| Justice Taft retired from the 1st Court of Appeals effective May 31, 2009 JUDGE PROFILE: Hon. Timothy Taft (retired) Justice Taft was first elected to the First Court of Appeals in 1994. He is a Vietnam Vet and was a prosecutor in the Harris County DA's Office for many years prior to seeking judicial office. Justice Taft was most recently re-elected on the Republican ticket in 2006, but chose to retire before the end of his term, and to become a visiting grandparent (instead of a visiting judge, a common part-time gig for former judges and justices). Justice Timothy Taft wrote 57 signed opinions on the merits and 47 per curiam opinions in FY 2008. Taft concurred twice with a separate opinion, bringing the total to 106, which is the lowest annual total for any member of the court. He issued no dissenting opinions all year. Justice Taft oversaw the Court's internship program, which allows law school students to gain appellate court experience in the course of their studies. Find more judge and court information at the Houston-Opinions Home Page |
| Recent Opinions by [Former] Houston Appeals Court Justice Tim Taft |
UPDATE: Governor Rick Perry has appointed Michael C. Massengale to fill the unexpired term of Justice Tim Taft, who retired on June 1, 2009. The new appointee will face the electorate in the next general elections if he survives the Republican primary. TEXT OF PRESS RELEASE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE: Gov. Perry Names Massengale Justice of the 1st Court of Appeals June 15, 2009 AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Michael C. Massengale of Houston justice of the 1st Court of Appeals for a term to expire at the next general election. The court presides over 10 counties surrounding the Houston area. Massengale is a partner at Baker Botts L.L.P. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and American and Houston Bar associations. He is also president of the Houston chapter of the Federalist Society, a volunteer with the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program, and a member of Annunciation Catholic Church. Massengale received a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He replaces Tim Taft of Houston. Recent Civil Appellate Case Opinions by Justice Timothy Taft Justice Tim Taft retired from the First Court of Appeals on May 31, 2009, but continues to sit by assignment for the disposition of numerous cases. Uptegraph v. Sandlwood Civic Club (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 5, 2010)(Taft) (homeowners in court, HOA litigation, restrictive covenants, deed restrictions, fence) AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Taft Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Taft and Sharp 01-07-00764-CV Scott D. Uptegraph, Jr. and Kara K. Uptegraph v. Sandalwood Civic Club Appeal from 333rd District Court of Harris County Trial Court Judge: Hon. Joseph Halbach Phillips v. Willy (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 28, 2010)(Taft) (real estate dispute, adverse possession, repudiation) AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Taft Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Taft and Sharp 01-07-00159-CV Lonnie Phillips, Jr., and Lance Phillips a/n/f v. Betty Willy, and The Executor of the Estate of Kenneth Bing, Kimberlyrae Bing Thompson and Kenneth W. Bing, Jr. Appeal from 23rd District Court of Brazoria County Trial Court Judge: Hon. Ben Hardin WPS, Inc. v. Enervest Operating, LLC (pdf) (Tex.App.- Houston [1st. Dist.] Nov. 23,2009)(Taft) (jury charge error claim rejected, juror misconduct affidavit properly struck as inadmissible) AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Taft Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Alcala 01-06-00759-CV WPS, Inc. v. Enervest Operating, LLC Appeal from 127th District Court of Harris County Trial Court Judge: Hon. Sharolyn P. Wood Chambers v. O'Quinn (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] Oct. 1, 2009)(Opinion on remand by Taft) (right to arbitration of attorney-client / legal malpractice dispute not waived, conflict in arb agreement as to whether TAA or FAA applies resolved in favor of Texas Arbitration Act, arbitration of legal malpractice claims) AFFIRM TRIAL COURT JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Tim Taft Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Hanks 01-04-01029-CV Bob Chambers, et al. v. John M. O'Quinn, individually d/b/a O'Quinn & Laminack, and John M. O'Quinn, P.C. Appeal from 61st District Court of Harris County Trial Court Judge: Hon. John Donovan Also see --> 2009 Civil Appellate Case Opinions by Justice Timothy Taft Also see --> 2008 Civil Appellate Case Opinions by Justice Timothy Taft 2007 Opinions Written by Justice Tim Taft in Civil Appeals |
