Cases Decided by the First Court of Appeals in 2008 | 2007
(Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.] 2008)
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TABLE OF CIVIL CASES

Poland v. Ott (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 19, 2008)(Taft)(substituted opinion, HCLC, motion to
dismiss, timely service of expert report)
Concurring Opinion by Justice Taft  
Dissenting Opinion by Justice Jennings   
Cook v. Missionary Village Apartments (Tex.App.- Houston [ 1st Dist.] Dec. 19, 2008)(Nuchia) (eviction
appeal)
Beard v. Endeavor Natural Gas, LP (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 19, 2008)(Bland)
(
oil and gas law, venue, royalties, declaratory judgment, attorney's fees)
In re John Cole (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 19, 2008)
(per curiam denial of mandamus, order on motion to compel)
Sinegaure v. Bally Total Fitness Corp,. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 18, 2008)(Taft)
(liability for death, emergency medical service, gym,
admission of evidence microfilmed contract)
Douglas v. Booker (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 18, 2008)(Jennings)
(
interlocutory order denying summary judgment not immediately appealable)
TransAmerica Occidental Life Ins. Co. v. Rapid Settlements (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 18,
2008)(Bland)
(
arbitration, no agreement to arbitrate, nonsignatories)
Cruz v. Houston General Ins. Co. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 18, 2008)(Keyes)
(
TWCC, SIB, supplemental benefits)
Grant v. Laughlin Environmental, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 18, 2008)(Jennings)
(
summary judgment evidence, conclusory affidavit, breach of contract, quantum meruit, fraud, negligent
misrepresentation)
Kyung Lee v. Kwik Industries, Inc. (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 18, 2008)(Jennings)
(
breach of contract, declaratory judgment, sj)  
PPI Technology Services LP v. Onca Petroleum Development, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 11,
2008)(Nuchia) (
segregation of attorney's fees, motion for new trial based on newly discovered evidence)
Guerrero v. Boyd (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 11, 2008)(Nuchia)(pro se appeal deficient briefing,
parties to the appeal, nonsuited party not appellees, ineffective assistance of counsel)
Lowry v. Liberty Lloyds of Texas Ins. Co. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 11, 2008)(Alcala)
(
Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 11, 2008)(Alcala)
(
appeal from summary judgment; one ground for sj not challenged)
In the Matter of AMM (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 11, 2008)(Nuchia)
(
juvenile deliquency, drag racing death, habeas corpus)
Sullivan DDS v. UTHSC at Houston Dental Branch (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 11, 2008)(Alcala)
(
Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 11, 2008)(Alcala)(governmental immunity, public  employment, ADEA
claim, no property interest)
James v. METRO (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 11, 2008)(Bland)
(
untimely notice of appeal, no appellate jurisdiction, appeal dismissed DWOJ)
In re OAG (Tex.App- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec 11, 2008)(Taft) Taft)(bill of review, prior factually false
paternity adjudication upheld, parentage proceeding)
Douglas v. Douglas (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 4, 2008)(Nuchia)
(DWOP, reinstatement, findings of fact, pro se)
Hunt Construction Group, Inc. v. Konecny (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 4, 2008)(Alcala)
(workers comp, exclusive remedy defense, subcontractors, construction law)
CMA-CGM (America) Inc. v. Empire Truck Lines, Inc. (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 4, 2008)(Alcala)
(indemnity, choice of law, foreign state)
City of Houston v. Buttitta (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 4, 2008)(Opinion on rehearing by Hanks)
(UDJA, city's declaratory judgment action not jurisdictionally barred after all, appeal from civil service
commission determination)
Span Enterprises v. Wood (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 4, 2008)(Alcala) (no attorney-client
relationship, fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting, due diligence, limitations, time-barred)
Kahng v. Verity (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 4, 2008)(per curiam DWOP dismissal)
In re Robert Alpert (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 4, 2008)(Bland)
(recusal, void orders, administrative reassignment of case after recusal)
In re Klarman (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 4, 2008)(per curiam denial)
(mandamus re: order on a motion to show authority denied)

