Agency, Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Health and Safety, Nuisance, Takings

Junk vehicle owner failed to establish ownership in municipal court, so was not entitled to sue for taking in later suit

  Jane Vorwerk v. City of Bartlett and John Landry Pack, Mayor, 03-21-00001-CV, (Tex. App – Austin, August 6, 2021) The Bartlett Municipal Court declaring a 1986 Toyota mobile home to be a junk vehicle. The municipal court found that defendant James
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Constitutional Challenge, Litigation, Official/Qualified Immunity, Sec. 1983, Sovereign Immunity, TTCA

Eastland Court of Appeals holds deputies entitled to qualified immunity after takedown broke suspects jaw as video did not show constitutional level violations

Peter Klassen v. Gaines County, Texas, and Gaines County Deputy Sheriffs Ken Ketron and Clint Low, 11-19-00266-CV (Tex.App.—Eastland July 15, 2021) This is an excessive force/§1983 case where the Eastland Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s granting of the County’s and
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Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Litigation, Procedure, Sovereign Immunity, Takings

Fort Worth Court of Appeals holds oral pronouncements from bench cannot be considered when appealing a written order granting Town’s plea to the jurisdiction

John Artuso v. Town of Trophy Club, Texas, 02-20-00377-CV, (Tex. App – Fort Worth, May 13, 2021) This is a negligence, taking,  and declaratory judgment action where the Fort Worth Court of Appeals affirmed the granting of the Town’s plea to the
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Constitutional Challenge, Litigation, Procedure, Sec. 1983

U.S. Fifth Circuit holds court can dismiss claims sua sponte when party has had ample opportunity to amend deficient pleadings

Anokwuru v. City of Houston, et al., No. 20-20295 (5th Cir. March 16, 2021) This is a racial discrimination/§1983 case where the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal. The Houston Police Department was investigating an
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Constitutional Challenge, Litigation, Official/Qualified Immunity, Sec. 1983

U.S. Supreme Court holds officers “seized” suspect by shooting her even if the suspect was still able to flee and escape.

Torres v Madrid, et al., No. 19–292. (U.S. March 25, 2021) This is an excessive force/§1983 case where the U.S. Supreme Court held the proper inquiry into a “seizure” by excessive force (i.e. gunshots) is whether the challenged conduct objectively manifests an
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Constitutional Challenge, Discrimination, Employment Law, Litigation, Retaliation, Sec. 1983

U.S. Fifth Circuit holds former police officer failed to establish same-sex sexual harassment by supervisor even under recent Bostock decision

Brandy Newbury v City of Windcrest, Texas, 20-50067 (5th Cir. March 22, 2021) This is an employment discrimination case where the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the granting of the City’s motion for summary judgment. Brandy Newbury was a police
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Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Elections, Injunction, Litigation, Preemption, Sovereign Immunity

San Antonio Court of Appeals holds City’s “Paid Sick Leave” ordinance was preempted by state law

Washington et al. v. Associated Builders & Contractors of South Texas, Inc., et al., 04-20-00004-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio, March 10, 2021). In this case, the Fourth Court of Appeals considered the legality of San Antonio’s paid sick leave (PSL) ordinance. The Court
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