Source: http://willi.com/results
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 22:02:09+00:00

Document:
Austin Patent Attorney, Austin Patent Infringement Attorney, Austin Patent Litigator, Austin Patent Lawyer, Austin Patent Litigation, Austin Trademark Attorney, Austin Copyright Attorney, Austin Intellectual Property Attorney, Austin Patent Infringement Lawyer, Texas Patent Attorney, Texas Patent Infringement Attorney, Texas Patent Litigator, Texas Patent Litigation, Texas Patent Infringement Lawyer, Texas Patent Lawyer, Texas Trademark Attorney, Texas Copyright Attorney - Willi Law Firm, P.C.
June 9, 2016 - Texas First Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client by Affirming the Trial Court's Finding of Personal Jurisdiction Over an Out-of-State Defendant.
Willi Law Firm represented a defendant in a case in which a co-defendant sought to be dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction. Willi Law Firm’s client sought to keep that co-defendant in the case and opposed the co-defendant’s Special Appearance. The trial court denied the Special Appearance and the co-defendant appealed. The Texas First Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s ruling based upon the argument presented by Willi Law Firm that the co-defendant had waived its Special Appearance by failing to follow the due-order-of-hearing requirement under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 120a. The co-defendant had scheduled a hearing and obtained affirmative relief inconsistent with a challenge to the court’s jurisdiction.
March 20, 2016 - U.S. District Court Judge Walter S. Smith, Jr. Entered an Order and Judgment Dismissing a Patent Infringement Case Filed Against Willi Law Firm's Client Based upon Patent Invalidity.
Willi Law Firm represented a defendant in a patent infringement case. The U.S. District Judge issued an Order adopting the Magistrate Judge’s findings and recommendation that the case be dismissed on the grounds that the patent was invalid under 35 U.S.C. §101 for failing to claim patentable subject matter under the Mayo/Alice analysis.
March 11, 2016 - Texas Third Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Willi Law Firm’s Client by Reversing a Trial Court Judgment of Over $650,000 for Defamation and Rendering Its Own Judgment that the Opposing Party Take Nothing.
Willi Law Firm’s client was facing a judgment of over $650,000 in a defamation per se case. The Texas Third Court of Appeals determined that the evidence supporting the jury’s verdict on damages was legally insufficient and also found that the evidence supporting attorney’s fees was legally insufficient. Accordingly, the Texas Third Court of Appeals reversed the trial court judgment and rendered a take nothing judgment in favor of Willi Law Firm’s client.
December 20, 2015 - U.S. Western District of Texas Magistrate Judge Jeffrey C. Manske Issued a Report and Recommendation to Grant a Motion to Dismiss a Patent Infringement Case Filed Against Willi Law Firm's Client Based upon Patent Invalidity for Failure to Claim Patentable Subject Matter.
In this patent infringement lawsuit, Willi Law Firm worked with several other defendants to file a comprehensive Motion to Dismiss based upon patent invalidity. Relying on the Mayo/Alice analysis, the Magistrate Judge recommended dismissal of the entire action against all defendants including Willi Law Firm's client.
March 26, 2015 - U.S. District Court Judge Sam Sparks Dismisses Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Willi Law Firm's Client For Lack of Personal Jurisdiction.
Willi Law Firm represented New York-based Cardshark, LLC in a declaratory judgment action filed by Catalyst Medium Four, Inc. in the Western District of Texas, Austin Division. The patents in suit, U.S. Patent Nos. 8.047,364 and 8,381,904, relate to cases for cell phones. The case against Willi Law Firm's client was dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction.
December 18, 2014 - U.S. District Court Judge Lee Yeakel Dismisses Trademark Infringement Lawsuit Against Willi Law Firm's Client For Lack of Personal Jurisdiction.
In this trademark infringement case, a temporary restraining order was entered by a Texas state court against a New Jersey resident. When the New Jersey resident hired Willi Law Firm, Willi Law Firm immediately removed the case to federal court, effectively precluding the state court from entering a temporary injunction. When the opposing party attempted to pursue a temporary injunction in federal court, Willi Law Firm countered with a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction which again precluded any injunction being entered. Ultimately, Willi Law Firm prevailed on its motion and the case was dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction.
