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Table of Contents

Chapter 1                    Taking the Case

Chapter 2                    Presuit Activities

Chapter 3                    Statutes of Limitations

Chapters 4-5               Reserved

Chapter 6                    Parties

Chapter 7                    Subject Matter Jurisdiction of Texas Trial Courts

Chapter 8                    Personal Jurisdiction

Chapter 9                    Forum Selection: Venue, Forum Non Conveniens, and Removal

Chapter 10                  Citation and Service of Process

Chapters 11-13           Reserved

Chapter 14                  Pleadings

Chapter 15                  Attacking the Pleadings

Chapter 16                  Motion Practice

Chapter 17                  Temporary Restraining Orders and Temporary Injunctions

Chapter 18                  Interlocutory Appeals and Mandamus Proceedings

Chapter 19                  Pretrial Extraordinary Remedies

Chapters 20-23           Reserved

Chapter 24                  All Discovery

Chapter 25                  Privileges

Chapter 26                  Requests for Disclosure

Chapter 27                  Inspection of Documents and Other Things

Chapter 28                  Depositions

Chapter 29                  Physical and Mental Examinations

Chapter 30                  Interrogatories

Chapter 31                  Requests for Admission

Chapter 32                  Discovery Disputes

Chapters 33-35           Reserved

Chapter 36                  Summary Judgment

Chapter 37                  Default Judgment and Dismissals

Chapter 38                  Settlement and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Tables

Index

EXPANDED TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 TAKING THE CASE

I. Initial Client Contact

II. Case Assessment and Valuation

     A. Weigh Costs and Benefits

     B. Evaluate Client

     C. Consider Ethical Factors (State Bar Rules)

1. State Bar Rules Govern

2. Is There a Conflict of Interest?

     D. Evaluate Fee Sources

III. After Assessment and Valuation

     A. Initial Steps

     B. Prepare for Case Conference

     C. Consider Fee and Cost Arrangements

1. Preliminary Considerations

2. Factors in Selecting Fee Arrangement

3. Time-Based (Hourly-Rate) Billing

4. Contingency Fees

5. Retainers

6. Other Fee Arrangements

7. Costs and Expenses

     D. Prepare to Formalize Attorney-Client Relationship

1. Preliminary Considerations

2. Ethical (State Bar Rules) Guidelines and Requirements

3. Draft Proposed Engagement Contract

                     a. In All Cases

                     b. In Hourly-Rate Billing Arrangements

                     c. In Contingency-Fee Arrangements

                     d. In Other Arrangements

IV. Case Conference

     A. Overview

     B. Information to Obtain

     C. Information to Convey

V. Taking Over From Prior Counsel

CHAPTER 2 PRESUIT ACTIVITIES

I. Investigation

     A. Preliminary Considerations

     B. Methods and Sources for Investigation

1. Preliminary Considerations

2. Witnesses

3. Documents

4. Experts

5. Other Sources of Information

     C. Protecting the Results of Your Investigation

II. Litigation Planning

     A. Pre-Filing Resolution

1. Negotiation

2. Alternative Dispute Resolution

     B. Plaintiff’s Considerations

1. Legal Research

2. Parties

3. Causes of Action

4. When to File

5. Where to File

                     a. Personal Jurisdiction

                     b. State or Federal Court?

