Congratulations to Kirk Pittard who was named “Best Lawyer” in the Appellate Category by D Magazine for 2019. This is Kirk’s 9th year to be named to the list.
Congratulations to Morgan McPheeters who was, once again, named a “Rising Star” in the appellate category by Texas “Super Lawyers” for 2019. You can see Morgan and the other appellate “rising stars” here.
Congratulations to Justin Kaufman and Rosalind Bienvenu who successfully defeated a Rule 12(b)(2) motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction filed by Navistar in New Mexico federal district court. Justin and Roz successfully argued that Navistar, who has been registered to do business in New Mexico since 1966, could be sued there for the wrongful death of Mr. Quinones, who was killed when his vehicle–designed and manufactured by Navistar–rolled over. In doing so, Judge Kenneth Gonzalez re-affirmed that a foreign corporation’s registration to do business in the state constitutes consent to New Mexico personal jurisdiction. You can read Judge Gonzalez’s opinion here, and a Law360.com article about the opinion here.
DP&S is proud of its partners, Kirk Pittard and Rick Thompson, who went back-to-back in the Texas Supreme Court this week.
On Tuesday, Kirk presented argument on behalf of the Respondents in University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center v. Lance McKenzie and Deborah Diver, No. 17-0730. The case involves a question of sovereign immunity claimed by M.D. Anderson after one of its physicians used a particular chemical fluid–designed to disperse a chemotherapy drug during treatment–that caused the clients’ daughter’s brain to swell and ultimately killed her. You can watch Kirk’s argument here.
On Wednesday, Rick presented argument on behalf of the Petitioner in Barbara Technologies Corp. v. State Farm Lloyds, No. 17-0640. This case involves the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act and whether the insurer’s invocation of a policy’s appraisal process and then payment of the appraisal award, but only after forcing the insured to sue its insurer, protects the insurer from penalties–interest and attorney’s fees–under the Act. You can see Rick’s argument here.
DP&S is pleased to announce that Tammy Holt has joined the firm’s Dallas office, effective February 11, 2019. Tammy brings not only significant appellate experience to the firm, but also significant litigation experience, having tried a number of complex commercial cases. Prior to joining DP&S, Tammy was Of Counsel at Rose Walker from 2007 to 2012, and then took over a solo practice in 2013 and formed the Holt Law Firm where she continued her trial and appellate practice.
Congratulations to Jessica Foster, Justin Kaufman, and Roz Bienvenu who, along with trial counsel, Paul Hultin, secured an important ground water victory this week in New Mexico, on behalf of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center and the San Pedro Creek Estates Homeowners’ Association, among many others. The Second Judicial District Court of New Mexico applied the “conservation” element of the state’s ground water permit statute, NMSA 72-12-3, to uphold the Office of the State Engineer’s denial of a major developer’s application to withdraw ground water in the East Mountains near Albuquerque. Judge Shannon Bacon decided the case against the developer and in favor of the neighboring landowners whose wells would be significantly impacted by the proposed development. This decision sets important precedent going forward as to what a developer must demonstrate to show adequate “conservation” in a permit application under New Mexico’s ground water statute. You can read Judge Bacon’s findings and conclusions here. Coverage of the decision by the Albuquerque Journal and the Santa Fe New Mexican can be read here and here, respectively. You can also read all about the trial that led to this important decision here.
This week, Thad Spalding presented argument in the Texas Supreme Court in Rey Garza v. Roxana Regalado Harrison and Joseph Santellana, individually and as representative of the Estate of Jonathen Anthony Santellana, Deceased, a case involving whether an off-duty police officer, working security for his apartment complex, is immune from suit after shooting and killing Jonathen Sanatellan. Thad’s argument can be seen here.
As we say goodbye to our good friend Peter Kelly, who starts his new chapter as a Justice on Houston’s First Court of Appeals today, we start one as well–as Durham, Pittard & Spalding, LLP. Good luck Peter and a very Happy New Year to everyone!
Congratulations to Dean Boyd and Lucas Williams of Attorney Dean Boyd PLLC and KD&P’s Morgan McPheeters on a $250,000 verdict in a car wreck case in Dallas County involving a defendant who decided to avoid gridlocked traffic by cutting over double white lines and through plastic barriers into the HOV lane, causing a wreck that resulted in severe and painful injuries to the plaintiffs. You can read the verdict here.
KD&P is pleased to announce that Rick Thompson joined the firm’s Dallas office as a partner on November 1, 2018. Rick is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and was formerly a partner at Hankinson, LLP and an Assistant Solicitor General at the Solicitor General’s Office of the Attorney General of Texas. Welcome to the firm, Rick!