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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. 07-03-0307-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 14, 2005

Mabel Walter Rogers, Larry Frank Walter, Co-Trustee, Robert Wayne Veigel, Co-Trustee, Dorothy Ann Veigel Oswald and Jo Ann Veigel Eudy v. in Re: Ardella Veigel Inter Vivos Trust No. 2, Amarillo National Bank, Amarillo, Texas, Co-Trustee

This case involves an appeal from a summary judgment in favor of Amarillo National Bank (ANB) concerning various estates, trusts, and management agreements. The primary appellant, Robert Wayne Veigel (R.W.), contended that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment based on the statute of limitations, preventing him from pursuing counterclaims and requesting an accounting. R.W. argued that interests bequeathed by Charles R. Veigel were life estates, not trust interests, and challenged ANB's trustee fees and the lack of an accounting. The appellate court modified the summary judgment to declare that Charles Veigel's will granted life estates free of trust but affirmed the summary judgment regarding the statute of limitations barring R.W.'s claims for disgorgement of fees, accounting, and damages.

Trust LawLife EstatesStatute of LimitationsSummary JudgmentFiduciary DutyAccountingInter Vivos TrustTestamentary TrustProperty CodeCivil Practice and Remedies Code
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Lee C. Ritchie v. Ann Caldwell Rupe, as Trustee for the Dallas Gordon Rupe, III 1995 Family Trust

This case involves Ann Rupe, a minority shareholder and trustee for Buddy's Trust, who sued other shareholders and directors of Rupe Investment Corporation (RIC) for alleged oppressive actions and breach of fiduciary duties. Rupe claimed the defendants refused to buy her shares or meet with prospective outside buyers. The trial court ordered a $7.3 million buyout, which the court of appeals affirmed in part, finding the refusal to meet prospective purchasers oppressive, but remanding on valuation. The Texas Supreme Court reversed, ruling that the defendants' conduct was not 'oppressive' under the Texas receivership statute, as it did not involve an abuse of authority with intent to harm the corporation or create a serious risk of harm to it. The Court clarified that the statute only authorizes the appointment of a rehabilitative receiver and does not permit a direct buyout remedy. Additionally, the Court declined to recognize a new common-law cause of action for 'minority shareholder oppression,' citing existing statutory and common-law protections. The case was remanded to the court of appeals to consider Rupe's breach-of-fiduciary-duty claim and the potential for a buyout remedy under that claim.

Shareholder OppressionMinority ShareholdersClosely Held CorporationsFiduciary DutyBusiness Judgment RuleCorporate ReceivershipStatutory InterpretationCommon Law ClaimsCorporate GovernanceStock Buyout
References
95
Case No. 04-14-00657-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 14, 2015

Richard Leshin, Successor Trustee of the Davila Family Trust, Trust A v. Juan Gerardo Oliva, Rosina Oliva, Individually and as Successor Trustee of the Davila Family Trusts B, C, and D, and Alma Guadalupe Davila

A party who seeks to vacate an arbitration award bears the burden in the trial court of bringing forth a complete record that establishes its basis for vacating the award. Leshin has completely failed to carry his burden because he has come forth only with a partial record. Leshin has not brought forth a record showing that he was not brought into arbitration in a manner that would render him individually liable. For this reason alone, the trial court was correct in confirming the arbitrator’s award. In any case, the matters in the record clearly establish that the arbitrator was well within his power to determine that Leshin was individually liable for his wrongful acts. The AAA Commercial Rules of Arbitration, which apply to this matter, provide that the arbitrator had the power to rule on his own jurisdiction, 'including any objections with respect to the . . . scope . . . of the arbitration agreement or to the arbitrability of any claim or counterclaim.' Finally, the Texas Trust Code is clear that a trustee is always individually liable for his wrongful acts committed as trustee, so it was not necessary to sue Leshin in any particular capacity.

