October 7, 2020 in Case Summaries

Levinger PC persuaded the Dallas Court of Appeals to grant the petition for writ of mandamus filed by its client, Equinor Texas Onshore Properties, in a venue dispute with a royalty interest owner that the Court described as “unique” and “complex.”  The royalty owner originally filed separate suits in LaSalle County against Equinor and a previous lessor, Repsol Oil & Gas.  After Repsol agreed to transfer venue of its case to Dallas County, the royalty owner joined Equinor and persuaded the trial court to deny Equinor’s plea in abatement in favor of the still-pending LaSalle County suits.  The Dallas Court of Appeals granted mandamus relief, holding that the LaSalle County court had dominant jurisdiction and that the Dallas County suit against Repsol did not “relate back” to the transferred suit so as to make it the “first-filed” suit.  In re Equinor Texas Onshore Properties, No. 05-20-00578-CV, 2020 WL 5939034 (Tex. App.—Dallas Oct. 7, 2020, pet. denied) (mem. op.).

Courts:  Texas Intermediate Courts; Texas Supreme Court

Subject Matter:  Oil & Gas/Real Estate; Procedural & Evidentiary Issues