In a petition for writ of mandamus, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller has asked the state Supreme Court to vacate the public warning the State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued to her on July 16 due to her conduct in connection with the 2007 execution of convicted murderer Michael Richard. Keller alleges that the commission lacked authority under the state constitution to issue the public warning and asks the Supreme Court to dismiss all charges against her.

Texas federal Judge David Hittner on Wednesday granted a motion severing Laura Pendergest-Holt, Stanford International Bank’s former chief investment officer, from being tried at the same time as R.

In a case of first impression, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a plaintiff who successfully sues for sexual harassment under the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act cannot also recover damages for a common-law claim of negligent supervision and retention. Two employment law experts say the 7-2 decision in Waffle House v. Cathie Williams is a huge win for employers and an “appalling” loss for employees who are victims of sexual harassment at work.

Although a Texas bankruptcy court had the authority to certify a class action against Wells Fargo, it stumbled in doing so. The 5th Ciruit found that the lower court had jurisdiction to certify a class of about 1,200 individuals who had filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy and had mortgages held or serviced by the bank — but the appeals court found that the questions of law and facts raised by the putative class members were not similar enough to warrant certification.

The attorney defending Texas Judge Sharon Keller against misconduct charges that could result in her removal from office accused the State Commission on Judicial Conduct on Friday of doing a poor job of investigating complaints against Keller in connection with a death row inmate’s case. Charles Babcock argued before the 13-member commission that Keller has been the victim of a “pack of lies” that the Texas Defender Service told about events on Sept