NOVEMBER 2008

SIMULIS LLC v. G.E. Electric Corp (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 26, 2006)(Taft)
(
garnishment of payroll funds approved)
Nabelek v. City of Houston (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 26, 2008)(Taft)
Nabelek v. City of Houston (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 26, 3008)(Taft)
French v. Gilbert (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 26, 2008)(Taft) (malpractice, abatement vs.
dismissal)
Liu v. DFPS (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 26, 2008)(Wilson)
Mooseviadeen v. Toote Tigard, (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.]  Nov. 20, 2008)(Nuchia)
City of Houston v. Southern Electrical Services (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 20, 2008)(Bland)
In Re Rein Henderson, Deceased (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 20, 2008)(Radack)
Carter v. City of Galveston (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 20, 2008)(Bland)
Garcia v. Harding (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 20, 2008)(Jennings)
Donaho v. Bennet (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 20, 2008)(Alcala)
Bio Landscape & Maintenance, Inc. v. Morse (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 13, 2008)(Jennings)
(appeal, partial record)
Delahoussaye v. Kana (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Nov 13, 2008)(Alcala) (suit for return of real
property, rescission of deed, gift)
A/K Service LLC v. HCAD (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 13, 2008)(Hanks) (exclusion of evidence, no
harm)
Lara-Robledo v. Salmons (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 13, 2008)(Hanks) (naming defendant
properly, dba, partnership, default judgment)
Safety National Casualty Corp. v. State of Texas (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 7, 2008)(Nuchia)
(forfeiture, supplemental opinion)
Chau v. Riddle, MD (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 6, 2008)(Hanks) (opinion on remand)
(
HCLC, botched intubation of newborn)
Hilburn v. Providian Holdings, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 6, 2008)(Taft)
(interpretation of
easement agreement, untimely designation of expert witness) (UDJA, interpretation of
easement agreement, untimely designation of expert witness, attorney's fees expert)
Stoker v. Stoker (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 6, 2008)(Keyes)
(
divorce, property division, economic contribution claim)
Hahn v. Love (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 6, 2008)(Higley)
(
real estate law , judgment lien, cloud on title, constructive trust counterclaim, intervention, satisfaction of
judgment)
Williams v. Jackson (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 6, 2008)(opinion on rehearing by Radack)
(
attorney fee litigation, breach not excused, duress defense unsuccessful, justification defense fails)
In Interest of BHG (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 6, 2008)(per curiam) (termination appeal)
Ross v. Nicon Construction, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 6, 2008)
(
interlocutory appeal, special appearance)
Cramer v. State Farm Mutual Auto Ins. Co. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 6, 2008)(Jennings)
(
denial of motion to transfer venue re determined de novo by county court on appeal)
Roxar Flow Management AS v. FLowsys (USA) Inc (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 6, 2008)(per
curiam)(DWOP, nonpayment of fees)