ArbitrationTrustee LiabilityTrust DisputeArbitration AwardAppellate ReviewJurisdictionArbitrabilityTexas LawCommercial Arbitration RulesDavila Family Trust
References
26
Case No. 02-11-00047-CV
Regular Panel Decision
May 03, 2012

Jim Chambers, Mary Ann Chambers, and Mark Weisbart, Chapter 7 Trustee v. First United Bank & Trust Company

Jim Chambers, Mary Ann Chambers, and Mark Weisbart, a Chapter 7 Trustee, appealed the trial court’s judgment concerning home equity loans from First United Bank & Trust Company. The appellants challenged the trial court’s directed verdict on their breach of fiduciary duty claim and the Bank’s foreclosure order, and further argued against the jury’s findings on damages and the 2004 loan payoff amount, as well as the award of attorney’s fees to the Bank. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, concluding that no informal fiduciary duty existed, the Bank properly secured an order of foreclosure, and the jury’s determinations on damages and loan payoff were supported by sufficient evidence. The court also found the award of attorney's fees to the Bank to be equitable and just under the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act.

Home Equity LoanForeclosureBreach of Fiduciary DutyDirected VerdictAppellate ReviewLegal SufficiencyFactual SufficiencyDamagesAttorney's FeesUniform Declaratory Judgments Act
References
47
Case No. 03-27303
Regular Panel Decision
May 14, 2004

In Re Ambotiene

Richard J. McCord, as Chapter 7 trustee for Aldona Ambotiene, sought attorneys' fees and costs from Grand Street Realty, LLC and its counsel due to their obstruction of the Trustee's efforts to inspect the Debtor's assets. The Landlord repeatedly refused access to the premises, forcing the Trustee to file a motion to compel. The Court found that the Landlord and its counsel did not act in good faith and caused the Trustee to incur unnecessary expenses in fulfilling his statutory and fiduciary duties. Consequently, the Court granted the Trustee an award of $6,987 in attorneys' fees and $166.79 in costs, totaling $7,253.79, to be paid jointly and severally by the Landlord and its counsel.

Attorneys' FeesCosts AwardedChapter 7 BankruptcyTrustee DutiesCreditor ObstructionSanctionsBankruptcy Code Section 105Good Faith RequirementAsset InspectionFiduciary Duty
References
33
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Williams v. Hevi-Duty Electric Co.

The plaintiff, Williams, sued Hevi-Duty Electric Company and other state defendants for racial discrimination and retaliatory failure to hire under Title VII, § 1981, and § 1983. The court found that Hevi-Duty discriminated against Williams by manipulating its one-year application retention policy and through word-of-mouth recruitment, effectively excluding him due to his race and prior EEOC charge. The court entered judgment for Williams against Hevi-Duty, ordering hiring, back-pay, and attorney fees, and permanently enjoining further discrimination. Claims against the state defendants were dismissed due to sovereign immunity or lack of discriminatory conduct.

Employment DiscriminationRacial DiscriminationRetaliation (Employment)Title VIICivil Rights Act of 1964Civil Rights Act of 1866Disparate TreatmentHiring PracticesApplication PolicyWord-of-Mouth Recruitment
References
21
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 20, 1996

Trustees of the Health & Welfare & the Pension Funds of the Four Joint Boards v. Schlesinger Bros.

Plaintiffs, Trustees of the Health and Welfare and Pension Funds of the Four Joint Boards and Esther Maiese, filed an action against Schlesinger Brothers, Inc. and the International Leather Goods, Plastics, Novelty and Service Workers Union, alleging violations of ERISA and LMRA. Specifically, plaintiffs claimed that defendants breached ERISA's 'sole benefit rule' by diverting contributions from the FJBC Funds to the International's Funds. They also alleged that Schlesinger violated the collective bargaining agreement under LMRA. The court determined that Schlesinger did not act as a fiduciary under ERISA and that the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the LMRA claim against the employer. Similarly, the court found that the International union was not subject to fiduciary duties under ERISA when engaged in collective bargaining. Consequently, the court granted Schlesinger's motion to dismiss the entire complaint and the International's motion to dismiss the ERISA claim, leaving only the LMRA claim against the International viable.

