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Reverse & Render
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Reverse & Render
Dallas Court of Appeals Gets New Chief
By Byron Henry
Governor Rick Perry appointed Justice Carolyn Wright to succeed Chief Justice Linda Thomas on the Fifth Court of Appeals at Dallas effective October 31, 2009. Justice Wright will be the…
Reverse & Render
Probate court jurisdiction and void judgments
The Amarillo Court of Appeals recently concluded that when a probate proceeding is filed in a court that does not have jurisdiction, a judgment from the court is void, rather…
Reverse & Render
Agreed Venue in a Major Transaction–Not So Fast
By Byron Henry
The Dallas Court of Appeals recently held that the major transaction exception to the prohibition on venue agreements only applies if the value of the transaction is contained in the agreement…
Reverse & Render
Discovery in challenges to the exercise of personal jurisdiction
The Houston First District Court of Appeals has held that a trial court abused its discretion by denying the plaintiffs discovery of jurisdictional facts pertaining to the defendants' personal appearance. …
Reverse & Render
Oh Court Reporter, Where Art thou?
What should you do if you show up for a bench trial and there is no court reporter? The Fort Worth Court of Appeals recently decided an appeal raising this issue. …
Reverse & Render
Targeting Mandamus
The Amarillo Court of Appeals recently issue an opinion in In re Lagaite, in which the Court dismissed the petition for writ of mandamus for want of jurisdiction. The petitioner…
Reverse & Render
Texas Law Review needs your input
The Texas Law Review and its editors of the Texas Rules of Form ("the Greenbook") are preparing to revise the Texas Rules of Form and release a Twelfth Edition. …
Reverse & Render
Upcoming Appellate CLEs
By Byron Henry
On Thursday, October 1, 2009, the Appellate Sections of the Dallas, Tarrant, and Collin County Bar Associations will present "Practice Tips fron the Clerk's Office" and "A…
Reverse & Render
Fireworks: “Voidable” Blows Up Entire Agreement
What is the legal effect of a provision voiding a contract? This was the issue in the Fourth Court of Appeals case Mr. W. Fireworks Inc. v. Ozuna. In the…
Reverse & Render
Are Some Local Rules in Jeopardy?
By Byron Henry
The Dallas Court of Appeals recently held that local rules that are inconsistent with the TRCP are not enforceable. The case involved a summary judgment response that was supposedly filed and served seven days prior…