January 17, 2014 - Texas Supreme Court Denies Review of Judgment in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client.
In this Texas Property Code case involving an executory contract for the purchase of a luxury home, the Texas Supreme Court initially expressed interest in reviewing a Third Court of Appeals decision in favor of Willi Law Firm's Client. After both sides submitted briefs on the merits to the Texas Supreme Court, the Court denied review of the case, thus preserving the decision in favor of Willi Law Firm's client.
August 29, 2013 – U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Issues Office Action in Ex Parte Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,392,283 Rejecting Claims 1–19 and 20-25.
Willi Law Firm represented New York-based Formats Unlimited, Inc., Nevada-based Kunaki LLC, Arizona-based U.S. Digital Media, Inc., and Utah-based Vervante Corporation in Innovative Automation LLC v. Audio and Video Labs, Inc. d/b/a Disc Makers et al., No. 6:11-cv-234-LED, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division. Willi Law Firm filed a request for ex parte reexamination of plaintiff’s U.S. Patent No. 7,392,283, on February 14, 2012, in which Willi Law Firm requested the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reexamine all fourteen claims of the ’283 patent in view of several prior art U.S. patents. During the reexamination proceedings, the applicant amended claims 1 and 3-4 and added claims 15-19 and 21-25. On August 29, 2013, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a final office action rejecting claims 1-19 and 21-25 of the ’283 patent in view of the submitted prior art.
August 21, 2013 – Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Dismisses Trademark Opposition Proceedings Against Willi Law Firm’s Client.
Willi Law Firm represented Austin-based Getagadget, Inc. in two trademark opposition proceedings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). Getagadget sells BIG BITE™ bottle openers and beach toys to mass merchandisers (such as Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and CVS pharmacy), convenience stores, vacation resort gift shops, surf shops, souvenir stores, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, promotional companies, marinas, theme parks, water parks, yacht clubs, and golf clubs in the United States and foreign countries. 7-Eleven sells its BIG BITE® hot dogs in 7-Eleven convenience stores. 7-Eleven alleged that consumers would be confused, mistaken, or deceived into believing that Getagadget’s BIG BITE™ openers and beach toys, which were not sold in 7-Eleven convenience stores, were somehow related to or originated from 7-Eleven. Alternatively, 7-Eleven alleged that Getagadget’s use of the BIG BITE™ mark for bottle openers and beach toys would somehow dilute 7-Eleven’s trademark for hot dogs. The cases settled to the mutual satisfaction of the parties, and the TTAB dismissed the trademark opposition proceedings.
August 13, 2013 – Formed Harwick & Harwick LLC.
Georgetown-based services company requested legal advice regarding business entity formation in Texas. Willi Law Firm interviewed the client regarding their business needs, provided legal advice regarding various types of Texas business entities, conducted a name availability search, and filed all required legal documents to form the limited liability company. After formation, Law Firm obtained the limited liability company’s employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS, prepared the IRS forms required to obtained Subchapter S taxation status, and assisted the new members and officers to execute all required documents at the company’s organizational meeting.
August 5, 2013 – U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Registers Trademark for Willi Law Firm’s Client.
Willi Law Firm filed a trademark application on behalf of its New York and Germany-based client, Global Model Management, LLC. Global Model Management represents approximately 500 internationally-recognized and notable models under the MOST WANTED MODELS mark. The U.S. Patent and Trademark approved Willi Law Firm’s trademark application and registered Global Model Management’s MOST WANTED MODELS trademark on the primary register.
July 22, 2013 – Willi Law Firm Represented Cerium Laboratories in Its Purchase of Avogadro nAnalytical.
Willi Law Firm represented Cerium Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiary Cerium Laboratories, LLC in the purchase of Avogadro nAnalytical LLC, which included the preparation and negotiation of contracts for the transfer of equipment and intellectual property, transfers of employees and management, and preparation of employment agreements.
April 19, 2013 - Copyright Infringement Plaintiff Voluntarily Dismisses Lawsuit Against Willi Law Firm's Client.
Willi Law Firm represented Houston-based defendant, Popscreen, Inc., in a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by the plaintiff, Mavrix Photo, Inc., in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, against multiple defendants. The copyrights in suit related to photographs of Britney Spears. The plaintiff agreed to voluntarily dismiss the case against Popscreen.