                     c. State Subject Matter Jurisdiction

     C. Defendant’s Considerations

III. Presuit Communications, Notices, and Demands

     A. Communicating With the Opposition

     B. Presuit Notice Requirements

     C. Other Presuit Requirements

     D. Insurance Coverage Issues

     E. Fee Issues

CHAPTER 3 STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS

I. Overview

     A. General Points

     B. Sources of Law

     C. Notice of Claim Requirements

     D. Laches

II. When Limitations Period Begins: Accrual

     A. General Points

     B. Continuing Torts

     C. Written Acknowledgment

III. When Limitations Period Expires: Filing

     A. General Points

     B. Effect of Errors in Parties

     C. Relation-Back Rule

1. Counterclaims and Cross-claims

2. Amended Pleadings

3. Added, Omitted and Substituted Parties

     D. Effect of Service After Limitations Deadline

IV. Determining Applicable Limitations Period

     A. Contract Actions

1. Contractual Limitations Agreements

2. Specific Contract Claims

3. Real Estate Contracts

     B. Torts

1. Intentional Torts

                     a. Injury to Persons

                     b. Injury to Property

2. Negligence

3. Premises and Product Liability

4. Business and Commercial Claims

5. Defamation and Malicious Prosecution

6. Fraud and Related Claims

7. Claims Governed by Federal Limitations

     C. Health Care Negligence Claims (Medical Malpractice)

1. Two Years From Accrual

2. Time of Accrual

3. Extension by Notice of Claim

4. Discovery Rule and Fraudulent Concealment

5. Other Tolling Provisions

     D. Other Professional Negligence Claims

1. Attorneys (Legal Malpractice)

2. Accountants and Auditors

3. Engineers

     E. Negotiable Instruments

     F. Adverse Possession

     G. Family Code Actions

     H. Claims by or Against Governmental Entities

     I. Derivative Claims

     J. Other Actions

V. Fraudulent Concealment and the Discovery Rule

     A. Fraud and Fraudulent Concealment

1. Application and Effect

2. What Constitutes Fraudulent Concealment

3. Duty to Disclose

     B. Discovery Rule

1. Application and Effect

2. Qualifying Injuries

3. End of Suspension

4. Application to Specific Causes of Action

VI. Tolling and Extension Rules

     A. General Points

     B. Defendant’s Absence From State

     C. Minority and Unsoundness of Mind

1. General Points

2. Minority

3. Unsound Mind

     D. Death

     E. Filing in Court Without Jurisdiction

     F. Extension by Agreement

     G. Other Tolling Provisions

     H. Tolls in Federal Statutes

VII. Statutes of Repose

     A. General Points

     B. Architects, Engineers, and Designers

     C. Builders and Repairers

     D. Surveyors

     E. Manufacturers and Sellers of Products

     F. Others

VIII. Constitutional Issues

     A. Open Courts

     B. Retroactive Application of Amendments

[Chapters 4 and 5 Reserved]

