Designated for publication Jones, J. (joined by Richman, Smith, Stewart, Southwick, Haynes, Duncan, Engelhardt, Wilson, JJ.); Graves, J., dissenting (joined by Elrod, Higginson, Willett, Ho, Douglas, JJ.); Higginson, J., dissenting (joined by Elrod, Graves, Willett, Ho, Oldham, Douglas, JJ.); Willett, J., dissenting (joined by Elrod, Graves, Higginson, Ho, Douglas, JJ.); Ho, J., dissenting (joined by … More January 23, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication Dennis, J. (Stewart, Dennis, Wilson), bankruptcy Reversing district court’s dismissal of preference action by secured creditor of debtor that had received the debtor’s rights in the preference action against the former CFO of debtor to avoid transfers of funds to the former CFO just prior to the debtor’s bankruptcy petition, and remanding … More January 22, 2024, opinions
Unpublished per curiam (Richman, Haynes, Duncan), qualified immunity Affirming summary judgment dismissal of excessive force and false arrest claims on qualified immunity grounds, reversing denial of qualified immunity on fabrication of evidence claim, and remanding for entry of summary judgment dismissing all claims. per curiam (Clement, Engelhardt, Ramirez), prisoner suit Dismissing as frivolous appeal from … More January 19, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication Wilson, J. (Stewart, Dennis, Wilson), insurance, personal jurisdiction Affirming dismissal of insurance coverage dispute on the basis of lack of specific personal jurisdiction. The plaintiff insured sought coverage for costs it incurred in responding to a non-party subpoena from multi-district litigation in South Carolina involving aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs); plaintiff was a … More January 18, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication Duncan, J. (Smith, Higginson, Duncan), habeas corpus, ineffective assistance of counsel Affirming denial of stay for habeas petitioner to return to state court to exhaust a procedurally defaulted IAC claim, denying additional certificate of appealability on IAC claim, and affirming denial of habeas relief on petitioner’s claim that state trial judge committed … More January 15-17, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication Dennis, J. (Stewart, Dennis, Wilson), Wilson, J., dissenting; breach of contract, due process Affirming dismissal of breach of contract, due process, and open meeting law claims by munitions manufacturer against city after city stopped paying tax abatement incentive payments to manufacturer upon determining that those payments violated the Texas Constitution. “This case … More January 12, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication Southwick, J. (King, Elrod, Southwick), Elrod, J., dissenting; Clean Air Act, administrative law Denying petitions for review of EPA order designating two Texas counties (Rusk and Panola) as in non-attainment for the NAAQS for sulfur dioxide, primarily due to emissions from a coal-burning power plant, and from order denying reconsideration of the … More January 11, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication Ho, J. (Graves, Higginson, Ho), qualified immunity Dismissing for lack of appellate jurisdiction appeal from denial of qualified immunity summary judgment in excessive force claim. As Judge Ho summarized the opinion: “Two established principles of law govern this qualified immunity appeal. First, it may be objectively reasonable under certain circumstances for police … More January 10, 2024, opinions
Unpublished per curiam (Richman, Stewart, Scholer, by designation), Title VII, Family and Medical Leave Act, employment discrimination, sanctions, discovery Affirming summary judgment dismissal of Title VII, Rehabilitation Act, and FMLA discrimination claims against former employer, and discovery decisions and denial of motion for sanctions. per curiam (King, Haynes, Graves), criminal Affirming conviction on bank robbery … More January 9, 2024, opinions
Designated for publication Jones, J. (Jones, Stewart, Duncan), administrative law Reversing $6.5 million penalty judgment and vacating injunction issued after jury verdict in civil enforcement action brought by the CFTC against energy commodity trader under 17 CFR § 155.4(b)(2)(i), “a regulation that prevents commodities traders from ‘taking the other side of orders’ without clients’ consent.” … More January 8, 2024, opinions