March 25, 2013 - Patent Infringement Plaintiff Voluntarily Dismisses Lawsuit Against Willi Law Firm's Client.
Willi Law Firm represented Masschusetts-based OriginLab Corporation in a patent infringement lawsuit, filed by plaintiffs, Uniloc USA, Inc. and Uniloc Luxembourg S.A., against multiple defendants in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division. The patent in suit, U.S. Patent No. 5,579,222, related to distributed license administration system using a local policy server to communicate with a license server and control execution of computer programs. OriginLab was a licensed user of Flexera Software, LLC's FlexNet Licensing and FlexNet Publisher software. The case against Willi Law Firm's client was dismissed with prejudice after Flexera obtained a license to the patent in suit.
February 20, 2013 - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Issues Office Action in Ex Parte Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,392,283 Rejecting Claims 1–14.
Willi Law Firm represented New York-based Formats Unlimited, Inc., Nevada-based Kunaki LLC, Arizona-based U.S. Digital Media, Inc., and Utah-based Vervante Corporation in Innovative Automation LLC v. Audio and Video Labs, Inc. d/b/a Disc Makers et al., No. 6:11-cv-234-LED, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division. Willi Law Firm filed a request for ex parte reexamination of plaintiff's U.S. Patent No. 7,392,283, on February 14, 2012, in which Willi Law Firm requested the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reexamine all fourteen claims of the '283 patent in view of several prior art U.S. patents. On February 20, 2013, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued an office action rejecting all 14 claims of the '283 patent in view of the submitted prior art.
November 2, 2012 - U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Affirms Trial Court Judgment on Copyright Infringement in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client.
Willi Law Firm represented the appellees, copyright owners, in an appeal from a U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas judgment in their favor. The case involved copyright infringement of musical compositions and sound recordings. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the liability and damages findings and remanded the case for further consideration of an additional award of attorney’s fees.
October 19, 2012 - Texas Third Court of Appeals Affirms Trial Court Judgment in Favor of Willi Law Firm’s Client.
Willi Law Firm represented the appellee in an appeal from a Travis County district court. The case involved an executory contract for the purchase of a luxury home in Austin, Texas. On appeal, the purchaser of the luxury home sought to recover over $1 million in additional statutory damages pursuant to section 5.085 of the Texas Property Code. In an opinion written by Chief Justice J. Woodfin Jones, joined by Justice Jeff L. Rose and Justice Melissa Goodwin, the Third Court of Appeals agreed with Willi Law Firm’s argument that no additional damages were available to the purchaser under the facts of this case.
September 27, 2012 - U.S. District Court Judge Davis Dismisses Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Willi Law Firm's Client For Improper Venue.
U.S. District Court Judge Leonard E. Davis of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, adopted the report and recommendation of U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love that Willi Law Firm's motion to dismiss pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 12(b)(2) and 12(b)(3) filed on behalf of its New York-based client, Formats Unlimited, Inc., in Innovative Automation LLC v. Audio and Video Labs, Inc. d/b/a Disc Makers et al. should be granted, and that that the patent infringement lawsuit against Formats Unlimited should be dismissed for improper venue. As a result, Judge Davis dismissed the patent infringement case against Willi Law Firm's client for improper venue.
May 31, 2012 - U.S. Magistrate Judge Love Recommends Dismissal of Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Willi Law Firm's Client.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, issued a report and recommendation that Willi Law Firm's motion to dismiss pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 12(b)(2) and 12(b)(3) filed on behalf of its New York-based client, Formats Unlimited, Inc., in Innovative Automation LLC v. Audio and Video Labs, Inc. d/b/a Disc Makers et al. should be granted, and that that the patent infringement lawsuit against Formats Unlimited should be dismissed for improper venue.
May 17, 2012 - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Issues Office Action in Ex Parte Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,174,362 Rejecting Claims 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8.