CHAPTER 6 PARTIES

I. General Concepts

II. Capacity to Sue or Be Sued

     A. Preliminary Considerations

     B. Minors and the Mentally Incompetent

1. Nature of Legal Disability

2. Representatives for Persons Under Legal Disabilities

3. Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem

4. Discharge of Guardian Ad Litem

5. Duties of Guardian Ad Litem

6. Liability of Guardian Ad Litem

7. Fees

8. Settlement Hearing

9. Distribution of Proceeds for Minors and Incapacitated Persons

10. Minor’s Negligence

11. Testimony by Minor or Incapacitated Person

     C. Other Individuals

1. Indigents

2. Inmates

3. Pro Se Parties

     D. Corporations

1. Basic Legal Provisions

2. Corporation in default on Franchise Taxes

3. Dissolved Corporation

4. Sold or Merged Corporation

5. Foreign Corporation Without Authorization

     E. Partners and Partnerships

     F. Limited Partnerships

     G. Estates and Trusts

     H. Other Entities

     I. Misnamed Parties

     J. Challenging Capacity

III. Standing to Sue

     A. General Concepts

     B. Actions in Which Standing May Be an Issue

     C. Challenging Standing

IV. Substitution

     A. Assumed Names

     B. Death

     C. Other Substitutions

V. Joinder

     A. Adding Parties to a Lawsuit

1. Methods of Adding Parties

2. Alternatives to Joinder

3. Advantages of Joining Parties

4. Disadvantages of Joining Parties

     B. Permissive Joinder

1. Requirements for Permissive Joinder

2. Proper Permissive Parties

     C. Necessary and Indispensable Parties

1. Basic Concepts

2. Necessary Parties: TRCP 39(a)

3. Parties Made Necessary by Statute

4. Indispensable Parties: TRCP 39(b)

     D. Impleader

1. Nature and Purpose

2. Responses to Impleader

3. Improper Impleader Parties

     E. Mass Torts

     F. Procedures

1. Methods of Joining Parties

2. When Leave of Court Required

3. Time for Joinder

4. Venue

     G. Objecting to Absence of Parties

     H. Objecting to Joinder: Motions to Strike or Sever

1. Motion to Strike

2. Motion to Sever

                     a. Purpose and Effect

                     b. Grounds

                     c. Objections to Severance

                     d. Procedure

                     e. Appeals

VI. Interpleader

     A. Preliminary Considerations

     B. Requirements

     C. Pleading and Proving Interpleader

1. Filing and Pleadings

2. Response by Rival Claimants

3. Discharge of Stakeholder

4. Attorney Fees

     D. Proceedings After Discharge

     E. Federal Interpleader Actions

VII. Intervention

     A. Nature and Purposes

     B. Grounds

     C. Procedure

     D. Venue

1. General Rules

2. When Intervening Plaintiff Lacks Proper Venue

3. Hearing; Appeal

     E. Challenging Intervention

     F. Hearing

     G. Appeal

     H. Post-Intervention Developments

VIII. Class Actions

     A. Nature and Purpose

     B. Advantages and Disadvantages of Class Actions

     C. Requirements for Class Actions

1. In General

2. Prerequisites for All Class Actions

3. Types of Class Actions Maintainable

4. Predominance and Superiority [TRCP 42(b)(3)]

5. Is a Class Action Superior to Other Available Methods? [TRCP 42(b)(4)]

     D. Filing and Pleading Class Actions

     E. Class Certification

1. Pre-Certification Proceedings

2. The Certification Motion

3. The Certification Hearing

4. The Certification Order

5. Notice to Class

6. Interlocutory Appeal

7. Post-Certification Developments

8. Trial

     F. Final Disposition

1. Settlement

2. Final Judgment

     G. Shareholder Derivative Actions

1. In General

2. Pleading Requirements

3. Other Requirements

4. Procedure

CHAPTER 7 SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF TEXAS TRIAL COURTS

I. Overview

     A. General Points

1. Scope of Chapter

2. Related Concepts

3. Raising Lack of Jurisdiction

     B. Strategic Considerations

II. District Courts

III. County-Level Courts

     A. Constitutional County Courts

     B. Statutory County Courts

IV. Justice Courts, Small Claims Courts and Municipal Courts

     A. Justice Courts

     B. Small Claims Courts

     C. Municipal Courts

V. Probate Jurisdiction

VI. Amount in Controversy

     A. General Points

     B. Aggregation of Claims

     C. Pleading Amendments

     D. Inclusions and Exclusions

     E. Judgment

V. Substitute Judges

     A. Active Judges

     B. Assigned Judges

 CHAPTER 8 PERSONAL JURISDICTION

I. General Points

     A. Overview

     B. Related Concepts

II. Federal Due-Process Limits

     A. General Points

     B. Minimum Contacts

1. General Points

2. Purposeful Availment

3. General and Specific Jurisdiction

     C. Fair Play and Substantial Justice

1. General Points

2. Burden Analysis

3. Interest of Texas

4. Convenience and Efficiency

5. Social Policy

III. Jurisdiction Based on Presence

     A. General Points

     B. Individuals

1. Texas Residents

2. Nonresident in Texas When Served

3. Nonresident Doing Business in Texas

     C. Corporations

IV. Jurisdiction Based on Consent

     A. Contractual Consent

     B. Waiver by Appearance

1. General Points

2. What Constitutes a General Appearance

3. Filing Pleadings and Motions

4. Participating in Discovery

5. Seeking Ruling From Court

6. Other Actions Not Constituting Waiver

     C. Registered Agents and Authorization to Do Business

V. Long-Arm Jurisdiction Over Nonresidents

     A. General Points

     B. Doing Business in Texas

     C. Contracts

1. General Points

2. Specific Texas Contacts

3. Specific Contracts and Clauses

     D. Professional Services

1. What Subjects Professional to Jurisdiction

2. What Subjects Client to Jurisdiction

     E. Torts

1. General Points

2. Specific Torts

     F. Stream of Commerce Doctrine

     G. Real and Personal Property Ownership or Use

     H. Agents, Affiliates, Alter Egos, and Parties in Privity

     I. Family Law Cases

VI. In Rem and Quasi in Rem Jurisdiction

VII. Pleading and Challenging Jurisdiction

     A. Plaintiff’s Petition

     B. Defendant’s Special Appearance

     C. Response to Special Appearance

     D. Discovery

     E. Hearing

1. Timing and Type

2. Burden of Proof

3. Merits of Suit

4. Forms of Evidence

     F. Disposition

     G. Appeal

     H. Challenging Foreign Judgments for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction

CHAPTER 9 FORUM SELECTION: VENUE, FORUM NON CONVENIENS, AND REMOVAL

I. Overview

     A. General Points

     B. Significance of Venue

II. Determining Venue

     A. General Points

     B. Mandatory Venue

1. Land

2. Government Entities

3. Injunctions and Prior Litigation

4. Other Mandatory Venue Statutes

5. Forum Selection Clauses

     C. Permissive Venue

1. Individual Defendant’s Residence

2. Entity Defendant’s Principal Office

3. Where Events or Omissions Occurred

                     a. General Points

                     b. Examples of Specific Claims (under pre-1995 law)

