivers license revocation hearings SCOTXblog (September 14, 2011)
IN THE MATTER OF M.P.A., No. 10-0859.
juvenile justice, actual innocence
Guzman
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Johnson
Willett
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court
IN RE BILLY FREDERICK ALLEN, No. 10-0886.
wrongful imprisonment
Wainwright
Jefferson
Hecht
Medina
Green
Johnson
Willett
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court

Ex-inmate struggles to cash in on compensation law AP (March 17, 2012)

Opinions from May 11, 2012

VENKATESWARLU THOTA, M.D. AND NORTH TEXAS CARDIOLOGY CENTER v. MARGARET YOUNG, INDIVIDUALLY, AND AS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM R. YOUNG, No. 09-0079.
Green
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Medina
Johnson
Willett
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court

SCOTX grants review of a divorce case about liability for a spouse’s debts [May 11, 2012] SCOTXblog (May 11, 2012)
Supreme Court of Texas Again Addresses the Reach of Casteel Error Texas Appellate Watch (May 11, 2012)
Texas Supreme Court announces its fall lineup Tex Parte (July 22, 2011)
Two opinions, one grant [Mar. 18, 2011] SCOTXblog (March 18, 2011)

Opinions from April 27, 2012

IN RE REBECCA RAMIREZ PALOMO, No. 12-0208.
elections, candidate eligibility
Percuriam
Per Curiam

Opinion issued in the Palomo elections case; no new petitions granted [Apr. 27, 2012] SCOTXblog (April 27, 2012)
An order restoring a judicial candidate to the ballot SCOTXblog (April 10, 2012)
Texas Supreme Court Orders Palomo's Name Back on Ballot Pro8News (March 29, 2012)
Court analyzes rejected candidate nomination Laredo Sun (March 16, 2012)

Opinions from April 20, 2012

BISON BUILDING MATERIALS, LTD. v. LLOYD K. ALDRIDGE, No. 06-1084.
arbitration, Hall Street
Wainwright
Jefferson
Green
Johnson
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court 		Hecht
Medina
Willett

Dissenting

How many opinions are left in the pipeline? No opinions today [Sep. 2, 2011] SCOTXblog (September 2, 2011)
After Hall Street, does the Texas arbitration act let the parties agree to judicial review? SCOTXblog (October 8, 2009)
Hall Street and Bison Building Materials SCOTXblog (March 26, 2008)
SAFESHRED, INC. v. LOUIS MARTINEZ, III, No. 10-0426.
exemplary damages, Sabine Pilot, employment law
Lehrmann
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Johnson
Willett
Guzman

Opinion of the Court

Texas Supreme Court announces its fall lineup Tex Parte (July 22, 2011)
Can a worker who was fired for refusing to do an illegal act recover exemplary damages? [Mar. 11, 2011] SCOTXblog (March 11, 2011)
COMMISSION FOR LAWYER DISCIPLINE v. HEATHER SCHAEFER, No. 10-0609.
Percuriam
Per Curiam

Takings by pipelines for private use (still not permitted); Petition about shareholder oppression gets a second chance [Mar. 2, 2012] SCOTXblog (March 2, 2012)
ASHFORD PARTNERS, LTD. v. ECO RESOURCES, INC., No. 10-0615.
attorneys fees, construction contract, landlord-tenant, build-to-suit construction
Medina
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Green
Johnson
Willett
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court

Motions to reset oral argument – No opinions today [Feb. 3, 2012] SCOTXblog (February 3, 2012)
No year-end orders SCOTXblog (December 30, 2011)
THE MANSIONS IN THE FOREST, L.P., AND THE ESTATES-WOODLAND, L.P. v. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS, No. 10-0969.
Percuriam
Per Curiam
DR. ERWIN CRUZ v. ANDREWS RESTORATION, INC. D/B/A PROTECH SERVICES AND RUDY MARTINEZ v. CHUBB LLOYDS INSURANCE COMPANY OF TEXAS, No. 10-0995.
DTPA, rescission, remedy of restoration
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Johnson
Willett
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court
MARIA ESTER SALINAS v. NORBERTO SALINAS, No. 11-0131.
Percuriam
Per Curiam

