Black's most recent high-profile case was the Kingwood residents' lawsuit to block their community's annexation by Houston. He refused to grant an injunction blocking the annexation, but his final ruling was pending. Such a combative lawyer, he said, unreasonably rejects moves to settle a case, needlessly fights over every legal point and falsely accuses opposing lawyers of misconduct. He urged attorneys to accept appointments to represent Texas convicts on death row. Black is also survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Berry of Austin and Diane Smith of Houston.
Funeral arrangements are pending.