June 2008 Opinions in Civil Cases Decided by the First Court of Appeals

In re Walker (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 30, 2008)(per curiam denial of mandamus)
In re Walker (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 30, 2008)(Jennings) (termination of parental rights,
mandamus against denial of motion to dismiss suit after dismissal deadline had passed)
Guillot v. Guillot (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 26, 2008)(Alcala)
(
child custody appeal, supervised visitation, spousal support, domestic violence finding relevant)
In Re Bison Building Materials (Tex.App.- Houston [1st dist.] June 26, 2008)(Radack) (opinion in pdf)
(
arbitration mandamus, employment, workplace injury, no waiver of right to arbitrate found)
Alexander v. DFPS (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 26, 2008) (substitute opinion by Hanks)
(
termination of parental rights)
Karen McCright v. Rodriguez (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 26, 2008)(Jennings)
(
real estate law, property dispute, foreclosure, deed)
Evans v. TDCJ-ID (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 26, 2008)(Bland)
(
PI sovereign immunity governmental immunity)
In re Tam Pamela Tran (Tex.App. - Housotn [1st Dist.] June 26, 2008)(per curiam)
(habeas corpus petition dismissed based on settlement)
J.C. v. State (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 26, 2008)(Nuchia)
(
involuntary mental health civil commitment, medication reversed)
Merritt, MD v. Williamson (Tex.App.  - Houston [1st Dist.] June 26, 2008)(Hanks)
(
HCLC, ILA, remanded for trial court to determine whether to grant 30-day extension for expert report)
Jack v. Holiday World of Houston (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 19, 2008)(Taft) (DTPA, motor home
purchase, mistrial, improper comments in presence of jury, Batson challenge)
TDPS v. Varme (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 19, 2008)(Radack) (drivers' license suspension)
Woofter, MD v. Benitez (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 19, 2008)(Nuchia) (HCLC, expert report,
probate court)
Schwartz v. The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 19,
2008)(Hanks)
(
health insurance coverage denial, delay in approval)
Coleman v. Revak (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 19, 2008)(Hanks) (employment at will)
Supkis v. Madison Place Homeowners Ass'n (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 19, 2008)(Radack)
(
homeowner's law, rule against perpetuities not violated)  
Poledore v. Fraley (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 19, 2008)(Radack)
(
TTCA, prisoner suit against appointed attorney for malpractice, NE-SJ reversed)  
Smith v. DFPS (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 19, 2008)(Higley) (termination of parental rights -
drugs)
In re Johnson (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 19, 2008)(per curiam) (no appellate writ power over
JP)ounty
In re Coleman (Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 13, 2008)(per curiam)
(motion to set aside indictment, mandamus denied, petition deficient)
Marcum v. Marcum (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 12, 2008)(Alcala)
(
divorce case, property division, alter ego, piercing corporate veil, jury selection, peremptory challenges)
Stephens v. City of Houston (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 12, 2008)(Keyes)
(
City of Houston litigation, UDJA claims stemming from termination of city employment moot, no standing)
Smith v. DFPS (Tex.App.- Houston [1st dist.] June 12, 2008)(per curiam)
(termination case, grant of motion for new trial moots appeal, record transferred to subsequent appeal
from final judgment)
Canales v. Womack (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 12, 2008)(Hanks)
(
auto accident, collision, right of way, negligence, jury trial)
Lumpkin v. DFPS (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 12, 2008)(Higley)
(
termination of parental rights, drugs, frivolous appeal)
In re Jeanie Nolle (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jun 12, 2008)(Keyes)
(
discovery mandamus granted in part)l
In re Tracey Wade Mock (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] June 11, 2008)(per curiam denial of venue
mandamus)
In Re Tina Benkiser, Republican Party of Texas (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 9, 2008) (Jennings)
(
election mandamus on eve of party convention denied b/c TRO set for contested hearing same day)
Alpert v. Riley (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 5, 2008)(Bland)
(
probate law, trust administration dispute)
L&L Crane Service, Inc. v. Continental Dredging, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 5, 2008)
(Nuchia) (commercial dispute, storage fees, breach of contract, quantum meruit, conversion claim)
Eikenhorst MD v. Wellbrock (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 5, 2008)(Bland)
(
HCLC, expert report)(denial of motion to dismiss affirmed)
Zimmerman, MD v. Anaya (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mune 5, 2008)(Bland)
(
HCLC, interlocutory appeal not authorized, dismissed for want of appellate jurisdiction)
Economic Air, S.A. de C. V. v. Jacobs (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 5, 2008)(Bland) (joint motion to
dismiss)
Wood v. State of Texas (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] June 5, 2008)(Nuchia) (DWI, ineffective assistance
of counsel)
Dissenting Opinion by Justice Keyes    

