Sweezy Constr., Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527 (Tex. App. 1995). · Go Syfert
Sweezy Constr., Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527 (Tex. App. 1995). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
35 citation events (23 in the last 25 years) across 1 distinct court.
Strongest positive: Lloyd Michael Hamilton v. ConocoPhillips Co. and Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Co. LP (texapp, 2024-02-08)
Treatment trajectory · 1996 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1996 2011 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 17 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lloyd Michael Hamilton v. ConocoPhillips Co. and Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Co. LP
Tex. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
While we do not dispute appellees’ assertion that a wrongful injunction claim could be filed either as a counterclaim or a separate suit, see Sweezy Constr., Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 531 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg 1995, no writ), here, appellees specifically filed their claim as a counterclaim within the pending lawsuit.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) A.J.P. Oil Company, LLC D/B/A Grapeland Fuel & BBQ, and Andrew J. Patton v. Velvin Oil Company, Inc. (2×)
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Wyatt 760 S.W.2d at 247 ; Curtis v. Gibbs, 511 S.W.2d 263, 267 (Tex. 1974); Sweezy Construction, Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 531 (Tex. App.— 22 Corpus Christi 1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sheri Eddleman v. Matthew J. Ocker (2×)
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Inc. V Murray, 915 S. W.2d 527, 531 (Tex. App-Corpus Christi 1995, Org.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Esteban Hurtado, Gerardo Hurtado, San Juanita Davila, and Cristela Hurtado, Individually and as Next Friend of J.L.H. III, M.A.H., and B.A.H., Minors, and Cristela Hurtado, as Administratrix of the Estate of Alma Rosa Huerta v. Maria De Jesus Gamez, Individually and as Heir of Juan Jose Gamez, and as Next Friend of J.J.G. Jr., and C.M.G., Minors, and Adrian Garcia D/B/A Magnum Force Security
Tex. App. · 2012 · confidence medium
See Wyatt v. Shaw Plumbing Co., 760 S.W.2d 245, 247 (Tex. 1988) (explaining that when two lawsuits involving the same subject matter are filed in courts of concurrent jurisdiction, a party may file a motion to abate in one court, claiming the other court has dominant jurisdiction); Curtis v. Gibbs, 511 S.W.2d 263, 267 (Tex. 1974); Sweezy Constr., Inc., v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 531 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Victor Manuel Rodriguez v. Lydia Esther Rodriguez
Tex. App. · 2010 · confidence medium
Sweezy Construction, Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 532 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding [leave denied]).
cited Cited as authority (rule) in the Matter of T.D.B.
Tex. App. · 2006 · confidence medium
Curtis, 511 S.W.2d at 267 ; Sweezy Const., Inc. v. Murray , 915 S.W.2d 527, 531 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re Linda ZUFLACHT, Individually, and Adoption Services Associates
Tex. App. · 2004 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. Sweezy Constr., Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 532 (Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding [mand. denied]) (allegations of misrepresentations between parties, even if going to the heart of the controversy, do not bear on the choice of forum).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Reliant Energy, Inc. v. Jannete Gonzalez as Dependent Administrator of Estate of Guadalupe Gonzalez, Jr.,deceased
Tex. App. · 2002 · confidence medium
The type of misconduct necessary to invoke this exception "must in some manner involve or circumvent the choice of forum." Sweezy Constr., Inc. v. Murray , 915 S.W.2d 527, 532 (Tex. App.--Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re Mendoza
Tex. App. · 2002 · confidence medium
Hall v. Lawlis, 907 S.W.2d 493, 494 (Tex.1995) (orig.proceeding); Abor v. Black, 695 S.W.2d 564, 567 (Tex.1985) (orig.proceeding); Sweezy Constr., Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 530 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Monroe v. Blackmon (2×)
Tex. App. · 1997 · confidence medium
Eastwood Investments, Inc. v. Enlow, 923 S.W.2d 255 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth 1996, orig. proceeding); Sweezy Const., Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 530 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Republic Royalty Co. v. Evins
Tex. App. · 1996 · confidence medium
