Court Opinion

ID: 4052828
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-29 02:13:53.240348+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:31:22.764063
License: Public Domain

ACCEPTED
                                                                       01-14-00482-cv
                                                             FIRST COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                     HOUSTON, TEXAS
                                                                  2/23/2015 3:28:15 PM
                                                                   CHRISTOPHER PRINE
                                                                                CLERK

            NO. 01-14-00482-CV
                                                       FILED IN
                                                1st COURT OF APPEALS
                                                    HOUSTON, TEXAS
            IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
                                                2/23/2015 3:28:15 PM
         FOR THE FIRST DISTRICT OF TEXAS        CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE
                                                        Clerk

                   RSL-3B-IL, LTD.

                          v.

 THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE CO. OF AMERICA, ET AL.

          ON APPEAL FROM THE 269TH JUDICIAL
        DISTRICT COURT OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS

   RSL-3B-IL, LTD.’S UNOPPOSED SECOND MOTION
TO EXTEND TIME TO FILE REPLY BRIEF OF APPELLANT

                               E. John Gorman
                               State Bar No. 08217560
                               jgorman@feldlaw.com
                               John R. Craddock
                               State Bar No. 04969800
                               jcraddock@feldlaw.com
                               THE FELDMAN LAW FIRM LLP
                               Two Post Oak Central
                               1980 Post Oak Boulevard, Ste. 1900
                               Houston, TX 77056-3877
                               Telephone: (713) 850-0700
                               Facsimile: (713) 850-8530

                               COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT
                               RSL-3B-IL, LTD.
MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT:

      Appellant RSL-3B-IL, Ltd. (“RSL-3B”) moves the Court for another 20-day

extension of time to file its reply brief due to the illness of its counsel. See TEX. R.

APP. P. 10.5(b), 38.6(d). The extended deadline of Monday, March 16, 2015 will roll

over from a weekend due date. Id. 4.1(a). A serious medical condition suffices as a

“reasonable explanation” to support this second request for extending the deadline

for filing the reply brief of appellant in this ordinary appeal.

      1.     On February 3, 2015, the Court extended the deadline for RSL-3B to file

its reply brief to Monday, February 23, 2015. See TEX. R. APP. P. 10.5(b)(1)(A),

38.6(a). In the interim, counsel for RSL-3B, E. John Gorman, fell seriously ill from

an infection in his lower left leg (cellulitis). Doctors also suspected a blood clot. Mr.

Gorman’s medical condition required a trip to the emergency room, two ultrasound

tests, heavy doses of antibiotics, and multiple visits with his physician.

      2.     RSL-3B respectfully requests more time to file its reply brief because of

these extenuating circumstances. Mr. Gorman has missed the last two weeks of work,

thereby eating up most of the previous extension. Nor can Mr. Gorman work

extended hours at this point in his recovery. Rule 38.6(d) authorizes RSL-3B to move

for an extension “before or after the date the brief is due.” See TEX. R. APP. P.

38.6(d). RSL-3B is in turn meeting this time frame.

                                            2
      3.     This series of events represents a “mischance” that plausibly states

circumstances justifying an extension. Cf. Hone v. Hanafin, 104 S.W.3d 884, 886

(Tex. 2003) (per curiam). Mr. Gorman’s illness reasonably explains the need for

more time. As such, RSL-3B neither deliberately nor intentionally caused any delay

in the current briefing schedule. See id.

      4.     Under Rule 10’s “liberal standard” for extensions, RSL-3B has carried

its burden as the movant in reasonably explaining the basis for relief. Id. at 886-87;

see TEX. R. APP. P. 10.5(b)(1)(c). According to the supreme court, “any conduct

short of deliberate or intentional noncompliance qualifies as inadvertence, mistake,

or mischance.” Hone, 104 S.W.3d at 886-87. The facts recited by this motion clear

this low hurdle.

      5.     The Court should construe the procedural rules liberally and follow the

prevailing rule in Texas that calls for reaching and deciding the merits of this appeal.

See Republic Underwriters Ins. Co. v. Mex-Tex, Inc., 150 S.W.3d 423, 427 (Tex.

2004).

      6.     As the certificate of conference verifies, neither of the appellees that

filed a brief opposes the relief sought by this motion. The facts giving rise to RSL-

3B’s second request for an extension as to the reply brief fall within its appellate

counsel’s personal knowledge. See TEX. R. APP. P. 10.2(c).

                                            3
      RSL-3B prays the Court will grant the relief requested by this motion and

extend the time to file the reply brief of appellant to Monday, March 16, 2015.

                                              Respectfully submitted,

                                               /s/ E. John Gorman
                                              E. John Gorman
                                              State Bar No. 08217560
                                              jgorman@feldlaw.com
                                              John R. Craddock
                                              State Bar No. 04969800
                                              jcraddock@feldlaw.com
                                              THE FELDMAN LAW FIRM LLP
                                              Two Post Oak Central
                                              1980 Post Oak Boulevard, Ste. 1900
                                              Houston, TX 77056-3877
                                              (713) 850-0700
                                              (713) 850-8530 (fax)

                                              COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT
                                              RSL-3B-IL, LTD.

                      CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE

       I certify contacting counsel for all of the appellees, Stephen Harris, by email
on Monday, February 23, 2015, about the relief sought by this motion, which his
clients do not oppose.

                                              /s/ E. John Gorman
                                              E. John Gorman

                                          4
                          CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

        I certify delivering a true and correct copy of this second motion for extension
as to the reply brief to all counsel of record on February 23, 2015, in compliance with
Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.5:

Patrick Larkin
THE LARKIN LAW FIRM PC
11200 Broadway Street, Suite 2705
Pearland, Texas 77584

Stephen R. Harris
DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP
One Logan Square, Suite 2000
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Counsel For The Prudential Appellees

Earl Nesbitt
NESBITT, VASSAR & MCCOWN, LLP
15851 Dallas Parkway, Suite 800
Addison, Texas 75001

Counsel for Settlement Capital Corporation

                                                  /s/ E. John Gorman
                                                  E. John Gorman

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