May 2008 Opinions in Civil Cases Decided by the First Court of Appeals

Brown v. Xie (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 29, 2008 )(Alcala) (TTCA, defamation, dismissal of employee)
Hartford Fire Ins. Co. v. C. Springs 300, Ltd. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 29, 2008)(Radack) (construction law,
bonding)
Ashdon, Inc. v. Gary Brown and Assoc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 29, 2008)(Keyes) (special apperance, breach of
contract, conversion)
TDCJ v. Jackson (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 29, 2008)(Radack) (government entities, prisoner suit, defendant
prevails with
immunity plea on appeal)
Gordon v. Jones (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 29, 2008)(Radack) (real estate law, trespass to try title action, TTTT,
multiple appeals)
Adebo v. Litton Loan Servicing, LP (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] May 29, 2008)(Radack) (real estte law,
no wrongful foreclosure)
Guillory v. DFPS (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 29, 2008)(per curiam) (reversed pursuant to settlement agreement, new
trial)
The City of Pasadena, Texas v. Kuhn (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 29, 2008) (Keyes) (TTCA, collision with emergency
vehicle,
immunity claim) (denial of plea to the jurisdiction reversed)
Astolfo v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 22, 2008)(Taft) (premises liability, store, falling
objects)
Reed v. REO Properties Corp. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 22, 2008)(Alcala) (waiver of appeal, inadequate briefing)
Capital Finance & Commerce AG v. First International Oil (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 22, 2008)(Radack) (foreign
defendant,
interlocutory appeal of special appearance)
Kindsfather v. Green (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 22, 2008)(Taft)(real estate law, forged deed)
Melendez v. De Lemos (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] May 22, 2008)(Radack)
(
construction law, summary judgment, arbitration)Edascio, LLC v. NextiraOne, LLC (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 22,
2008)(Jennings) (commercial law, breach of contract, JNOV,
parol evidence rule bars introduction of evidence to prove
claim)
Carlson v. Remington Hotel Corp. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 22, 2008)(Nuchia) (premises liability, res ipsa loquitur
Halabu v. Petroleum Wholesale, LP (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 22, 2008)(Bland)
(special appearance, forum selection clause enforced)
San Jacinto Methodist Hospital v. Carr (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] May 22, 2008)(Bland)
(
HCLC, med-mal, medical malpractice suit, expert report, motion to dismiss HCLC properly denied)
Mbonu v. Office of the Attorney General (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 22, 2008)(Radack)
(
family law, paternity, retroactive child and medical support, restricted appeal of UIFSA default judgment fails)
In re Jindal Saw Limited (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 22, 2008)(Alcala)
(
workplace safety, occupational injury, worker's comp, nonsubscriber, arbitration, wrongful death, survival action)
In re The Office of Attorney General of Texas (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 22, 2008)(Taft) (mandamus granted) (order
found void, entered after expiration of plenary jurisdiction, appeal from associate judge to referring court)
ARCO Construction Co., Inc. v. Americon Services Co., Inc (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 15, 2008)(Higley)
(
construction law, Prompt Payment Act, attorney's fees)
Lofton v. Dyer (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 15, 2008)(Hanks) (real estate law, trespass to try title, adverse
possession, right to trial by jury waived, motion for continuance denied)
Banani v. Meas Family Partnership (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 9, 2008)(per curiam)
(settled according to mediator)
Blitz Holding Corp. v. Grant Thornton, LLP (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] May 8, 2008)(Opinion on rehearing by Radack)
(investments, debt restructuring, promissory note, foreclosure, proof of damages) (Justice Alcala
recused)
Rodea v. Chevron (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 8, 2008)(Alcala) (sex discrimination suit, employment law)
DeClaire v. G&GB McIntosh Family Limited Partnership (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 8, 2008)(Opinion on rehearing by
Keyes) (promissory note)
Dow Supply Co. v. Houston Tubulars Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 8, 2008)(Alcala) (res judicata bars claim)
Salaymeh v. Plaza Centro, LLC (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 8, 2008)(Hanks) (enforcement, judicial sale to satisfy
judgment)
Grider v. Mike O'Brien, PC (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 8, 2008)(Hanks) (legal malpractice suit stemming from
medical malpractice suit)
Neal v. Garcia-Horrerios (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist] May 8, 2008)(Jennings) (negligence, due diligence in serving
defendant, statute of limitations)
In re Atlantic Specialty Ins. Co. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 8, 2008)(per curiam) (mandamus denial)  
Lantier v. Grasso Production Management, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 2, 2008)(dismissed by appellant)
McLane v. McLane (Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.] May 1, 2008)(Op. on motion for rehearing by Hanks)(child support
decrease,
intentional underemployment found to justify deviation from guideline amount, retroactive application)