See Hall v. Lawlis, 907 S.W.2d 493 (Tex.1995); Abor v. Black, 695 S.W.2d 564, 567 (Tex.1985); Sweezy Construction, Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 530-31 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding); see also Curtis v. Gibbs, 511 S.W.2d 263 (Tex.1974); Hardy v. McCorkle, 765 S.W.2d 910, 913 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1989, orig. proceeding).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Flores v. Peschel (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 1996 · confidence medium
See Hall v. Lawlis, 907 S.W.2d 493 (Tex.1995); Abor v. Black, 695 S.W.2d 564, 567 (Tex.1985); Sweezy Construction, Inc. v. *212 Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 530-31 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding); see also Hooks v. Fourth Court of Appeals, 808 S.W.2d 56, 59 (Tex.1991).
discussed Cited "see" Reliant Energy, Inc. v. Gonzalez (2×)
Tex. App. · 2003 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sweezy Constr., Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 532 (Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding) (recognizing estoppel to assert the dominant jurisdiction of a prior action arises from a variety of conduct, including “an affirmative representation to the second court that it has jurisdiction,” as by filing suit in that jurisdiction); see also Perry, 66 S.W.3d at 252 ; Wyatt v. Shaw Plumbing Co., 760 S.W.2d 245, 247-48 (Tex.1988) (first-filed rule does not apply if party’s conduct estops him from asserting dominant jurisdiction); Howell v. Mauzy, 899 S.W.2d 690, 698 (Tex.App.-Aust…
discussed Cited "see" Gonzalez, Jannete, as Dependent Administrator of the Estate of Guadalupe Gonzalez, Jr. v. Reliant Energy, Inc.
Tex. App. · 2003 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sweezy Constr., Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 532 (Tex. App.--Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding) (recognizing estoppel to assert the dominant jurisdiction of a prior action arises from a variety of conduct, including "an affirmative representation to the second court that it has jurisdiction," as by filing suit in that jurisdiction); see also Perry , 66 S.W.3d at 252 ; Wyatt v. Shaw Plumbing Co., 760 S.W.2d 245, 247-48 (Tex. 1988) (first-filed rule does not apply if party's conduct estops him from asserting dominant jurisdiction); Howell v. Mauzy, 899 S.W.2d 690, 698 (Tex. App.--Aust…
cited Cited "see" In Re McCall
Tex. App. · 1998 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sweezy Constr., Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 532 (Tex.App. — Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding).
discussed Cited "see" RRR Farms, Ltd. v. American Horse Protection Ass'n, Inc.
Tex. App. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sweezy Constr., Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 531 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1995, orig. proceeding) (holding that claimant must prove suit was prosecuted maliciously and without probable cause and terminated in claimant’s favor); Toranto v. Wall, 891 S.W.2d 8, 5 (Tex.App.—Texarkana 1994, no writ) (holding that claimant must show actual interference with claimant’s person or property, such as an attachment, appointment of a receiver, writ of replevin, or injunction); Oak Crest Civic Club v. Lowe, 678 S.W.2d 93 94 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, writ dism’d) (holding that o…
discussed Cited "see, e.g." in Re: CTMI, LLC Mark Boozer And Jerrod Raymond
Tex. App. · 2016 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Sweezy Const., Inc. v. Murray, 915 S.W.2d 527, 532 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1995, no writ) (“We believe that the type of misconduct necessary to invoke as an exception to the general rule of dominant jurisdiction must in some manner involve or circumvent the choice of forum, and not merely go to the merits of the underlying lawsuit.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
SWEEZY CONSTRUCTION, INC. and Kent Sweezy, Relators,
v.
the Honorable Menton J. MURRAY, Judge of the 103rd Judicial District Court, Willacy County, Texas, Respondent
13-95-417-CV.
Court of Appeals of Texas.
Nov 16, 1995.
915 S.W.2d 527
Alison Kennamer, Rodriguez, Colvin & Chaney, Brownsville, Norton A. Colvin, Jr., Rodriguez, Colvin & Chaney, Brownsville, Eduardo R. Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Colvin & Chaney, Brownsville, Ramon Garcia, Edin-burg, Rollins M. Koppel, Koppel, Ezell, Powers & Kimball, Harlingen, Homer L. Sanders, Strasburger & Price, Austin, P. Michael Jung, Strasburger & Price, Austin, Shireen Irani Bacon, Austin, for intervenor., Moses M. Salas, Jr., Harlingen, for relator.
Dorsey, Yáñez, Chavez.
Cited by 20 opinions  |  Published

