Verdict . News

Dec 5, 2025•4 min read

•Texas Supreme Court reversed default divorce judgment using Craddock test for relief from default

Texas Supreme Court Reverses Default Divorce, Grants New Trial

The Supreme Court of Texas reversed lower court rulings in a default divorce case, holding that Jenna Tabakman was entitled to a new trial under the Craddock test. The court found that Tabakman's failure to appear was not intentional, as she was unaware of alternative service methods.

•Petitioner was unaware of alternative service methods and citation posted on her door

Nov 14, 2025•4 min read

•Texas Supreme Court ruled shareholders cannot sue third parties based on agreements with their corporate entity

Texas Supreme Court Limits Shareholder Rights in Third-Party Suits

The Texas Supreme Court ruled that individual shareholders cannot sue third parties based on agreements made with their corporate entity, holding that such claims must be pursued through derivative actions on behalf of the corporation.

•Court held that such claims must be pursued through derivative actions on behalf of the corporation

Nov 7, 2025•2 min read

•Former family court judge improperly testified as expert witness on informal marriage issue in estate case

Texas Supreme Court Overturns Estate Ruling Over Improper Expert Testimony

The Texas Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision in an estate case, ruling that a former family court judge improperly testified as an expert witness on whether the parties had an informal marriage. The court found the testimony inappropriate and harmful, warranting a new trial.

•Texas Supreme Court found expert's testimony inappropriate because evidence was within ordinary understanding

•Texas Supreme Court ruled that Dr. Gonzalez can pursue constitutional challenges against the Texas Medical Board's investigation

Texas Supreme Court Rules on Doctor's Campaign Speech vs. Medical Board

The Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of Dr. Reynaldo 'Rey' Gonzalez Jr., who was investigated by the Texas Medical Board for calling himself a 'physician' during his congressional campaign despite lacking a medical license. The court held that certain constitutional claims should proceed against the medical board.

•The medical board investigated Gonzalez for campaign speech, not medical practice violations

•Texas Supreme Court reversed parental rights termination when state agency representative twice stated they sought only restriction, not termination

Texas Supreme Court Reverses Parental Rights Termination

The Texas Supreme Court reversed a trial court's termination of parental rights after the Department of Family and Protective Services' representative twice stated the agency sought only to restrict, not terminate, a mother's rights. The Court ruled trial courts cannot terminate parental rights when faced with unequivocal statements from the department indicating they do not seek such measures.

•Court established that trial courts cannot terminate parental rights when faced with unequivocal statements from department withdrawing termination as relief

Oct 31, 2025•5 min read

•Texas Supreme Court denied review in City of Houston v. Ashley Harris, leaving circuit split unresolved

Texas Supreme Court Declines Review on Superseded Admissions Question

The Texas Supreme Court denied review in City of Houston v. Ashley Harris, leaving unresolved a circuit split between Houston appeals courts on whether superseded admissions constitute evidence that can preclude summary judgment. Justice Young's concurrence highlighted the procedural uncertainty facing trial courts when parties amend their admissions during litigation.

•Houston appeals courts disagree on whether superseded admissions constitute evidence that can defeat summary judgment

•Texas Supreme Court denied review in subsurface trespass case involving mineral estate interference

Texas Supreme Court Denies Review in Mineral Rights Trespass Case

The Texas Supreme Court denied review in Ageron Energy, LLC v. ETC Texas Pipeline, Ltd., a case involving subsurface trespass claims against neighboring mineral estates. Justice Busby's concurrence warns that the lower court's decision undermines important protections for mineral rights holders.

•Justice Busby's concurrence criticizes appeals court for potentially barring future claims through improper application of res judicata

•Texas Supreme Court granted conditional mandamus relief against trial court that violated TCPA appeal stay

Texas Supreme Court Issues Mandamus Relief in TCPA Appeal Stay Case

The Supreme Court of Texas conditionally granted mandamus relief against a trial court that violated statutory stay provisions by issuing orders during a pending Texas Citizens Participation Act appeal. The high court directed the trial court to vacate its unauthorized order awarding attorney's fees.

•Trial court improperly entertained motions and issued attorney's fees order during statutory stay period

Oct 24, 2025•4 min read

•Texas Supreme Court denied Novartis's mandamus petition citing new appellate court jurisdiction

Texas Supreme Court Denies Novartis Mandamus Petition

The Texas Supreme Court denied a petition for writ of mandamus filed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, with two justices issuing a statement highlighting constitutional concerns about qui tam litigation under the Texas Health Care Program Fraud Prevention Act.

•Justices Young and Sullivan highlighted constitutional concerns about qui tam litigation under Texas healthcare fraud law