Willi Law Firm represented Formats Unlimited, Inc., Kunaki LLC, U.S. Digital Media, Inc., and Vervante Corporation in Innovative Automation LLC v. Audio and Video Labs, Inc. d/b/a Disc Makers et al., No. 6:11-cv-234-LED, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division. Willi Law Firm filed a request for ex parte reexamination of the patent in suit, U.S. Patent No. 7,174,362, on February 14, 2012, in which Willi Law Firm requested the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reexamine all eight claims of the '362 patent in view of ten different prior art U.S. patents. On May 17, 2012, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued an office action rejecting claims 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8 of the '362 patent in view of the submitted prior art.
May 11, 2012 - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Grants Willi Law Firm's Request for Ex Parte Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,392,283.
Willi Law Firm represented Formats Unlimited, Inc., Kunaki LLC, U.S. Digital Media, Inc., and Vervante Corporation in Innovative Automation LLC v. Audio and Video Labs, Inc. d/b/a Disc Makers et al., No. 6:11-cv-234-LED, in the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division. Willi Law Firm filed a request for ex parte reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,392,283, which is a continuation of the patent in suit, on February 14, 2012, in which Willi Law Firm requested the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reexamine all claims of the '283 patent in view of ten different prior art U.S. patents. On May 11, 2012, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office determined that a substantial new question of patentability affecting all claims of the '283 patent was raised by Willi Law Firm's request for ex parte reexamination and, therefore, granted Willi Law Firm's request for ex parte reexamination of the '283 patent.
March 1, 2012 - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Grants Willi Law Firm's Request for Ex Parte Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,174,362.
Willi Law Firm represented Formats Unlimited, Inc., Kunaki LLC, U.S. Digital Media, Inc., and Vervante Corporation in Innovative Automation LLC v. Audio and Video Labs, Inc. d/b/a Disc Makers et al., No. 6:11-cv-234-LED, in the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division. Willi Law Firm filed a request for ex parte reexamination of the patent in suit, U.S. Patent No. 7,174,362, on February 14, 2012, in which Willi Law Firm requested the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reexamine all claims of the '362 patent in view of ten different prior art U.S. patents. On March 1, 2012, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office determined that a substantial new question of patentability affecting all claims of the '362 patent was raised by Willi Law Firm's request for ex parte reexamination and, therefore, granted Willi Law Firm's request for ex parte reexamination of the '362 patent.
October 23, 2011 - Willi Law Firm Represented Cerium Holdings in Its Purchase of Cerium Laboratories from Spansion.
Willi Law Firm represented Cerium Holdings, Inc. in the purchase of Cerium Laboratories, LLC from Spansion, LLC., which included the preparation and negotiation of contracts for the transfer of millions of dollars worth of equipment and intellectual property, transfers of employees, and establishment of future services contracts between Cerium and its customers.
June 29, 2011 - U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas Dismisses Case Against Willi Law Firm's Client Due to Lack of Personal Jurisdiction and Orders Case to Be Transferred to Tennessee.
June 15, 2011 - Patent Infringement Plaintiff Voluntarily Dismisses Lawsuit Against Willi Law Firm's Client.
Willi Law Firm represented Iowa-based defendant, CD Technical, Inc., in a patent infringement lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, against multiple defendants. The patent in suit related to computer-implemented methods and a system for digital data duplication systems using networks to fully automate the process from customer order processing to delivery. After Willi Law Firm demonstrated to the plaintiff that CD Technical's digital duplication equipment did not infringe the plaintiff's patent, the plaintiff agreed to voluntarily dismiss the case against CD Technical.
June 15, 2011 - False Patent Marking Case Against Willi Law Firm's Client Dismissed With Prejudice.
Willi Law Firm represented an Oklahoma corporation in a false patent marking lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. The case against Willi Law Firm's client was dismissed with prejudice to the mutual satisfaction of the parties.
June 9, 2011 - False Patent Marking Case Against Willi Law Firm's Client Dismissed With Prejudice.
Willi Law Firm represented a Canadian corporation in a false patent marking lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. The case against Willi Law Firm's client was dismissed with prejudice to the mutual satisfaction of the parties.
May 24, 2011 - Cyberpiracy and Trademark Infringement Lawsuit Against Willi Law Firm's Client Dismissed With Prejudice.