OPINION

CHAVEZ, Justice.

In this mandamus proceeding, the relators, Sweezy Construction, Inc., and Kent Sweezy, complain that the 103rd District Court in Willacy County wrongfully failed to abate a lawsuit filed against them in that court based on dominant jurisdiction established by a pri- or lawsuit filed by Sweezy in the 93rd District Court in Hidalgo County. We conditionally grant a writ of mandamus.

Both lawsuits stem from a dispute concerning which of two independent contractors, Sweezy Construction, Inc., or Faulkner Construction Co., had the right to build a new state jail facility in Willacy County, Tex[*530] as, to be maintained and operated by Wack-enhut Corrections Corp. Sweezy alleges that Waekenhut had agreed to designate Sweezy as the building contractor in its proposal to the Cameron/Willacy Counties Community Supervision and Corrections Department (the “Department”), the governmental entity responsible for the jail. However, Faulkner was ultimately named by Waeken-hut as the contractor responsible for budding the jail.

On October 24, 1994, Sweezy filed in the 93rd District Court of Hidalgo County its original petition and application for temporary injunction against Waekenhut and Faulkner for tortious interference with contract, breach of contract, fraud, and conspiracy to defraud. Sweezy did not ask for damages, but for specific performance of the contract in order to protect its business reputation and the allegedly incalculable value to Sweezy of completing the contract. Sweezy also brought concurrent applications for a temporary injunction and for a temporary restraining order to prevent Waekenhut and Faulkner from continuing construction of the jail in the interim. The trial court signed a temporary restraining order on October 24, 1994, but later denied the application for temporary injunction and dissolved the temporary restraining order on November 2, 1994. Sweezy amended its petition in December 1994, to ask for monetary damages against Wackenhut/Faulkner instead of specific performance of the alleged contract.

Meanwhile, on November 15, 1994, Wack-enhut/Faulkner filed their original petition against Sweezy in the 103rd District Court of Willacy County for wrongful issuance of injunction, tortious interference with contracts, and declaratory judgment. [1] Wacken-hut/Faulkner alleged that they had no contract with Sweezy for the construction of the jail, and that the State of Texas alone had the authority to select the general contractor who would build the new jail facility. Accordingly, Wackenhut/Faulkner complained that Sweezy’s procurement of the temporary restraining order was wrongful. In addition, Wackenhut/Faulkner asked for a declaratory judgment that Sweezy was not entitled to claim damages for breach of contract or other tortious conduct regarding the construction of the jail. Sweezy promptly answered and objected to the jurisdiction of the Willacy Court on grounds of dominant jurisdiction in the Hidalgo Court. Wackenhut/Faulkner then amended their petition on August 28, 1995, in an attempt to join the Department and the State of Texas as involuntary plaintiffs, though Wackenhut/Faulkner still sought essentially the same relief against Sweezy alone. The Willacy Court ultimately heard and denied Sweezy’s plea in abatement, on the basis of which Sweezy brings the present mandamus proceeding.

Adequacy of the Appellate Remedy

Mandamus will issue only to correct a clear abuse of discretion or violation of a duty imposed by law when that abuse cannot be remedied by appeal. Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 840 (Tex.1992). Although appeal is ordinarily an adequate remedy to review incidental rulings on such matters as special appearance and plea in abatement, an exception exists when the trial court’s order demonstrates such disregard for guiding principles of law that the harm to the defendant becomes irreparable. National Indus. Sand Ass’n v. Gibson, 897 S.W.2d 769, 771 (Tex.1995); Canadian Helicopters Ltd. v. Wittig, 876 S.W.2d 304, 308 (Tex.1994). Specifically, within the context of dominant jurisdiction, we generally do not review by mandamus the refusal of a trial court to abate an action based on the pen-dency of another action, which can be adequately reviewed on appeal, unless the courts directly interfere with each other by issuing conflicting orders or injunctions. Hall v. Lawlis, 38 Tex.Sup.Ct.J. 882, 907 S.W.2d 493 (1995); Abor v. Black, 695 S.W.2d 564, 567 (Tex.1985); see also Hooks v. Fourth Court of Appeals, 808 S.W.2d 56, 59 (Tex.1991).

In the present case, the Hidalgo Court has already issued a temporary re-[*531] straining order asserting jurisdiction and power over the underlying question of which contractor has the right to build the jail facility. Though that order was subsequently dissolved, the substance of the second lawsuit involves a challenge to the authority of the Hidalgo Court to have issued such an order. The Willacy Court’s denial of Sweezy’s plea in abatement shows its own assumption of the authority to judge the propriety of the Hidalgo Court’s orders in a lawsuit still pending in Hidalgo County. Accordingly, we believe that the orders and rulings of the two courts have already presented a sufficient conflict to justify mandamus relief.