Opinions from March 30, 2012

CAROL SEVERANCE v. JERRY PATTERSON, COMMISSIONER OF THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE; GREG ABBOTT, ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS; AND KURT SISTRUNK, DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR THE COUNTY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, No. 09-0387.
Open Beaches Act
Wainwright
Hecht
Green
Johnson
Willett

Opinion of the Court 		Willett
Concurring 		Medina
Guzman
Lehrmann

Dissenting 		Guzman
Dissenting 		Lehrmann
Medina

Dissenting
Not Sitting

A Hectic Week on the Takings Front Environmental Law Prof Blog (April 6, 2012)
Beach ruling is not in public interest Austin American-Statesman (April 3, 2012)
Ruling favors landowners over Texas Open Beaches Act Brownsville Herald (April 2, 2012)
High court upholds private property over public beach access Austin American-Statesman (March 30, 2012)
Appeals court upholds beach act challenge Houston Chronicle (September 28, 2011)
Texas Supreme Court abates Severance v. Patterson Land Use Prof Blog (August 4, 2011)
Texas Supreme Court abates its consideration of Severance v. Patterson pending 5th Circuit determination on mootness Texas Lawyer (July 29, 2011)
SCOTX asks the Fifth Circuit to move first in resolving the mootness of the Texas open-beaches case [Jul. 29, 2011] SCOTXblog (July 29, 2011)
Mulvaney guest-blog on Severance's latest development: Mootness? Land Use Prof Blog (July 6, 2011)
Open beaches case may be moot Burka Blog (June 27, 2011)
Open beaches debate back at TX Supreme Court KXAN (April 21, 2011)
Falkenberg: Another reason to celebrate? Houston Chronicle (April 13, 2011)
Private Beaches, "Rolling" Easements - Texas Supreme Court To Rehear Severance InverseCondemnation.com (March 11, 2011)
Supreme Court of Texas grants rehearing to reconsider whether state officials can seize private property that suddenly moves onto public beaches because of erosion from hurricanes or storms How Appealing (March 11, 2011)
Supreme Court to rehear open beaches case Austin American-Statesman (March 11, 2011)
Rehearing granted in the Open Beaches Act case; five other decisions and one new grant [Mar. 11, 2011] SCOTXblog (March 11, 2011)
What Babe said about Texas Open Beaches Act Galveston County Daily News (February 13, 2011)
Blais: Legal tide shifts against Texans Austin American-Statesman (December 15, 2010)
State calls off big Galveston beach project Houston Chronicle (November 16, 2010)
High court beach opinion is flawed San Antonio Express-News (November 13, 2010)
Texas SC: Storms may change public beach lines, but easement must be proven Southeast Texas Record (November 11, 2010)
A House On The Beach, Literally Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog (November 8, 2010)
Important Texas Supreme Court Opinion Protecting Beachfront Property Rights Volokh Conspiracy (November 7, 2010)
Public easements do not always “roll” with the beachfront; grandparent visitation order overturned [Nov. 5, 2010] SCOTXblog (November 5, 2010)
TX Supreme Court Decides Open Beaches Act Case Texas Tribune (November 5, 2010)
Decision on Open Beaches Act / Rolling Easement case (Severance v. Patterson) Land Use Prof Blog (November 5, 2010)
On the docket: Texas Open Beaches Act; mold coverage; pleading a taking SCOTXblog (November 19, 2009)
Battle for the Beach: Property Rights and the Open Beaches Act Land Use Prof Blog (November 19, 2009)
State high court weighing beach easement law Houston Chronicle (November 19, 2009)
Beaches case heads to state high court Galveston County Daily News (November 15, 2009)
Proposition 9: Groups want open beaches act not set in sand but in the constitution Corpus Christi Caller Times (October 17, 2009)
Private interests hungry to seize Texas public beaches Fort Worth Star-Telegram (October 1, 2009)
Texas Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Open Beaches Act in November Examiner.com (August 8, 2009)
The battle for the beach rolls onto the beach at the Texas Supreme Court Tex Parte (May 15, 2009)
Order List for May 15, 2009 SCOTXblog (May 15, 2009)
Certified Question About Texas Open Beaches Act SCOTXblog (April 24, 2009)
An Odd Sort of Ad Hominem Criticism in an Appellate Dissent Volokh Conspiracy (April 24, 2009)
Dissenting Fifth Circuit judge accuses Pacific Legal Foundation of tilting at windmills How Appealing (April 24, 2009)
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY v. STEPHEN JOSEPH CARUANA, No. 10-0321.
Administrative Law, drivers license suspension, police report
Hecht
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Johnson
Willett
Guzman