Willi Law Firm represented Virginia defendants in a lawsuit involving allegations of cyberpiracy, contributory cyberpiracy, trademark infringement, and civil conspiracy filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. The case was dismissed after a favorable settlement in which Willi Law Firm's clients received cash.
May 4, 2011 - Travis County District Court Sets Aside Default Judgment for $576,423 and Enters Agreed Judgment for $75,000.
Willi Law Firm was hired after a default judgment was entered in Texas against a client in Florida. Willi Law Firm filed a Motion for New Trial and to Set Aside Default Judgment challenging how the lawsuit was served as well as a motion challenging the court's personal jurisdiction over the Defendant. Willi Law Firm then negotiated a settlement to reduce the judgment of $576,423 down to $75,000 prior to the hearing on the pending motions.
May 2, 2011 - False Patent Marking Case Against Willi Law Firm's Client Dismissed.
Willi Law Firm represented a California corporation in a false patent marking lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. The case against Willi Law Firm's client was voluntarily dismissed by the relator with no settlement payments being made by Willi Law Firm's client.
April 29, 2011 - Travis County Court at Law Enters Judgment in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client.
Willi Law Firm was hired after a case was tried without lawyers in small claims court, and the losing party appealed with a lawyer for a trial de novo to the Travis County Court at Law. Willi Law Firm pushed the case to trial quickly to keep costs down and presented evidence and witnesses at a bench trial. Judge David Phillips entered a judgment in favor of Willi Law Firm's client immediately after the close of evidence.
April 29, 2011 - Incorporated Blue Lynk LLC.
Austin-based information technology and services startup requested legal advice regarding business entity formation in Texas. Willi Law Firm interviewed the client regarding their business needs, provided legal advice regarding various types of Texas business entities, conducted a name availability search, and filed all required legal documents.
April 25, 2011 - Harris County District Court Denies Turnover and Receivership for Rental Income from Homestead Exempt Property.
Willi Law Firm previously won a judgment on behalf of its client in federal bankruptcy court establishing that a 5.0+ acre mobile home park was protected by the Texas homestead exemption. Harris County sought turnover and receivership of the rental income from that mobile home park. Judge Jeff Shadwick denied the turnover or receivership of the rental income from the homestead exempt property.
April 7, 2011 - Incorporated N5 Group LLC.
Eagle Pass-based construction and hauling services startup requested legal advice regarding business entity formation in Texas. Willi Law Firm interviewed the client regarding their business needs, provided legal advice regarding various types of Texas business entities, conducted a name availability search, and filed all required legal documents.
March 9, 2011 - Blanco County District Court Signs Agreed Final Judgment Granting a Permanent Easement to Willi Law Firm's Clients.
Willi Law Firm was hired after the clients had lost a motion for summary judgment on easement by necessity and easement by estoppel and the court was considering awarding substantial attorney's fees. The road easement in dispute connects the clients' land to the highway and they had used the road continuously for over 100 years. Without the easement, the property was landlocked. Willi Law Firm immediately filed documents to refocus the case on two issues: (1) that there should be no attorney's fees awarded in this easement case; and (2) that the real issue that should be tried is whether there is an easement by prescription. Willi Law Firm then was able to negotiate a mutually agreeable solution at mediation which included a permanent easement to be filed in the real property records.
March 9, 2011 - U.S. Western District of Texas Signs Final Judgment in False Patent Marking Case.
Willi Law Firm negotiated a settlement in a case involving allegations of false patent marking pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 292. All issues in the case were resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the parties. The court entered a final judgment permitting the sale of all remaining inventory marked with the expired patent number.
March 4, 2011 - Willi Law Firm Negotiates Extension of Time to Pay Off Promissory Note on Behalf of Client Who Would Have Been in Default on Her Home.
The client had thought that the note was due a year later than it was. Willi Law Firm negotiated a modification to allow payment of the current accrued interest and an extension of the note for 8 months to give her time to sell other property to come up with the full amount. Willi Law Firm also assisted the client in deciding the best way to come up with a substantial sum of money in a short amount of time with the least amount of penalties.
February 23, 2011 - U.S. Western District of Texas Signs Final Judgment in a False Patent Marking Case.
February 3, 2011 - Incorporated AppYoga LLC.