Dominant Jurisdiction Generally

Generally, if two lawsuits concerning the same controversy and parties are pending in courts of coordinate jurisdiction, the court in which suit was first filed acquires dominant jurisdiction to the exclusion of the other court. Wyatt v. Shaw Plumbing Co., 760 S.W.2d 245, 248 (Tex.1988); Curtis v. Gibbs, 511 S.W.2d 268, 267 (Tex.1974); V.D. Anderson Co. v. Young, 101 S.W.2d 798, 800 (Tex.1937); Cleveland v. Ward, 285 S.W. 1068, 1070 (Tex.1926); Hartley v. Coker, 843 S.W.2d 743, 746 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1992, no writ). Abatement of a lawsuit due to the pendency of a prior suit is based on the principles of comity, convenience, and the necessity for an orderly procedure in the trial of contested issues. Wyatt, 760 S.W.2d at 248; Hartley, 843 S.W.2d at 746. If a party calls the second court’s attention to the pendency of the first suit by a plea in abatement, that court must sustain the plea. Curtis, 511 S.W.2d at 267; Howell v. Mauzy, 899 S.W.2d 690, 697 (Tex.App.—Austin 1994, no writ).

Accordingly, when an inherent interrelation of the subject matter exists in two pending lawsuits, a plea in abatement in the second action must be granted. In determining whether an inherent interrelationship exists, courts should be guided by the rules governing joinder of necessary parties and compulsory counterclaims. Wyatt, 760 S.W.2d at 247; Hartley, 843 S.W.2d at 746-47; See Tex.R.Civ.P. 39, 97(a).

It appears to us beyond dispute that Wackenhut/Faulkner’s claims for tortious interference and declaratory judgment are inherently interrelated to the lawsuit filed by Sweezy for breach of the alleged contract that underlies all claims except the one for wrongful injunction. However, Wacken-hut/Faulkner argues that their claim for wrongful injunction is not a compulsory counterclaim to the Hidalgo County lawsuit and may be maintained separately in Willacy County.

A person who obtains an injunction wrongfully is liable for damages caused by issuance of the injunction. There are two separate causes of action for wrongful injunction, one upon the bond ordinarily filed to obtain the injunction, and the other for malicious prosecution. DeSantis v. Wackenhut Corp., 793 S.W.2d 670, 685 (Tex.1990).

To prevail upon a cause of action for malicious prosecution, the claimant must prove that the injunction suit was prosecuted maliciously and without probable cause, and was terminated in his favor. DeSantis, 793 S.W.2d at 686; see also James v. Brown, 637 S.W.2d 914, 918 (Tex.1982). Accordingly, unless it is brought as a counterclaim in the same lawsuit in which the injunction issued, a separately-filed lawsuit for wrongful injunction presumes that the first lawsuit has already terminated in favor of the party claiming that the injunction was wrongful. See DeSantis, 793 S.W.2d at 686; Payne v. Nichols, 176 S.W.2d 961 (Tex.Civ.App.— Galveston 1943, writ ref'd w.o.m.); Sanitary Appliance Co. v. French, 58 S.W.2d 159, 162 (Tex.Civ. App.—Amarillo 1933, writ dism’d).

While the first lawsuit remains pending, however, the court having issued the injunction, and which still retains power to issue or refuse further interlocutory relief of that nature, remains the proper forum in which to challenge the propriety of that injunction. An issue concerning the wrongfulness of that injunction is thus inherently interrelated to the underlying injunction proceeding such that both should properly be considered by the same court. It would be inconsistent with the principles of comity for a second court by a separate malicious prose[*532] cution action to indirectly judge the propriety of the first court’s interlocutory orders while the first court still retains jurisdiction over the underlying lawsuit as a whole.

The court in which a matter is presently pending is ordinarily in the best position to determine ancillary matters relating to the prosecution of that lawsuit. Cf. Ramirez v. Lagunes, 794 S.W.2d 501, 505 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1990, no writ) (the court having jurisdiction over the main proceeding has exclusive jurisdiction to grant discovery relief).

Accordingly, we conclude that Waek-enhut/Faulkner’s claim for wrongful injunction is, like their other claims, inherently interrelated to Sweezy’s lawsuit in Hidalgo County.

Exceptions to First-Filed Rule

Wackenhut/Faulkner argue in the alternative that their lawsuit falls with the exceptions to the ordinary rule that dominant jurisdiction attaches in the court where the first lawsuit is filed. The following three exceptions to first-filed rule apply to defeat dominant jurisdiction in the first court when: 1) the party seeking abatement is by his conduct estopped from asserting the first court’s jurisdiction; 2) all persons cannot be joined in the first court, or the first court does not have the power to bring such parties before the court; or 3) the parties in the first court lack intent to prosecute that action. See Wyatt, 760 S.W.2d at 248; Curtis, 511 S.W.2d at 267; Howell, 899 S.W.2d at 698; Hartley, 843 S.W.2d at 747.