Opinion of the Court 		Jefferson
Lehrmann

Concurring

Argument preview: Appellate attorney fees, drivers license revocation hearings SCOTXblog (September 14, 2011)
Court to hear DPS appeal in Hays drunken driving case Austin American-Statesman (February 8, 2011)
FORD MOTOR COMPANY v. RICHARD H. GARCIA, No. 10-0953.
attorneys fees, guardian ad litem
Johnson
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Willett
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court
JUANA LORENA ARVIZU, INDIVIDUALLY AND A/N/F JONATHAN RENE ARVIZU, MONTGOMERY COUNTY AUTO AUCTION AND EDWARD CANTU v. THE ESTATE OF GEORGE PUCKETT D/B/A PUCKETT AUTO SALES, No. 11-0023.
Percuriam
Per Curiam

Opinions from March 9, 2012

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORP. AS RECEIVER FOR GUARANTY BANK v. CHRISTA C. LENK, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN ALBERT THOMPSON, No. 08-0908.
Guzman
Jefferson
Wainwright
Medina
Johnson
Willett
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court 		Hecht
Green

Dissenting
IN RE FRANK KENT MOTOR COMPANY D/B/A FRANK KENT CADILLAC, No. 10-0687.
Lehrmann
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Johnson
Willett
Guzman

Opinion of the Court

Four decisions, two grants [May 27, 2011] SCOTXblog (May 27, 2011)
JACK EDWARD MILNER v. VICKI ANN MILNER, No. 10-0776.
Medina
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court 		Johnson
Green
Willett

Dissenting

Texas Supreme Court Rules on Enforceability of Mediated Settlement Agreement Disputing (March 19, 2012)
Texas Supreme Court announces its fall lineup Tex Parte (July 22, 2011)
NICHOLAS TRAXLER v. ENTERGY GULF STATES, INC., No. 10-0970.
Willett
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Johnson
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court

Opinions from March 2, 2012

TEXAS RICE LAND PARTNERS, LTD. AND MIKE LATTA v. DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE-TEXAS, LLC, No. 09-0901.
condemnation, public use
Willett
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Johnson
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion

Cautiously apply eminent domain Austin American-Statesman (March 26, 2012)
Texas Supreme Court Reinforces Denbury Decision, Favors Landowners State Impact NPR (March 2, 2012)
Takings by pipelines for private use (still not permitted); Petition about shareholder oppression gets a second chance [Mar. 2, 2012] SCOTXblog (March 2, 2012)
Texas Supreme Court Forbids Taking of Land for Private Pipelines Volokh Conspiracy (September 3, 2011)

Opinions from February 24, 2012

THE EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY AND THE STATE OF TEXAS v. BURRELL DAY AND JOEL MCDANIEL, No. 08-0964.
groundwater, regulatory takings
Hecht
Jefferson
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Johnson
Willett
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court

Texas Farmers Battle Ogallala Pumping Limits Texas Tribune (March 18, 2012)
Groundwater decision leaves a lot of unanswered questions Lufkin Daily News (March 18, 2012)
Taking a Deeper Look at the Texas Supreme Court’s Ruling on Water State Impact NPR (March 1, 2012)
Biggest Decision in TX Groundwater Since 1904 EDF (February 27, 2012)
Landmark Texas water rights case may lead to future takings claims or legislative fixes: Edwards Aquifer v. Day [Feb. 24, 2012] SCOTXblog (February 24, 2012)
Supreme Court delivers major ruling on water regulation Austin American-Statesman (February 24, 2012)
Texas Supreme Court Rules For Landowners in Water Case Texas Tribune (February 24, 2012)
How many opinions are left in the pipeline? No opinions today [Sep. 2, 2011] SCOTXblog (September 2, 2011)
Restatement of water rights passes senate Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (March 31, 2011)
Texas Senate passes groundwater legislation Fort Worth Star-Telegram (March 30, 2011)
Rule of fracture San Antonio Current (June 9, 2010)
A Watershed Case Texas Tribune (April 22, 2010)
Who owns groundwater in the aquifer? San Antonio Express-News (February 18, 2010)
High Court Hears Texas Water Rights Case KUT (NPR) (February 16, 2010)
Filling out the February argument sitting SCOTXblog (January 15, 2010)