Willi Law Firm advised and assisted this Austin-based startup with its business strategy and formation. After formation, Willi Law Firm assisted the new member and officers to execute all required documents at the company's organizational meeting.
February 3, 2011 - Created National Firearms Act (NFA) Trust for Travis County, Texas Resident.
Willi Law Firm prepared a NFA trust (aka gun trust), which allowed the client, his wife, and his three adult sons—all law-abiding citizens—to obtain and possess NFA firearms, without the need to request permission from the sheriff or any other state or local official.
January 26, 2011 - Texas Third Court of Appeals Issues Mandate Affirming Probate Court Judgment in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client and Awarding $30,000 in Penalties and Costs Against the Opposing Party.
The Texas Third Court of Appeals issued a Mandate affirming the Travis County Probate Court No. 1's judgment in favor of Willi Law Firm's client, which included $109,500 in sanctions against the opposing party. The Third Court of Appeals in Austin, Texas affirmed the probate court's judgment and ordered the appellant to pay $30,000 in penalties and all costs relating to the appeal to Willi Law Firm's client.
January 18, 2011 - Incorporated MBI Concepts Corporation.
Willi Law Firm advised and assisted this Austin-based publishing startup with its business strategy and formation. After formation, Willi Law Firm assisted the new member and officers to execute all required documents at the company's organizational meeting.
December 30, 2010 - Willi Law Firm Filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court on the Issue of Whether a U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Opinion Refusing to Apply the State-Created Danger Theory Should be Reversed.
Willi Law Firm's clients pursued a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals' continued refusal to recognize the "state-created danger" theory. This legal theory provides that a governmental entity or officer cannot hide behind governmental immunity if the entity or officer created the dangerous situation that injured the citizen. In this case, police officers enlisted the aid of a mentally ill person's elderly mother and physically placed her at the front door of her son who had barricaded himself in his apartment with a gun and who was refusing to cooperate with police. The police knew that he had killed his wife some years before during a similar psychotic episode. The police officers confirmed between themselves that they were all wearing bullet-proof vests before escorting the mother up to the door for her confrontation. The son was killed when the police opened fire with the mother standing between them. The mother was shot at least 11 times while the police inexcusably used her as bait to extricate her mentally ill son from the apartment so that they could make an arrest. The mother was shot by the police officers as well as her son.
December 21, 2010 - U.S. Western District of Texas Signs Final Judgment in ION Geophysical Corporation & INOVA, Ltd. v. Sigmar.
Willi Law Firm represented ION Geophysical and INOVA, world leaders in seismic acquisition technology for land and marine exploration in a patent case involving seismic sensor packaging and assembly. A former officer and director of Input/Output, Inc. (now ION Geophysical), who was one of 20 named inventors on the patent in suit, refused to assign his rights to the invention unless he was paid a very high "consulting" fee. ION Geophysical and INOVA filed a declaratory judgment action requesting the Court to declare that the invention had automatically been assigned by the former officer pursuant to his employment agreement, or in the alternative, that he held his rights to the invention in a constructive trust for ION Geophysical due to his contractual and fiduciary duties to assign the invention. The former officer executed the assignment after the lawsuit was filed. Willi Law Firm's clients paid no "consulting" fees or any other kind of payment in return for the assignment.
December 3, 2010 - Incorporated CaliberCode LLC.
Willi Law Firm was hired after a jury rendered a verdict, which included a finding of $7.5 million in punitive damages. The case involved allegations of breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference with contract, tortious interference with prospective business relations, and conspiracy to misappropriate trade secrets. In post-trial motions, Willi Law Firm argued for a reduction of punitive damages on multiple grounds. Magistrate Judge Robert Pitman issued an opinion reducing the jury's award of punitive damages from $7.5 million to $1.9 million.
Judge Guy Herman sustained the objection filed by Willi Law Firm regarding the adequacy of a $100 cash supersedeas bond posted by the opposing party to prevent execution on an award of sanctions in the amount of $109,500. Further, Judge Herman granted our client's motion to compel postjudgment discovery from the opposing party and her attorney, against whom sanctions had been awarded. Finally, Judge Herman ordered the opposing party and her attorney to pay an additional $2,000 in sanctions in favor of Willi Law Firm's client.