4. Plaintiff’s Residence

5. Other Permissive Venue Statutes

     D. Venue in Multi-Party and Multi-Claim Cases

1. General Points

2. Multiple Plaintiffs

3. Multiple Defendants

4. Multiple Claims

5. Dismissed and Added Parties and Claims

     E. Establishing Venue by Waiver

III. Selecting and Pleading Venue

     A. Selecting

     B. Pleading Techniques

IV. Challenging Improper Venue

     A. General Points

     B. Who Can Challenge

     C. Whether to Challenge

     D. How to Challenge

     E. Opposing Challenge

     F. Reply to Opposition

     G. Hearing and Evidence

     H. Disposition

1. Ruling on Merits

2. Motion Granted

3. Further Proceedings

     I. Appeal

V. Transfer From Proper Venue

     A. General Points

     B. For Convenience and Interests of Justice

     C. For Impartial Trial

     D. For Coordinated Pretrial Proceedings

VI. Dismissal From Proper Venue (Forum non Conveniens)

     A. General Points

     B. Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Actions

1. Standards

2. Bringing Motion

3. Hearing and Appeal

     C. Child Custody Actions

     D. Common Law Forum non Conveniens

     E. Contractual Forum non Conveniens

1. In General

2. Defenses

3. Procedure

VII. Choosing Between Federal and State Court

     A. Plaintiff’s Initial Choice

1. Subject Matter Jurisdiction

2. Strategic Considerations

                     a. General Points

                     b. Territorial Jurisdiction, Venue, and Applicable Law

                     c. Procedure and Evidence

                     d. Discovery

                     e. Judges and Juries

     B. Removal to Federal Court

1. Strategic Considerations

2. Grounds for Removal

                     a. Federal Question

                     b. Diversity

                     c. Specific Removable and Nonremovable Actions

3. Deadline for Removal

                     a. Removal Based on Initial Pleading

                     b. Removal Based on Subsequent Developments

4. Removal Procedures

                     a. Notice of Removal

                     b. Who May Remove

                     c. Consent of Other Defendants

     C. Remand to State Court

1. Grounds for Remand

                     a. Initial Grounds

                     b. Grounds for Remand Arising After Removal

2. Deadline for Remand

3. Procedures for Remand

                     a. Motion to Remand

                     b. Hearing and Disposition

                     c. Review

                     d. Costs and Attorney’s Fees

CHAPTER 10 CITATION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS

I. Overview

     A. General Points

     B. Methods of Service

     C. Documents Included

     D. Time for Service

II. Whom to Serve

     A. Individuals

     B. Corporations

     C. Insurance Companies

     D. Estate and Trusts

     E. Unincorporated Entities

     F. Governmental Entities

III. Standard Service

     A. Personal Delivery

     B. Certified or Registered Mail

IV. Substituted Service per Rule 106(b)

     A. Prerequisites

     B. Permissible Means

     C. Procedure

V. Substituted Service on Statutory Agents

     A. General Points

     B. Service on Secretary of State

1. On Nonresidents Under Long-Arm Statute

2. On Corporations Under Business Corporations Act

3. On Limited Partnerships Under RLPA

4. On Limited Liability Companies

5. Procedure

     C. Service on Transportation Commission Chair

     D. Service on Commissioner of Insurance

VI. Substituted Service on Business Agents

     A. Service on Person in Charge of Business

     B. Service on Employee or Agent

     C. Service on Agent of Unauthorized Insurer

VII. Service by Publication

     A. Who Can Be Served by Publication

     B. Prerequisites

     C. Procedure

VIII. Pleading Service Facts

     A. General Points

     B. Service on Employees or Registered Agents

     C. Service on Statutory Officials

IX. Who May Serve Process

X. The Citation

     A. Preparation

     B. Requirements

XI. Return of Service

     A. General Points

     B. Successful Service

1. General Points

2. Timing

3. Where Service Occurred

4. Who Was Served

5. Capacity of Person Served

6. How Process Was Served

7. What Was Served