Opinions from February 17, 2012

MABON LIMITED v. AFRI-CARIB ENTERPRISES, INC., No. 09-0715.
Percuriam
Per Curiam

SCOTX denies review in the Mike Leach case; grants review in two others SCOTXblog (February 17, 2012)
Motion for rehearing, in screenplay format SCOTXblog (October 28, 2011)

Opinions from February 10, 2012

IN RE NESTLE USA, INC., SWITCHPLACE, LLC, AND NSBMA, LP, No. 11-0855.
franchise tax, margins tax, direct appeal
Hecht
Jefferson
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Johnson
Willett
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court

Texas Supreme Court Dismisses Constitutional Challenge to Texas Margin Tax Texas Society of CPAs (February 10, 2012)
Texas Supreme Court weekly orders Texas Appellate Watch (February 10, 2012)
Court rejects second challenge to the Texas franchise tax [Feb. 10, 2012] SCOTXblog (February 10, 2012)
Update on the second case challenging the margins tax SCOTXblog (November 1, 2011)
Second Margin Tax Lawsuit Filed Texas Society of CPAs (October 21, 2011)

Opinions from January 27, 2012

CITY OF DALLAS v. HEATHER STEWART, No. 09-0257.
takings, res judicata, inverse condemnation, public nuisance

Dissenting
Opinion

Texas Supreme Court rules in case involving takings, nuisance, separation of powers Tex Parte (January 27, 2012)
Urban Blight vs. Property Rights Your Houston News (August 17, 2011)
Ruling may slow Houston's tearing down of nuisance properties Houston Chronicle (August 11, 2011)
Texas Supreme Court Casts Doubt on City Property Rights Cases NBCDFW (August 2, 2011)
Texas Supreme Court Says Dallas Erred When It Razed House, Even If It Was a "Nuisance" Dallas Observer (July 5, 2011)
Today’s decisions: Recognizing safety as an aspect of privacy; electronic voting machines upheld; medical damages limited SCOTXblog (July 1, 2011)
New CVSG; Exxon well-plugging cases to be reheard; a (rare) improvident grant; four new grants [orders Nov. 20, 2009] SCOTXblog (November 20, 2009)
JAYANTI PATEL v. CITY OF EVERMAN, No. 09-0506.
Percuriam
Per Curiam

Rehearing denied in the City of Dallas nuisance case – workers comp bar applies to temporary workers [Jan. 27, 2012] SCOTXblog (January 27, 2012)
PORT ELEVATOR-BROWNSVILLE, L.L.C. v. ROGELIO CASADOS AND RAFAELA CASADOS, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ESTATE OF THEIR SON, RAFAEL CASADOS, No. 10-0523.
Guzman
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Johnson
Willett
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court

Workers’ Comp Coverage: It’s Not Just for Permanent Employees in Texas Annotations (February 27, 2012)
Texas High Court Decision Reaffirms Bar Against Policyholder Negligence Claims Claims Journal (January 31, 2012)
Texas Supreme Court confirms that temporary employees are subject to the comp bar Reverse and Render (January 31, 2012)
Rehearing denied in the City of Dallas nuisance case – workers comp bar applies to temporary workers [Jan. 27, 2012] SCOTXblog (January 27, 2012)
IN RE CARL BASS, PATRICIA GRUTZMACHER AND THOMAS BAUER, No. 11-0245.
Percuriam
Per Curiam

Rehearing denied in the City of Dallas nuisance case – workers comp bar applies to temporary workers [Jan. 27, 2012] SCOTXblog (January 27, 2012)

Opinions from December 16, 2011

CITY OF DALLAS v. DAVID S. MARTIN AND GEORGE G. PARKER, ET AL., No. 07-0288.
UDJA, public benefits, injunctive relief
Johnson
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Guzman
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court 		Willett
Dissenting