Justice Bob Pemberton, joined by Justice Alan Waldrop, issued an opinion in favor of Willi Law Firm's client upholding the probate court's judgment, including $109,500 in sanctions. The Third Court of Appeals in Austin, Texas, affirmed the probate court's rulings on motions for summary judgment on testamentary capacity, alleged oral conveyance of real property, forgery, and undue influence. It also affirmed the probate court's award of sanctions and awarded an additional $30,000 in penalties to Willi Law Firm's client on appeal.
March 11, 2010 - Hays County District Court Signs Settlement Agreement and Final Order of Dismissal of All Claims Against Willi Law Firm's Client With Prejudice.
Faced with pending motions for summary judgment and motions for sanctions, the plaintiff in a Hays County district court case involving claims of defamation and business disparagement agreed to a take-nothing settlement and final order of dismissal of all claims against Willi Law Firm's clients with prejudice.
February 1, 2010 - U.S. Western District of Texas Opinion in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client Dismissing Case for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction.
Judge Sam Sparks issued an opinion in favor of Willi Law Firm's New York client determining that Texas courts do not have personal jurisdiction over the defendant. The case was filed in Williamson County, Texas, against a New York entity which maintains an Internet website. The plaintiff alleged breach of contract, interference with contract, violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and defamation. Willi Law Firm removed the case to federal court based upon diversity of citizenship and sought dismissal. The court determined that the Internet website was "passive" and the defendant's contacts with Texas were insufficient to exercise personal jurisdiction over the defendant. The case was dismissed.
January 5, 2010 - Summary Judgment Granted in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client Dismissing All of Plaintiffs' Claims in Travis County District Court.
Judge Jeff Rose entered an Order granting summary judgment in favor of Willi Law Firm's client based upon a showing that there were no actual damages which could be awarded for any of the multiple causes of action stated in the plaintiffs' pleading.
November 5, 2009 - U.S. Southern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court Opinion in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client Granting Homestead Exemption for Mobile Home Park.
Judge Marvin Isgur issued an opinion in favor of Willi Law Firm's client after a trial on whether the client could claim her entire 5.0 + acre mobile home park located near Houston, Texas, as exempt under the Texas homestead laws. The court found that the entire acreage and all mobile homes at the mobile home park where the client lived was homestead exempt.
August 28, 2009 - U.S. Southern District of Texas Opinion Affirms Decision of Trial Court in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client on Homestead Exemption.
Judge Randy Crane issued an opinion affirming judgment in favor of Willi Law Firm's client on the issue of whether a debtor could claim a homestead exemption for real property that was foreclosed upon by Willi Law Firm's client before the bankruptcy petition was filed. The judgment was appealed to the U.S. Southern District Court after it was successfully tried before the U.S. Southern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court.
May 26, 2009 - Acting as Local Counsel, Willi Law Firm Obtains Emergency Continuance for a Hearing.
Having been hired on Memorial Day, May 25th, Willi Law Firm reviewed the file and appeared as local counsel for out-of-town counsel on an Emergency Motion for Continuance on May 26th. Taking advantage of local rules regarding "announcement" in Travis County, opposing counsel had succeeded in unilaterally setting a hearing on a matter involving over one hundred thousand dollars on very short notice. Willi Law Firm obtained a continuance of several weeks for a hearing that was set for May 27th.
April 3, 2009 - Summary Judgment Granted in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client and Agreed Judgment Signed.
In a Hays County probate case in which Willi Law Firm acquired an Order Granting Reinstatement and New Trial in June 2008, the case was set for a jury trial in April 2009. On the eve of trial, the court granted a summary judgment in favor of Willi Law Firm's client and the parties entered into an Agreed Judgment which included attorney's fees payable to Willi Law Firm's client.
February 3, 2009 - U.S. Southern District of Texas Bankruptcy Opinion in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client After Bench Trial on the Issue of Homestead.
In a bankruptcy adversary proceeding tried to the bench in July 2008, the bankruptcy court entered an order in favor of Willi Law Firm's client finding that, while the debtors' real property may be exempt as homestead with regard to the rest of the world, the homestead exemption did not apply as to Willi Law Firm's client because the debtors signed a disclaimer of homestead, did not openly use the property as a homestead but, instead, intentionally concealed any homestead use, and used the property to secure a settlement of a lawsuit. Thus, the lien, which was foreclosed upon before bankruptcy was filed, was held to be valid.