April 2008 Civil Case Opinions from the First Court of Appeals  

Vasquez v. Hildenbrand (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 24, 2008)(Keyes)
[
auto PI, negligence, recusal motion]
In the Matter of T.W.C., Jr. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 24, 2008) (Radack) (juvenile, erroneous admonishment)
Quinn v. Milanizadeh (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 24, 2008) (Higley)
(
divorce, separate property, common law marriage)
Salmeron v. T-Mobile West Corp. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 24, 2008)(Subst. op. by Jennings)
(county court's dismissal of appeal from JP court was error, appeal bond was timely after all as shown by supplemental
record)
In re Henry (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 24, 2008)(Hanks)
(dominant jurisdiction, motion to abate denied, mandamus denied)
Henry v. McMichael (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 24, 2008)(Hanks)
Howeth Investments, Inc. v. The City of Hedwig Village (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 17, 2008)(Taft)
Klein, MD and BCM v. Hernandez (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 17, 2008)(Jenning)(HCLC)
Concurring Opinion by Justice Taft in Geffrey Klein, M.D. and Baylor College of Medicine v. Cynthia Hernandez
Safety National Casualty Corp. v. State of Texas (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 17, 2008)(Nuchia)
Charida v. Allstate Indemnity Co. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 17, 2008)(Higley)
Mann v. HCAD (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 17, 2008)(Radack)
Briggs v. Briggs (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 19, 2008)(Bland)
UTMB v. Railsback (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 19, 2008)(Jennings)
Llorance v. Sohi (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 17, 2008)(Higley)
In re A&B GP, LLC (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 7, 2008)(per curiam, challenged order withdrawn)
In re Ann Garrett (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 4, 2008)(per curiam)
In re A&B GP, LLC (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 7, 2008)(per curiam)
In re A&B Valve and Piping Systems, LP (Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 7, 2008)(per curiam)
In re Ann Garrett (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 4, 2008)(per curiam)
Jackson v. Tx. Bd. of Pardons and Paroles (Tex. App. - Houston [ 1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(Keyes) (expunction suit improperly
dismissed, no hearing set)
Schmidt v. Bell (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(Bland) (motion for continuance denied, MSJ)
Thompson v. Winkelmann (Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(Alcala) (real estate law, access to cemetery)
HCAD v. Sigmor Corp. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(Higley)(property tax litigation, taxing gas stations)
RDI Mechanical v. WPVA LP (Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(Alcala)(foreclosure, M&M lien, trial by consent)
National Advertising Co. v. Potter (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(Higley) (lease law, billboards, business
disputes)
Curttright v. Curttright (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(Hanks)(family law, divorce, sanctions cases)
Pride International, Inc. v. Bragg (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(Bland)
(
employment law, severance pay dispute)
Bermia v. DFPS (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(Keyes) (termination of parental rights, ineffective counsel)
Tanguy v. Laux (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(Alcala)(temporary injunction, UFTA)
Bogan v. McDonald (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(per curiam) (dismissed by appellant)
In re Heather Sartain (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 3, 2008)(Nuchia) (family law,
temporary order for attorneys fees, mandamus granted, divorce, SAPCR proceedings, order granting
interim attorney's fees lifted,
temporary orders appeals)

March 2008 Opinions released by the First Court of Appeals

Landers v. State Farm Lloyds (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 27, 2008)(Subst. opinion by Hanks) (summary judgment,
motion for continuance)
Scott v. King (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 27, 2008)(Hanks)(defamation, IIED, Election Code violation)
Huepers. v. Thompson (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 27, 2008)(Alcala)
(
termination of parent's rights)
Clark v. Wells Fargo Bank, NA (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 27, 2008)(Hanks)
(
probate law, right to survivorship, CDs)
Clark v. Wells Fargo Bank, NA (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 27, 2008)(Hanks)
Ex Parte Waller ISD (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 25, 2008)(Taft)
Brown & Brown of Texas v. Omni Metals, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 20, 2008)(Nuchia)
(
insurance law, coverage, Insurance Code violation, DTPA, negligent misrepresentation, large judgment reversed)
Duran v. Citibank (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 20, 2008)(Taft)
(
consumer credit, credit card suit, evidence, attorney's fees, creditor prevails, summary judgment affirmed)
Dixon Financial Services Ltd. v. Greenberg, Peden, Siegmyer & Oshman, PC (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 20,
2008)(Higley) (commercial, financial litigation)
Stamper v. Knox (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 20, 2008)(Keyes)
Taylor v. Taylor (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 20, 2008)(Higley)
Irannezhad v. Aldine ISD (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 20, 2008)(Jennings)
Ronald Lee Alexander v. Duer (Tex.App.- Houston [1st. Dist.] Mar. 13, 2008)(Hanks) (Rule 202 deposition, ILA not
authorized, DWOJ)
Backhus v. Werchan Wisnoski (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 13, 2008)(Nuchia) (probate law, construction of will, real
estate law, partition of land)
Poland v. Dr. James Willerson (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 13, 2008)(Taft) (HCLC, expert report, TTCA, election of
defendant, govt unit)
Peden v. City of West University Place (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 13, 2008)(per curiam) (joint motion to reverse
pursuant to settlement)
Esparza v. Peterson (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 13, 2008)(per curiam) (agreed reversal and dismissal on joint
motion per settlement agreement)
McGee v. Abrams Technical Services, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.], March 6, 2008)(Alcala) (employment law, no
breach of contract, summary judgment for Defendant affirmed,
employment at will)
National Football League Players Inc. v. Balek's Bar-B-Q (Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 6, 2008)(Nuchia)
(
bill or review, default judgment on breach of contract, BoC, counterclaim)
Alexander v. Malek (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 6, 2008)(Bland)
(pro se suit against opposing counsel, misrepresentation)
Ebrahim v. Middlebury Properties, II (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 6, 2008)(Nuchia) (lease law, property code,
preservation of error, TC record)
Khan v. Hasan (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 6, 2008)(Higley) (premises liability, slip and fall claim)
Lichtenburg v. Conmed Corp. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 6, 2008)(Bland) (HCLC, medical liability, breast reduction
surgery, expert testimony)
Olvera v. Olvera (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 6, 2008)(Higley)
(
family law, mediated settlement agreement stands)
Texas Mutual Ins. Co. v. Havard (Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 6, 2008)(Bland) (workers comp, compensability,
intoxication claim,
sanctions, failure to impose sanctions not error)
Harrignton v. Finley Resources, Inc. (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 6, 2008)(per curiam) (substitution

