Texas Supreme Court To Hear Oral Arguments  In Two Important Cases

 

(Longview, Texas) - On February 16, 2017, LeTourneau University is hosting the Supreme Court of Texas for oral arguments in two cases from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in the Belcher Center at LETU's main campus located at 2100 S. Mobberly Ave. in Longview.

The first case scheduled for argument is an inheritance rights case out of the Court of Appeals for the Seventh District of Texas at Amarillo, Texas: Virginia O. Kinsel v. Jane O. Lindsey and Keith Branyon and Jackson Walker LLP.  The main issue in this case is whether Texas law recognizes tortious interference with inheritance rights.

 

The Kinsel case should be particularly interesting because of the lawyers expected to argue the case.  The Kinsels are represented by Craig T. Enoch, a former Texas Supreme Court Justice, who is now a partner with Enoch Kever, PLLC in Austin, Texas.  Jane Lindsey is represented by William L. Kirkman in Ft. Worth, Texas.  Keith Branyon and Jackson Walker LLP are represented by John H. Cayce, the former Chief Justice of Texas' Second Court of Appeals, who also sat twice as a Justice on the Supreme Court of Texas by appointment of Governors Bush and Perry and held various statewide leadership positions within the judiciary.  In addition, Wallace B. Jefferson, former Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, also represents Keith Branyon and Jackson Walker LLP as their appellate counsel.

 

It is anticipated that Justice Enoch will handle the oral argument for the Kinsels, and Justice Wallace will handle the oral argument for Mr. Branyon and Jackson Walker, LLP.  This should make for an intriguing oral argument, in that two former Texas Supreme Court justices will argue before some of their former colleagues.

 

"Gregg County is honored and privileged to have the Texas Supreme Court hear oral arguments in two cases in Longview," said Kent Phillips, a local Longview attorney.  "Not only will the subject matter of the cases be interesting, but also watching Justice Enoch and Justice Wallace argue a case against one another will be a rare and special occasion," he said.

The second case scheduled for oral argument is a medical malpractice and government immunity case out of Houston's First Court of Appeals: Leah Anne Gonski Marino, M.D. v. Shirley Lenoir.  Dr. Marino is represented by John Strawn, Jr. and Andrew Pickens of Strawn Pickens, LLP in Houston, Texas.  Ms. Lenoir is represented by Joseph M. Gourrier of Houston, Texas.

 

The Gregg County Bar Association encourages people to attend to watch this historic visit from the Texas Supreme Court, said Mrs. Jessica LaRue, President of the  Gregg County Bar Association

Following the oral arguments, Justices will hold breakout sessions from 1:30 to 3 p.m., on the LETU campus for students and at the Gregg County Courthouse for attorneys and other legal professionals.  Justice Jeffrey S. Boyd, an ordained minister, also will conduct a public afternoon session on "God, the Courts and the Law" in the Belcher Center.  Justice Don Willett will lead a session for college students, and Justice John Devine will lead a session for high school students.

Lawyers will be eligible for 2.5 hours of continuing legal-education credit for attending the oral arguments and the question-and-answer session with the Court.  Each of seven afternoon breakout sessions at the Gregg County Courthouse will offer 1.5 hours of CLE credit.

A schedule of events and descriptions of breakout sessions is available on the Gregg County Bar Association web page, www.greggcountybar.com<http://www.greggcountybar.com/>.

The Gregg County Bar Association (GCBA) is a voluntary professional organization of attorneys practicing in the Gregg County area. GCBA is committed to serving our members, our local community and improving the legal profession.

 

The GCBA provides opportunities to local attorneys for continuing legal education credits, networking, advocacy and service to the community. The GCBA also provides annual scholarships to local seniors and participates in a number of community events.