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No. 23-0167
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THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY v. RITA OTEKA

Oral argument was held on February 20, 2025. The Court issued an opinion resolving the case on June 13, 2025. File Closed

Opinion

June 13, 2025

Devine
Lehrmann
Boyd
Blacklock
Busby
Bland
Huddle
Young
Sullivan

Justice Devine delivered the opinion of the Court.View Electronic Briefs | Oral Argument PDF

 

Court of Appeals

Appellate District:13th Court of Appeals
Outcome Below:Affirmed
COA Docket No.:13-22-00063-CV
Opinion Author:Honorable Nora L. Longoria

Trial Court

Trial Court:139th District Court
County:Hidalgo
Trial Judge:Honorable Jose Roberto Flores
Trial Docket:C-3375-20-C

Entries on SCOTX Orders Lists

Docket Entries

Date Event Outcome  
2025-07-24 Mandate issued  
2025-06-16 Amicus Curiae Brief received  
2025-06-13 Opinion issued   Court of appeals' judgment affirmed
2025-06-13 Court approved judgment sent to attorneys of record Issued
  This case was awaiting the Court's decision after oral argument between February 20, 2025 and June 13, 2025.  
2025-02-20 Oral argument  
2025-02-19 Exhibits in case/cause filed (Respondent)  
2025-02-19 Electronic communication sent to Party  
2025-02-07 Amicus Curiae Brief received  
2025-02-05 Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received  
2025-01-23 Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received  
2024-12-20 Petition for Review granted
2024-12-20 Petition for Review disposed Filing granted
2024-12-20 Case set for oral argument   Case set for oral argument
  This case was pending on merits briefs between August 27, 2024 and December 20, 2024.  
2024-08-27 Supplemental Letter Brief (Petitioner)  
2024-07-18 Supplemental Letter Brief (Petitioner)  
2024-06-28 Supplemental Brief filed (Respondent)  
2024-06-13 Amicus Curiae Brief received  
  This case was pending on merits briefs between April 16, 2024 and June 13, 2024.  
2024-04-16 Brief on the Merits (Petitioner)  
2024-04-01 Brief on the Merits (Respondent)  
2024-02-26 Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  
2024-02-26 Motion for Extension of Time disposed.   Filing granted
2024-01-25 Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  
2024-01-25 Motion for Extension of Time disposed.   Filing granted
2024-01-10 Brief on the Merits (Petitioner)  
2023-12-07 Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  
2023-12-07 Motion for Extension of Time disposed.   Filing granted
2023-11-21 Designation of Lead Counsel  
2023-11-10 Brief on the Merits Requested  
2023-10-19 Reply to Response (Petitioner)  
2023-10-06 Response to Petition (Respondent)  
2023-09-06 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response  
2023-09-06 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response disposed   Filing granted
2023-08-03 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response disposed   Filing granted
2023-08-03 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response  
2023-08-01 Notice from attorney regarding vacation dates  
2023-07-07 Supreme Court of Texas Requested Response  
2023-06-06 Case forwarded to Court
2023-05-30 Response Waiver filed  
2023-05-12 Petition for Review (Petitioner)  
2023-04-11 Call received  
2023-04-11 Second Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review disposed   Filing granted
2023-04-04 Electronic communication sent to Party  
2023-04-04 Second Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review filed  
2023-03-08 Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review disposed   Filing granted
2023-03-03 Court reporter/recorder's record
2023-03-03 Clerk's Record
2023-03-03 Electronic communication sent to Party  
2023-03-02 Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review filed  

Parties

Party Counsel Role
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The Honorable Samuel Dorfman
Ms. J Red Tripp
Ms. Chelsea L. Fullwood
Mr. Shawn Cowles
Mr. Brent Webster
Atty. Gen. W. Kenneth Paxton Jr.
Ms. Kara Lynne Kennedy
Petitioner
Oteka, Rita
Mr. David F. Freudiger
Mr. Theodore Joseph Messina III
Respondent

Amici Curiae

Amicus Curiae Counsel
Hirczy De Mino, PhD, Wolfgang P.
Mr. Wolfgang P. Hirczy De Mino PhD
McClellan, Brad
Mr. Bradley D. McClellan
Texas Mutual Insurance Company
Mr. James A. Hemphill
...
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