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No. 19-0400
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SAN JACINTO RIVER AUTHORITY v. VICENTE MEDINA, ASHLEY MEDINA & ARIS ANTONIOU

Oral argument was held on October 6, 2020. The Court issued an opinion resolving the case on April 16, 2021. It then denied rehearing on September 3, 2021 File Closed

Opinions

April 16, 2021

Devine
Hecht
Guzman
Lehrmann
Boyd
Busby
Bland
Huddle

Justice Devine delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Chief Justice Hecht, Justice Guzman, Justice Lehrmann, Justice Boyd, Justice Busby, Justice Bland, and Justice Huddle joined. PDF

Blacklock

Justice Blacklock delivered a dissenting opinion.View Electronic Briefs | Oral Argument PDF

 

Court of Appeals

Appellate District:1st Court of Appeals
Outcome Below:Affirmed
COA Docket No.:01-18-00407-CV
Opinion Author:Honorable Michael C. Massengale

Trial Court

Trial Court:151st District Court
County:Harris
Trial Judge:Honorable Michael C. Engelhart
Trial Docket:2018-10478

Docket Entries

Date Event Outcome  
2021-09-08 Case Stored  
2021-09-03 Mandate issued  
2021-09-03 Motion for Rehearing - Disposed Denied
2021-06-09 Amicus Curiae Brief received  
2021-06-04 Amicus Curiae Brief received  
2021-06-02 Case forwarded to Court
2021-06-02 Motion for Rehearing  
2021-05-12 Call received  
2021-04-28 Motion for Extension of Time to File Motion for Rehearing  
2021-04-28 Motion for Extension of Time to File Motion for Rehearing disposed   Filing granted
2021-04-16 Dissenting opinion issued.   Issued
2021-04-16 Opinion issued   Court of appeals' judgment affirmed
2021-04-16 Court approved judgment sent to attorneys of record Issued
2020-10-06 Oral argument  
2020-10-05 Exhibits in case/cause filed (Petitioner)  
2020-10-05 Exhibits in case/cause filed (Petitioner)  
2020-09-28 Submission Schedule
2020-09-28 Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received  
2020-09-25 Motion to Argue disposed   Filing granted
2020-09-17 Phone call from Clerk's Office  
2020-09-17 Motion to Argue filed  
2020-09-17 Letter sent to parties from Supreme Court - See Remarks  
2020-09-16 Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received  
2020-09-11 Motion to re-set submission date disposed   Denied
2020-09-01 Motion to re-set submission date filed.  
2020-08-26 Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received  
2020-08-25 Amicus Curiae Brief received  
2020-08-06 Call received  
2020-06-26 Case set for oral argument   Case set for oral argument
2020-06-05 Petition for Review granted
2020-06-05 Petition for Review disposed   Filing granted
2020-06-05 Supreme Court of Texas Orders Issued
2020-04-30 Reply Brief (Petitioner)  
2020-04-20 Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  
2020-04-20 Motion for Extension of Time disposed.   Filing granted
2020-04-08 Brief on the Merits (Respondent)  
2020-03-03 Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  
2020-03-03 Motion for Extension of Time disposed.   Filing granted
2020-02-18 Brief on the Merits (Petitioner)  
2020-01-22 Letter Filed  
2020-01-17 Brief on the Merits Requested  
2020-01-06 Reply to Response to Petition filed (Petitioner)  
2019-11-25 MET to file reply disposed of   Filing granted
2019-11-22 Motion to Extend Time to File Reply filed  
2019-11-13 Response to Petition (Respondent)  
2019-10-04 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response disposed   Filing granted
2019-10-04 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response  
2019-09-13 Supreme Court of Texas Requested Response  
2019-08-13 Case forwarded to Court
2019-08-09 Response Waiver filed  
2019-07-10 Petition for Review (Petitioner)  
2019-07-05 Cases consolidated by Supreme Court  
2019-07-05 Motion to Consolidate filed  
2019-07-05 Motion to Consolidate disposed   Filing granted
2019-06-04 Second Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review disposed   Filing granted
2019-06-04 Second Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review filed  
2019-06-03 Notice of Appearance  
2019-05-10 Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review filed  
2019-05-10 Supplement to Clerk's/Reporter's Record
2019-05-10 Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review disposed   Filing granted
2019-05-10 Clerk's Record

Parties

Party Counsel Role
San Jacinto River Authority
Mr. William S. Helfand
Mr. J. Mark Breeding
Mr. Cameron Phair Pope
Mr. Scott A. Brister
Mr. Frederick D. Junkin
Mr. Shane L. Kotlarsky
Petitioner
Wolf, Rodney M.
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Miles, Sherry K.
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Miller, Sally T.
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Daniel, Carolyn F.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Casey, Maureen S.
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Nowlin, Jack L.
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Freeman, John R.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Revel, Louise W.
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Argento, Charles J.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Casey, Charles A.
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Medina, Ashley
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Antoniou, Aris
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Faulkinberry, John
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Lange, Jennifer Wood
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Ryan, Bernard F.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Shepherd, Becky A.
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Burgess, Diane
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Daniel, John M.
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Napier, Junior, William J.
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Sumner, Todd R.
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Revel, James R.
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Buchan, Kristofer D
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Stegall, Dana M.
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Wherry, Charles H. F.
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Wolf, Nancy L.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Nowlin, Linda S.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Wherry, Diane S.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Miles, Robert C.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Shepherd, Barry L.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Faulkinberry, Laurie D.
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Stegall, Danny C.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Argento, Katherine
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Medina, Vicente
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Huseman, Kurt V.
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Ensley, Jeff
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Miller, David L.
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Lange, William E.
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Burgess, Brandon
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Sumner, Kimberly A.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Burney, Ginger R.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Freeman, Barbara
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Burney, Michael
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Ryan, Cecilia M.
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Huseman, Debbie L.
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Buchan, Melissa
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent
Ensley, Anne
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Daniel P. Barton
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Justin E. VandenBout
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Respondent
Medina, Vicente
Mr. Vincent L. Marable III
Mr. Dennis C. Reich
Justin E. VandenBout
Ms. Jennifer B. Rustay
Mr. Carl D. Kulhanek Jr.
Mr. W. Fred Hagans
Daniel P. Barton
Ms. Allison Haver Gabbert
Mr. William Fred Hagans
Mr. Carl David Kulhanek Jr.
Respondent

Amici Curiae

Amicus Curiae Counsel
Velasco Drainage District
Ms. Allison S. Killian
Mr. John J. Hightower
North Texas Municipal Water District
Ms. Allison S. Killian
Mr. John J. Hightower
Upper Trinity Regional Water District
Mr. John J. Hightower
Ms. Allison S. Killian
Gulf Coast Authority
Mr. John J. Hightower
Ms. Allison S. Killian
Galveston County Water Control and Improvement Distict No.1
Ms. Allison S. Killian
Mr. John J. Hightower
Texas Water Conservation Association
Ms. Jennifer Caughey
Mr. Leonard H. Dougal
Ms. Danica Lynn Milios
State of Texas
Mr. Kyle D. Hawkins
Atty. Gen. W. Kenneth Paxton Jr.
Mr. Ryan Lee Bangert
Mr. Jeffrey C. Mateer
Mr. Jason R. LaFond
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