ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, et al. v. Coleman

Case Updates

The Texas Supreme Court held that because the statements in question were related to a matter of public concern, the Texas Citizen Participation Act applies.

In its brief, the U.S. Chamber urged the Texas Supreme Court to clarify when the Texas Citizens Participation Act permits pre-discovery dismissal of lawsuits against employers based on the speech of their employees.

The Chamber's brief argued that the Texas Legislature intended for the Act to promote judicial efficiency and protect the rights of corporate defendants engaging in protected communications. In addition, the brief argued that the decision below exacerbates confusion in the lower Texas courts regarding what internal employer speech triggers the Act’s early dismissal mechanism.

Lindsay Hagans, Dale Wainwright and Patrick Caballero of Bracewell LLP served as counsel for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the U.S. Chamber Litigation Center.