How many opinions are left in the pipeline? No opinions today [Sep. 2, 2011] SCOTXblog (September 2, 2011)
KEITH LOWELL, ET AL. v. CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, No. 07-1011.
sovereign immunity, civil service, back pay
Percuriam
Per Curiam
MARSH USA INC. AND MARSH & MCLENNAN COMPANIES, INC. v. REX COOK, No. 09-0558.
employment law, non-competes, consideration
Percuriam
Concurring and Dissenting

Marsh USA: Texas Noncompete Agreements More Enforceable Texas Non-Compete Law Blog (August 1, 2011)
Texas Supreme Court Rules Stock Options Sufficient Consideration to Support Post-Employment Restrictive Covenant Unfair Competition & Trade Secrets Blog (June 29, 2011)
In a Groundbreaking Decision, the Texas Supreme Court Substantially Broadens the Universe of Enforceable Noncompetes M3 Blog (June 24, 2011)
Texas Supreme Court Considers Whether Stock Options are Consideration for Covenants Not to Compete Kroger Frisby (October 26, 2010)
Texas Supreme Court Accepts Non-Compete Issue for Review San Antonio Employment Law Blog (April 23, 2010)
Noncompetes in Texas: Can Money Alone Serve as Consideration for an Enforceable Noncompete HR Lawyer's Blog (April 14, 2010)
Texas values clash in noncompete case high court agrees to hear Texas Lawyer (April 13, 2010)
Supreme Court of Texas Grants Review in Stock-Options Noncompete Case Texas Employment Law Update (April 9, 2010)
VERNON F. MINTON v. JERRY W. GUNN, INDIVIDUALLY, WILLIAMS SQUIRE & WREN, L.L.P., JAMES E. WREN, INDIVIDUALLY, SLUSSER & FROST, L.L.P., WILLIAM C. SLUSSER, INDIVIDUALLY, SLUSSER WILSON & PARTRIDGE, L.L.P., AND MICHAEL E. WILSON, INDIVIDUALLY, No. 10-0141.
legal malpractice, patent law, federal jurisdiction
Green
Jefferson
Wainwright
Johnson
Lehrmann

Opinion of the Court 		Guzman
Medina
Willett

Dissenting

How many opinions are left in the pipeline? No opinions today [Sep. 2, 2011] SCOTXblog (September 2, 2011)
IN RE SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL AND SCI TEXAS FUNERAL SERVICES, INC. D/B/A MAGIC VALLEY MEMORIAL GARDENS, No. 10-0155.
Percuriam
Per Curiam
IN RE SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL AND SCI TEXAS FUNERAL SERVICES, INC., JOINTLY D/B/A MONT META MEMORIAL GARDENS, No. 10-0158.
Percuriam
Per Curiam
ETAN INDUSTRIES, INC. AND ETAN INDUSTRIES, INC., D/B/A CMA CABLEVISION AND/OR CMA COMMUNICATIONS v. RONALD LEHMANN AND DANA LEHMANN, No. 10-0318.
injunctive relief, statute of limitations, UDJA attorneys fees, fraudulent inducement
Percuriam
Per Curiam
SHELL OIL COMPANY; SWEPI LP D/B/A SHELL WESTERN E&P, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO SHELL WESTERN E&P, INC. v. RALPH ROSS, No. 10-0429.
statute of limitations, fraudulent concealment
Lehrmann
Jefferson
Hecht
Wainwright
Medina
Green
Johnson
Willett
Guzman

Opinion of the Court

Why Texans Are Chasing Millions in Oil and Gas Royalties State Impact NPR (March 26, 2012)
Annals of Oil and Gas: Royalty Owners May Have to Check Public Records, Texas Supreme Court Rules Blawgletter (December 28, 2011)
AMERICO LIFE, INC., AMERICO FINANCIAL LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY, GREAT SOUTHERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, THE OHIO STATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND NATIONAL FARMERS' UNION LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY v. ROBERT L. MYER AND STRIDER MARKETING GROUP, INC., No. 10-0734.
Percuriam
Per Curiam
IN RE JEFFREY COOK, No. 10-0855.
Percuriam
Per Curiam
RYLAND ENTERPRISE, INC. v. VICKIE WEATHERSPOON, No. 11-0189.
Percuriam
Per Curiam