February 3, 2009 - Jury Verdict and Harris County Court at Law Judgment in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client on Sufficiency of Real Estate Description and Entitlement to Funds in Registry of Court.
In this case, which was remanded to the trial court after Willi Law Firm obtained a reversal at the Texas Supreme Court (see below), the jury entered a unanimous verdict in favor of Willi Law Firm's client determining that AIC Management owned the entire 8.511 acres of land which it purchased at a tax foreclosure sale. After the tax foreclosure sale, the City of Houston paid significant funds in an Eminent Domain proceeding to purchase the property for the Bush Intercontinental Airport expansion. AIC Management obtained a judgment to withdraw those funds from the registry of the court and to recover attorney's fees.
December 29, 2008 - Petition for Writ of Certiorari Filed in the United States Supreme Court on Parental Loss of Consortium When a Child Is Seriously Injured.
Willi Law Firm filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of Roberts v. Williamson, 11 S.W.3d 113 (Tex. 2003), in which the Texas Supreme Court concluded that Texas does not recognize a cause of action for parental loss of consortium when a child is seriously injured. While the United States Supreme Court denied the petition, the issue may still be addressed in other Texas cases. Willi Law Firm was hired after the Petition for Review had been denied, but while there was still time to file a Motion for Rehearing. Upon filing the Motion for Rehearing, the Texas Supreme Court indicated interest in the issue by requesting responsive briefing in this case involving a parent seeking loss of consortium for serious injuries to a student at Texas A&M University when the bonfire collapsed in 1999. Willi Law Firm encourages the legal community to continue to preserve error and challenge the ruling in cases where parents suffer loss of consortium when their adult child or minor child is seriously injured.
July 7, 2008 - Order in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client Granting Reinstatement and New Trial.
Willi Law Firm was hired after judgment had been entered and a motion for new trial had been denied against the clients in two related probate cases in Bastrop County, Texas. Based upon Willi Law Firm's post-trial motions, the trial court granted reinstatement and new trials in both cases.
June 6, 2008 - Order in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client Vacating Judgment.
Willi Law Firm was hired after judgment had been entered against the client in a probate case in Hays County, Texas. Based upon Willi Law Firm's post-trial motions, the trial court vacated the judgment and is currently considering whether the case should be re-tried or simply rendered in favor of Willi Law Firm's client.
April 30, 2008 - Harris County Rescinds a Writ of Execution.
Willi Law Firm was hired to file a Motion for Rehearing and, if necessary, a Petition for Review to the Texas Supreme Court after the client was defeated at the trial court and at the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston, Texas. Shortly after being hired, Willi Law Firm discovered that a writ of execution had been issued in the case. Willi Law Firm took action to prevent execution and the parties engaged in litigation in bankruptcy court on the issue of the Texas homestead exemption which has rendered the judgment uncollectable.
March 26, 2008 - Order in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client Vacating Judgment.
Willi Law Firm was hired after a jury trial and after judgment had been entered against the client in a probate case in Atascosa County, Texas. Based upon Willi Law Firm's post-trial motions, the trial court vacated its judgment. The trial court then entered a new judgment refusing to allow any tort recovery and severed the matter for a partial new trial. Willi Law Firm is challenging the remaining issues in the new judgment on appeal to the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, Texas.
January 25, 2008 - Texas Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Willi Law Firm's Client on Sufficiency of Real Property Description in AIC Management v. Crews, 246 S.W.3d 640 (Tex. 2008).
After being defeated at the trial court and at the court of appeals, AIC Management then hired Willi Law Firm to pursue a Petition for Review to the Texas Supreme Court. The issue was whether summary judgment was properly granted based upon an allegedly defective description of real property in a Sheriff's Deed issued after a tax sale. The Petition for Review was granted and the Court heard oral argument on January 23, 2007. The Texas Supreme Court reversed the lower courts and remanded the case to the trial court in Harris County, Texas for further proceedings.

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