ExxonMobil Defeats Personal Jurisdiction Challenge in Texas State Court

Paul, Weiss client ExxonMobil filed a petition in Texas state court for pre-suit discovery from several California municipalities and their representatives to determine whether they violated ExxonMobil’s First Amendment rights by filing pretextual lawsuits against ExxonMobil and several other energy companies. The respondents filed special appearances, challenging the Texas state court’s personal jurisdiction over them, and oral argument on those motions was held. Less than a week later, Judge R.H. Wallace Jr. denied all of the special appearances.  

The Paul, Weiss team representing ExxonMobil in connection with the Rule 202 petition includes, among others, litigation partners Ted Wells, Daniel Toal and Jaren Janghorbani.