ERISALMRAFiduciary DutyCollective Bargaining AgreementMotion to DismissPension FundsHealth and Welfare FundsUnionEmployer LiabilityStanding
References
31
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Geltzer v. Bedke (In re Mundo Latino Mkt. Inc.)

Robert L. Geltzer, the Chapter 7 Trustee of Mundo Latino Market Inc., filed an Amended Complaint against Kathryn L. Bedke, the Debtor's majority shareholder, director, and officer, alleging breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste, and negligence. Bedke moved to dismiss the complaint, citing protection under the business judgment rule and the Trustee's failure to join necessary parties. The Court dismissed the claims against Bedke in her capacity as a shareholder and vice president, and also dismissed the claims for corporate waste and negligence as duplicative. However, the motion to dismiss the breach of fiduciary duty claim against Bedke as a director was denied, based on allegations of her failure to supervise the corporation's operations and employees. The Court also denied Bedke's motion to dismiss for failure to join Kathryn N. Holler and Giovanni Rodriguez as necessary parties.

Bankruptcy LawBreach of Fiduciary DutyCorporate GovernanceMotion to DismissDirector LiabilityCorporate WasteNegligenceBusiness Judgment RuleShareholder Fiduciary DutyOfficer Fiduciary Duty
References
52
Case No. 09-06-106 CV
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 22, 2007

John K. Harrison Holdings, LLC v. Richard M. Strauss, Trustee A/K/A R.M. Strauss, Trustee and James Winkler, Trustee

This case concerns competing ownership claims over a Montgomery County real estate lot following a tax sale. Appellant John K. Harrison Holdings, LLC challenged the 1996 tax sale, arguing its invalidity due to alleged procedural defects and unconstitutionality of relevant Texas Tax Code provisions. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's judgment, finding that Harrison failed to comply with Tax Code limitations for challenging tax sales, specifically regarding timely filing and the deposit requirement. The court also clarified that failure to join all parties in a tax lien foreclosure does not void the judgment against those named. Consequently, Harrison's claims were barred, and the original tax sale was upheld.

Real Estate LawTax SalesProperty Ownership DisputesConstitutional LawStatutes of LimitationsTexas Tax CodeDue ProcessNotice RequirementsTax Lien ForeclosureAppellate Review
References
11
Case No. 04-13-00201-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 29, 2014

Bank of America, N.A. as Trustee of Bettye Baker Brown Trust, U/w, F/B/O William David Deiss, Bettye Baker Brown Trust U/w, F/B/O Diane Elizabeth Mysliweic, Bettye Baker Brown Trust U/W/, F/B/O Paula Jane Roberts, Dorothy Baker Shaw 1966 Trust, Baker E. v. Prize Energy Resources, L.P., Prize Operating Company, Gruy Petroleum Management Company N/K/A Cimarex Energy Co. of Colorado, Magnum Hunter Resources, Inc., Cimarex Energy Co., Hunter Gas Gathering, Inc., Pat R. Rutherford Jr., Michael G. Rutherford, Rut

This case, heard by the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, Texas, addresses a dispute over the termination of an oil, gas, and mineral lease and a joint operating agreement (JOA) in McMullen County. Appellants, led by Bank of America as trustee, contested a trial court's summary judgment in favor of Appellees, Prize Energy Resources, concerning the alleged fraudulent inducement of a ratification agreement. The core issues involved the Bank's claims of waiver, ratification, quasi-estoppel, and adverse possession, all stemming from the belief that the Baker Lease terminated due to a cessation of production. The appellate court found genuine issues of material fact regarding the Bank's knowledge of fraud and its intent to waive its claims, as well as the applicability of quasi-estoppel and adverse possession. Consequently, the trial court's grant of summary judgment was reversed, and the case was remanded for further proceedings.

Oil and gas leaseJoint operating agreementMineral interestsLease terminationFraudulent inducementRatificationWaiverQuasi-estoppelAdverse possessionSummary judgment
References
55
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