Connelly · Baker · Wotring LLP

The Firm has a wealth of appellate experience from its attorneys who have clerked for the Supreme Court of Texas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and other courts at the trial and appellate level. We also have experience in handling cases at the United States Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of Texas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and other appeals courts across Texas. Our appellate attorneys are involved throughout the case from drafting initial pleadings through the charge conference, in addition to handling the case on appeal. Our attorneys have handled litigation that changed the way disability law applies to the cruise industry and that have altered insurance coverage law in Texas. From handling cases that ended the negligent credentialing claim in medical malpractice cases to cases establishing that a defendant need not warn of open and obvious defects to sophisticated users, the Firm’s attorneys have established a vibrant, cutting-edge appellate practice.

Some of the reported decisions from cases handled by attorneys at the Firm include:

Spector v. Norwegian Cruise Line, Ltd., 125 S.Ct. 2169 (2005) (established that Americans with Disabilities Act applies to cruise ships).
King v. Dallas Fire Ins. Co., 85 S.W.3d 185 (Tex. 2002) (established that “occurrence” in an insurance policy is determined from the insured’s viewpoint).
Sauder Custom Fabrication, Inc. v. Boyd, 967 S.W.2d 349 (Tex. 1998) (established that defendant does not have to warn sophisticated users about open and obvious defects).
Peace v. American General Life Ins. Co., 462 F.3d. 437 (5th Cir. 2006) (won reversal of summary judgment in ERISA case).
SMI Realty Mgmt. Corp. v. Underwriters at Lloyd’s London, 179 S.W.3d 619 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, pet. denied) (won reversal of summary judgment in insurance-coverage case).
Nikolouzos v. St. Luke’s Episcopal Hosp., 162 S.W.3d 678 (Tex. App.—[14th Dist.], 2005, no pet.) (won dismissal of appeal of temporary restraining order).
Davis v. Methodist Hosp., 997 S.W.2d 788 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1999, no pet.) (won affirmance of summary judgment in libel case related to hospital credentialing).
St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital v. Agbor, 952 S.W.2d 503 (Tex. 1997) (holding that plaintiffs cannot assert negligent credentialing claims against hospitals).