Vicki Ward v. Lamar University, Texas State University System and James Simmons
14-14-00097-CV
| Tex. App. | Jul 1, 2015Background
- Appellant Vicki Ward responds to appellees’ motion for rehearing in a Texas Declaratory Judgment Act action.
- Ward’s appeal challenged only the trial court’s dismissal of her free-speech claim under the Texas Constitution.
- The court’s reversal was broader than Ward sought, prompting argument to narrow the scope to free-speech dismissal.
- Ward contends her declaratory judgment claim is not moot because her attorneys’ fees claim remains a live controversy.
- Appellees rely on arguments about mootness and attempt to reframe Ward’s whistleblower claim.
- Appellees’ request for en banc review is unsupported by grounds for such relief.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope of reversal limited to free speech | Ward | Ward sought reversal only for free-speech dismissal | Reversal should be limited to free-speech issue |
| Mootness of attorneys’ fees claim | Ward | Fees claim moot if underlying relief mooted | Attorneys’ fees claim not moot; fee claim remains live |
| Appropriate focus of appellate briefing | Ward | Appellees reframe issues and rely on unasserted complaints | Court should not reexamine whistleblower claim on new grounds not raised |
| Basis for en banc review | Ward | En Banc reconsideration requested | En banc review denied; no basis shown |
Key Cases Cited
- MBM Fin. Corp. v. Woodlands Oper. Co., 292 S.W.3d 660 (Tex. 2009) (Declaratory judgment act fee awards; American Rule)
- Hansen v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, 346 S.W.3d 769 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2011, no pet.) (DJA fees may be awarded without prevailing party status)
- Camarena v. Tex. Employment Comm’n, 754 S.W.2d 149 (Tex. 1988) (Mootness exception for fee claims under DJA)
- Allstate Ins. Co. v. Hallman, 159 S.W.3d 640 (Tex. 2005) (Live controversy for attorneys’ fees despite moot substantive claims)
- Speer v. Presbyterian Children’s Home & Serv. Agency, 847 S.W.2d 227 (Tex. 1993) (Mootness and DJA; fees remain)
- Parsons v. City of El Paso, 353 S.W.3d 215 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2011, no pet.) (Totality of circumstances; retaliation evidence)
- Montgomery County v. Park, 246 S.W.3d 610 (Tex. 2007) (Motion standard adopted from Burlington Northern)