Waekenhut argues that Sweezy was estopped from claiming dominant jurisdiction in Hidalgo County because of its inequitable conduct before that court. Specifically, Waekenhut argues that Sweezy misrepresented to the Hidalgo Court the nature of Wack-enhut’s contract with the Department. Although Sweezy alleged in its petition that Waekenhut had been awarded the contract to construct the jail, Sweezy allegedly knew that the Department had contracted with Waekenhut only to manage and operate the jail, and had already awarded the construction contract to Faulkner.

The general rule does not apply where a party is guilty of such conduct relating to the matter as to estop himself from asserting the prior active jurisdiction of a court in which a suit is first filed over another court in which a suit is subsequently filed involving the same subject matter. Johnson v. Avery, 414 S.W.2d 441, 443 (Tex.1966); V.D. Anderson, 101 S.W.2d at 800; Grimes v. Harris, 695 S.W.2d 648, 651 (Tex.App.— Dallas 1985, orig. proceeding).

Accordingly, a party may be es-topped from raising the dominant jurisdiction of a prior action by a variety of conduct, including: his affirmative representation to the second court that it has jurisdiction, See Howell, 899 S.W.2d at 698, his failure to raise a plea in abatement in a timely manner, See Wyatt, 760 S.W.2d at 248; Howell, 899 S.W.2d at 698, or by sitting “in silence while sister courts issue conflicting orders regarding the same subject matter. Grimes, 695 S.W.2d at 651-52.

However, the present allegations of misrepresentation, although they go to the very heart of the present controversy between Sweezy and Waekenhut, have nothing to do with the choice of forum. We believe that the type of misconduct necessary to invoke as an exception to the general rule of dominant jurisdiction must in some manner involve or circumvent the choice of forum, and not merely go to the merits of the underlying lawsuit. There is no indication in the present case that Sweezy made the allegedly false claims specifically in order to obtain venue of the present lawsuit in Hidalgo County. Nor is there any indication that the Hidalgo Court and the Willacy Court were kept ignorant of the proceedings taking place in the other court.

With regard to the joinder of necessary parties, Waekenhut complains that the Department and the State of Texas, as the governmental entities jointly contracting for the construction of the jail, were not joined as necessary parties to the Hidalgo County lawsuit. It is not required that the exact issues and all the parties be included in the first action before the second is filed, provided that the claim in the first suit may be[*533] amended to bring in all necessary and proper parties and issues. Wyatt, 760 S.W.2d at 247; Hartley, 843 S.W.2d at 746-47.

Our focus in connection -with the plea in abatement is whether the parties in the second lawsuit were either present in the first lawsuit or could have been joined there. See Wyatt, 760 S.W.2d at 247-48; Dallas Fire Ins. Co. v. Davis, 893 S.W.2d 288, 294 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth 1996, orig. proceeding).

In the present case, it is clear from their pleadings that the lawsuit filed by Wackenhut/Faulkner in Willacy County is solely against Sweezy and does not require the presence of these governmental entities as “involuntary plaintiffs” in order for Wack-enhut/Faulkner to obtain all the relief that they have requested by their petitions. Accordingly, there is no barrier to the trial of Wackenhut/Faulkner’s claims in Hidalgo County.

With regard to the last exception regarding Sweezy’s alleged lack of intent to prosecute the first action, although the nature of relief sought has changed from specific performance to damages, Sweezy has shown no lack of diligence in the prosecution of its lawsuit in Hidalgo County, nor has Wacken-huf/Faulkner shown any evidence that Sweezy does not intend to prosecute to final judgment the present lawsuit concerning the contract and tort claims at issue between the parties.

Because Sweezy filed suit first in Hidalgo County, and none of the exceptions apply, we hold that the Hidalgo Court acquired dominant jurisdiction of this matter and that the Willacy Court abused its discretion in failing to abate the subsequently-filed lawsuit.

Accordingly, we conditionally grant a writ of mandamus ordering the 103rd District Court in Willacy County to abate the underlying lawsuit pending disposition of the Hi-dalgo County lawsuit. However, the writ will not issue unless the trial court fails to comply with the opinion of this Court.

1

. Wackenhut/Faulkner had on October 31, 1994, initially filed actions for tortious interference and wrongful injunction as counterclaims in answer to the Hidalgo County lawsuit, but later chose to assert the same claims as a separate lawsuit in Willacy County.