8. Server’s Signature, Authority, and Verification

     C. Unsuccessful Service

     D. Return of Service by Certified Mail

     E. Return of Substituted Service per Rule 106(b)

     F. Return of Service on Statutory Agents

1. General Points

2. Certificate of Service From Statutory Agent

3. Return Receipt to Statutory Agent

     G. Return of Service by Publication

XII. Amending Citation and Return of Service

     A. Grounds

     B. Procedure

XIII. Waiver of Service

     A. Written Waiver

     B. Waiver by General Appearance

XIV. Challenging Citation and Service

     A. General Points

     B. Motion to Quash

     C. Motion for New Trial

1. Time Limits

2. Defendant’s Burden and Evidence to Meet It

3. Preserving Issue for Appeal

     D. Direct Appeal

     E. Restricted Appeal

     F. Bill of Review

1. Procedure

2. Defendant’s Burden and Evidence to Meet It

3. Appeal

[Chapters 11 through 13 Reserved]

CHAPTER 14 PLEADINGS

I. All Pleadings

     A. Basic Points

     B. Judicial Admissions in Pleading

     C. Format

     D. Statements Adopted by Reference

     E. Verification

     F. Exhibits

     G. Sanctions for Frivolous Pleading

1. Basic Points

2. Under TRCP 13

3. Under CPRC Chapter 9

4. Under CPRC Chapter 10

II. The Petition

     A. Filing to Commence Suit

     B. Drafting Steps and Strategies

1. Initial Steps

2. Styles and Goals of Petition

     C. Building Blocks of Petition

1. Basic Points

2. The Prayer

     D. Pleading Causes of Action

1. Basic Points

2. “Fair Notice” of Claims

     E. Joinder of Claims and Elections of Remedies

1. Joinder of Claims

                     a. Permissive Joinder

                     b. Compulsory Joinder

                                 i. All Claims

                                 ii. Counterclaims

2. Election of Remedies

     F. Alleging Particular Matters

1. Discovery Control Plan Level

2. Party-Related Matters

3. Subject Matter Jurisdiction

4. Other Matters

III. Before Answering

IV. The Answer

     A. Basic Points

     B. General Denial

     C. Special Denials

1. Matters Defendant Must Verify

                     a. Basic Points

                     b. Specific Matters to Be Verified

2. Other Matters Specially Pleaded

     D. Affirmative Defenses

1. Basic Points

2. Particular Defenses

                     a. Listed Under TRCP 94

                     b. Other Affirmative Defenses

     E. Special Exceptions

     F. Pleas in Abatement

V. Counterclaims and Cross-Claims

     A. Counterclaims

1. Basic Points

2. Compulsory Counterclaims

                     a. Basic Points

                     b. Same Transaction or Occurrence

3. Permissive Counterclaims

     B. Cross-Claims

1. Basic Points

2. Procedure

     C. Response

VI. Amended and Supplemental Pleadings

     A. Amended Pleadings

1. Basic Points

2. Effects of Amendment

3. Amending to Avoid Dismissal

4. Leave Not Required (at Least Seven Days Before Trial)

5. Leave Required (Less Than Seven Days Before Trial)

6. Challenge to Amendment

     B. Supplemental Pleadings

CHAPTER 15 ATTACKING THE PLEADINGS

I. Special Exceptions

     A. Nature and Purpose

     B. Compared With Other Pretrial Pleadings

1. Demurrer

2. Other Motions

     C. Tactical Considerations

     D. Advantages

     E. Disadvantages

     F. Types of Pleading Defects Subject to Special Exceptions

     G. Effect of Failure to Challenge Pleading Defects

1. Under TRCP 90, 91

2. Under Waivers Concerning Trial Objections

     H. Procedure

1. Part of Defensive Pleadings

2. Hearing

3. Ruling

4. Review of Ruling

II. Plea to the Jurisdiction

     A. Nature and Purpose

     B. Compared With Other Pretrial

     C. Procedure

     D. Grounds

III. Plea in Abatement

     A. Nature and Purpose

     B. Grounds

1. Action Pending in Another Court

                     a. Proceedings in Texas Courts

                     b. Other Proceedings

2. Defects in the Pleadings

                     a. Parties

                                 i. Lack of Capacity

                                 ii. Failure to Join Parties

                     b. Allegations

     C. Procedure

1. The Plea

2. Response

3. Hearing

4. Order

5. Review

CHAPTER 16 MOTION PRACTICE

I. Overview