Opinion ID: 1868556
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: We have concurrent jurisdiction with the Texas courts of appeals to grant mandamus relief; however, the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure mandate a relator first seek relief in the court of appeals. Tex. Gov't Code §§ 22.220(a)-22.221. Nonetheless, a party can bypass the court of appeals if compelling reasons exist for this Court to grant relief. Tex.R.App. P. 52.3(e). [1] Under Article II, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution and section 81.011(c) of the State Bar Act, the Texas Supreme Court has the power to regulate the practice of law in the State of Texas. Tex. Const. art. II, § 1; Tex. Gov't Code § 81.011(c). The State Bar Act gives this Court administrative control over the State Bar and provides a statutory mechanism for promulgating regulations governing the practice of law. State Bar of Texas v. Gomez, 891 S.W.2d 243, 245 (Tex. 1994) (citing Tex. Gov't Code § 81.011(c)). Furthermore, we have inherent regulatory powers, derived from Article II, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution, which dictate separation of powers and implies our supervisory role in regulating the legal practice. See Eichelberger v. Eichelberger, 582 S.W.2d 395, 398-99 (Tex.1979). Based on these powers, we promulgated a regulatory scheme in which the power to regulate the practice of law is delegated to BODA. Tex.R. Disciplinary P. 1.01-15.13; see also Tex.R. Disciplinary P. pmbl. Here, BODA's mandamus request presents issues of statewide importance. Because the district court disregarded the fact that we previously affirmed Watson's BODA judgment, we believe that BODA has presented compelling reasons for bypassing the court of appeals and seeking mandamus relief directly before this Court. Thus, we exercise jurisdiction in this matter.