Jurisdiction

Texas 8th Court of Appeals, Civil Procedure, Jurisdiction, Tax

Gonzalez v. City of El Paso — Texas Residents Cannot Use Special Appearance to Contest Defective Service; Misspelled Name Is a Curable Process Defect

automatic / June 12, 2026

The Eighth Court of Appeals held that Texas residents cannot file a special appearance under Rule 120a to contest defective service of process, because Texas courts have presumptive personal jurisdiction over all Texas residents. A misspelled name in a citation is a curable service defect, not a jurisdictional flaw, properly raised by a motion to quash — not a special appearance that risks constituting a general appearance.

Business Transactions, Civil Procedure, Jurisdiction

Freedom Westwood v. Flagship Capital — First Court Holds Forum-Selection Clause Cannot Bind Non-Signatory LLC

automatic / June 7, 2026

The First Court of Appeals reversed the denial of a special appearance, holding that forum-selection clauses in LLC agreements could not bind a non-signatory entity through direct-benefits estoppel in a multi-layered ownership structure.

Civil Procedure, Family Law, Jurisdiction

In the Interest of C.S. Jr. — Texas Supreme Court Enforces Automatic Dismissal Deadline in Parental-Termination Case

automatic / June 7, 2026

The Texas Supreme Court dismissed a parental-termination case for lack of jurisdiction after the trial court failed to enter a written extension order before the Family Code's automatic-dismissal deadline.