February 2008 Decisions from the First Court of Appeals in Civil Appeals
with links to opinions  

In re Allianz Global Risk US (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 29, 2008)(per curiam) (mandamus not appropriate against
judge who did not sign the order)
In re Marsh USA Inc. (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 29, 2008)(per curiam) (whom may mandamus relief be sought
against, wrong judge here)
Scott Bader, Inc. v. Sandstone Products, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 28, 2008)(Higley) (products liability,
imposition of sanctions by trial court)
Dissenting Opinion by Justice Keyes in Scott Bader, Inc. v. Sandstone Products, Inc. (sanctions)  
Landers v. State Farm Lloyds (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 28, 2008)(subst. op by. Hanks)(insurance law, admission
of evidence)
City of Houston v. Hildebrandt (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 28, 2008)(Hanks) (firefighter law suits, UDJA, declaratory
judgment, statutory penalty)
Lofton v. Marmaxx Operating Corp. (Tex.app.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 28, 2008)(Hanks) (premises liability)
Hopkins v. DFPS No. 01-07-00313-CV (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 28, 2008)(Keyes)(termination of parental rights)
Koll Bren Fund VI LP v. HCAD (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 28, 2008) (Radack) (property tax protest, tax appeal,
judicial review, standing, exhaustion of administrative remedies)
Findley-Smith, MD v. Smith (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 28, 2008)(Keyes) (HCLC, expert report, denial of motion to
dismiss affirmed)
In re Shoreline Partners LLC (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Fab. 28. 2008)(Keyes)
Enviropower LLC v. Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc. (Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 21, 2008)(Hanks)(domestication and
enforcement of foreign judgments, exception, death penalty sanctions leading to default judgment)
Environpwer LLC v. Bear, Sterns & Con. Inc. (Tex.App. Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 21, 2008)(Opinion by en banc order by
Keyes)(net worth)
Justice Bland wrote concurrence on en banc review in Environpower LLC v. Bear, Stern & Co. Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st
Dist.] Feb. 21, 2008)(Concurrence by Bland)(net worth)
Hanks wrote a dissenting opinion on en banc review in Environpower LLC v. Bear, Stern & Co. Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st
Dist.] Feb. 21, 2008)(Dissent by Hanks)(net worth, supersedeas bond)
Cypress Northwest Associates, Ltd. v. Wayne Duddleston, Ltd II. (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 21, 2008)
(Superseding opinion by Hanks,
December 20, 2007 opinion withdrawn)
General Electric Cap. Corp. v. Knapp, Jr. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 21, 2008)(Higley) (UFTA, fraudulent transfer)
Daniels v. State (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 21, 2008)(Bland) (forfeiture, intervention, finality of order, interlocutory
order, DWOJ)
Koval v. Kirkland Contractors, Inc. (Tex.App,- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 15, 2008)(Davie Wilson)(res judicata, attorney's fees)
City of Galveston, Texas, and BP v. Saint-Paul, No. 01-06-00580-CV (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 14, 2008)(Alcala)
(Open Meetings Act,
lease case, real estate transaction, standing, attorney's fees)
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital and Texas Heart Institute v. Poland No. 01-06-01038-CV (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb.
14, 2008)(Taft)
HCLC, medical malpractice, timeliness of expert report)
National Family Life Ins. Co. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 7, 2008)(Alcala)
(
insurance law, timeliness of notice, sicko law, health insurance coverage)
Austin v. Countywide Home Loans (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 7, 2008)(Hanks) (suit on promissory note)
Williams v. Unifund CCR Partners Assignee of CitiBank (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 7, 2008)(Keyes)
(
consumer credit card debt suit, judgment reversed, sworn account, attorney's fees)
American Heritage, Inc. v. Nevada Gold & Casionos, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 7 2008)(Bland)
(standing, alter ego)
Thomas v. Centerpoint Energy, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 7, 2008)(Bland)
(
animal law, car - horse collision, proof of negligence, causation, evidence)
Poland v. Grigore (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 1, 2008)(Taft) (HCLA, Med Mal, expert report)

