Background Nonsuits and the Texas Anti-SLAPP, TCPA LAW The general rule is that if a party nonsuits all or part of their claims after a motion to dismiss under the Texas Anti-SLAPP, TCPA law has been filed against them, the nonsuit will not affect the motion to dismiss and the moving party’s right to attorney’s fees, cost and sanctions. In Hunton v. Blaschke, 14-18-01017-CV (Tex. Civ. App – Houston [14th] April 9, 2020, no…

Background Barnes v. Kinser, 05-19-00481-CV  (Tex. App. – Dallas April 7, 2020, no pet. h.) was a divorce gone bad. After the divorce, wife sued her attorneys for legal malpractice in: 1. negotiation of a marital property agreement (MPA), and 2. representation in the divorce. Facts The attorneys, Kinser & Bates, LLP, moved for arbitration under a written arbitration agreement. The trial court sent the representation claim to arbitration but not the negotiation claim.…

Background In K&L Gates, LLP v. Quantum Materials Corp, 13-19-00138-CV (Tex. App. – Austin 2020, no pet. h.) (mem. op.) the court had to decide if the attorney immunity doctrine applied to a suit by clients against a law firm. Facts Quantum Materials sued K&L Gates, their former lawyers. K&L filed a motion to dismiss under the Texas Anti-SLAPP, TCPA law. K&L Gates represented Quantum Materials. It is undisputed that K&L Gates represented Quantum…

Background In Moore vs. Anson Financial, Inc. 02-19-00201-CV, (Tex. App. – Fort Worth 2020, no pet.) (mem. op.), Anson Financial, Inc. was involved in a lawsuit against a former employee/attorney, Ghrist. Moore was Ghrist’s attorney. Anson filed suit against Moore alleging a civil conspiracy to help Ghrist breach his fiduciary duty as Anson’s former attorney. Anson alleged that through the conspiracy, Moore was helping Ghrist harm Anson in multiple ways. Moore filed a motion…

Background The appeals court ruled that the Texas Anti-SLAPP, TCPA, statute did not apply to a motion to transfer and a motion to dismiss under Rule 91a because they are not legal actions as defined in the statute. In the Guardianship of James E. Fairley, 04-19-00196-CV (Tex. App. – San Antonio 2020, no pet. h). Facts In this case, a daughter of Fairley, filed a wrongful death suit against her sister and Fairley’s widow…

The Texas Anti-Slapp statute (TCPA)- what is it? Background In Ramirez v. Rodriguez, 04-19-00618-CV (Tex. App. -San Antonio, Feb. 19, 2020 no pet. h) (mem. op.), three co-trustees of a Trust sued to remove Santiago, a fourth co-trustee. Santiago moved to dismiss the lawsuit under the Texas Citizens Participation Act (the Act), asserting the lawsuit was based on, related to, or was in response to the exercise of his right to free speech and…

The Texas Anti-Slapp statute (TCPA)- what is it? Background In Borderline Mgmt. v. Ruff, 11-19-00152-CV, (Tex. App. – Eastland 2020, no pet.) (mem. op.), the appeals court had to decide if a sustained special exception had an effect on the time limits under the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA), often referred to as the Texas Anti-Slapp statute. Facts Ruff originally sued her son, Michael. An arbitration panel awarded her $49,000,000.00 and imposed a constructive trust…