January 2008 Opinions of the First Court of Appeals in Civil Cases  

Pena v. Je Matadi Dress Co. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 31, 2008)(Keyes) (intellectual property, patent assignment
duress)
Foote v. Tate (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 31, 2008)(Nuchia) (real estate law, contract construction, consideration)
Ramirez Restrepo v. Gutierrez (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 31, 2008)(Higley) (real estate transactions, trespass to try
title action, tenants)
Satterwhite Aviation Service v. International Profit Associates, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 31, 2008)(Hanks)
(
venue law, forum selection clause)
Poland v. Ott (Tex.App. - Houston [14th Dist.] Jan 31, 2008)(Taft) (HCLC, med mal suit, health care liabiliy claim, timely
delivery of expert report by proper method)
Hudson & Keyse, LLC v. Gipson (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 31, 2008)(Jennings) (credit card debt suit, DWOP,
substitute service, motion to reinstate)
Smith v. County of Galveston (Tex.App.- Houston [1st. Dist.] Jan. 31, 2008)(Jennings) (prison food poisoning claim
dismissed, discovery dispute, attorney malpractice)
In the Matter of ZMM, a Child (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 24, 2008)(Taft) (juvenile sex crime, no fundamental error)
The Cadle Co. v. Bray,  (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 24, 2008)(Alcala) (jurisdiction,
default judgment, dormant judgment, res judicata)
Alexander v. DFPS (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 24, 2008)(Hanks)(termination, CPS, DFPS)
Salmeron v. T-Mobile (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 24, 2008)(Jennings) (county court jurisdiction, JP court appeal,
timeliness)
Yeh v. MacOugall (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 17, 2008)(Alcala)
(breach of contract, counterclaim,
attorney's fees, prevailing party)
Nayyer v. Greenbriar Place Maintenance  Ass'n (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 17, 2008)(Keyes) (real estate,
maintenance assessments)
Texas Mutual Ins. Co. v. Ruttiger (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 17, 2008)(Jennings) (insurance law, workers comp,
unfair practices, Insurance Code claim,
DTPA)
Valentine v. Cunningham (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 17, 2008)(Jennings)(attorney referral fee agreement,
no enforceable contract, no breach of contract)
Gary E. Patterson & Associates, PC v. Holub (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 10, 2008)(Taft)(validity of lien, suit for
attorney's fees, settlement)
Williams v. TDCJ-ID (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 10, 2008)(Taft)(bill of review denied)
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HOUSTON CASE LAW BLOG
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FIRST
COURT OF APPEALS
Chief Justice Sherry Radack
Justice Elsa Alcala
Justice Jane N. Bland
Justice George C. Hanks, Jr.
Justice Laura Carter Higley
Justice Terry Jennings
Justice Evelyn Keyes
Justice Sam Nuchia (2008)
Justice Tim Taft
January 2008 Decisions
Feburary 2008 Decisions
March 2008 Decisions
April 2008 Decisions
May 2008 Decisions
June 2008 Decisions
July 2008 Decisions
August 2008 Decisions
September 2008 Decisions
October 2008 Decisions
November 2008 Decisions
December 2008 Decisions
January 2007 Opinions
February 2007 Opinions
March 2007 Opinions
April 2007 Opinions
May 2007 Opinions
June 2007 Opinions
July 2007 Opinions
August 2007 Opinions
September 2007 Opinions
October 2007 Opinions
November 2007 Opinions
December 2007 Opinions
2007 Table of Civil Cases