Jennifer Caughey

Partner, Houston
713.752.4388
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Practice Experience Client Results Recognition & Involvement Opinions Authored

Biography

Jennifer Caughey is a former Justice on Texas’s First Court of Appeals and current chair of Jackson Walker’s appellate section. Justice Caughey leverages her diverse experience on both sides of the bench to litigate complex cases at the appellate and trial levels.

Justice Caughey represents clients in complex matters in state and federal courts. She handles high-stakes commercial litigation, with a focus on appeals. She has particular expertise in issues involving statutory and contractual interpretation, constitutional law, healthcare, insurance, energy, administrative law, and professional liability.

She has an active and vibrant practice. Clients trust her to handle their high-stakes, bet-the-company appeals. On the state level, she represents clients in major matters across Texas, including at the Texas Supreme Court, in various Texas Courts of Appeals, and in trial courts. Her federal practice is equally notable. She represents clients in federal courts, including handling appeals in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First, Fifth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits, as well as matters in federal district courts.

As a Justice on Texas’s First Court of Appeals, Jennifer handled a broad docket of civil and criminal appeals from Harris County and nine surrounding counties. Justice Caughey authored more than 125 opinions (half signed, half per curiam) spanning questions of civil, criminal, family, and probate law. She actively contributed to 454 cases.

Justice Caughey earned her degrees from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. After law school, she clerked for the Honorable Timothy M. Tymkovich, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and Justice Robert J. Cordy of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

Before serving on the bench, Justice Caughey spent years developing a sophisticated appellate and trial practice at nationally renowned litigation firms.

Education

A.B., Princeton University

  • Phi Beta Kappa

J.D., Harvard Law School

  • Executive Editor, Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy
  • Board of Student Advisors, Legal Research and Writing Instructor

Bar Admissions

Texas

New York

District of Columbia

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First, Fifth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits

Practice Experience Client Results Recognition & Involvement Opinions Authored

Texas:

  • Examples of Texas Supreme Court recent successes:
    • Successfully represented client in high-stakes appeal to Texas Supreme Court concerning contract interpretation. Secured complete appellate victory.
    • Successfully represented client in mandamus to Texas Supreme Court concerning trial procedure and Covid issues. Secured victory.
    • Successfully represented client in Texas Supreme Court statutory-interpretation appeal of en banc Court of Appeals decision; appeal resolved favorably while pending.
    • Successfully represented client at the Texas Supreme Court in complex appeal concerning defamation, the First Amendment, and statutory interpretation.
    • Successfully represented amici in Texas Supreme Court concerning important workers compensation question; obtained victory.
  • Examples of appeals pending in the Texas Supreme Court:
    • Represents client in Texas Supreme Court on widely applicable contract and tort questions. Case is in the merits briefing stage.
    • Represents client before Texas Supreme Court in case concerning substantial evidence review, administrative law, and statutory interpretation. Case is in the merits briefing stage.
    • Represents Texas Central Railroad & Infrastructure and Integrated Texas Logistics in high speed rail, major appeal in the Texas Supreme Court. The appeal has been fully briefed.
    • Represents client in Texas Supreme Court on important questions concerning expert requirements and negligence; we are currently seeking review.
    • Represents clients in various mandamus proceedings before appellate courts and the Texas Supreme Court, including two recent Texas Supreme Court mandamus proceedings.
    • Represents amici in various Texas Supreme Court matters:
  • Examples of recent Texas intermediate appellate court matters:
    • Successfully represented major insurance company in intermediate appellate court.
    • Successfully represented Texas Central Railroad & Infrastructure and Integrated Texas Logistics in major appeal in court of appeals.
    • Successfully represented client in Texas intermediate appellate court in complex appeal concerning defamation, the First Amendment, and statutory interpretation.
    • Successfully obtained en banc intermediate appellate court review of major statutory interpretation question; case resolved favorably.
    • Representing Targa in high-value appeal to intermediate court of appeals.
    • Representing midstream company in high-stakes appeal to court of appeals.
    • Representing client in appeal concerning complex questions of nuisance and injunction law.
    • Successfully represented company in administrative appeal involving rate-setting, energy issues, and questions of administrative law. Case resolved favorably.
  • Examples of trial work:
    • Successfully obtained take nothing verdict for defense in major, high-stakes trial through jury charge strategy.
    • Currently represent client as appellate counsel in major trial pending in trial court.
    • Represented company in a suit filed by an alleged finder who claimed to be entitled to a multimillion-dollar finder’s fee. Case resolved favorably.
    • Defended major accounting firm against $250+ million fraud and negligence claims.
    • Represented company in case involving breach of a licensing agreement and tortious interference, among other claims. Case resolved favorably.

U.S.

  • First Circuit:
    • Represents client in appeal in the US Court of Appeals to the First Circuit; appeal concerns agency deference and complex federal questions.
  • Fifth Circuit:
    • Successfully challenged agency order on appeal to US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; agency ultimately withdrew its order in full.
    • Successfully represented client in appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit raising issues concerning statutory interpretation and jurisdiction.
    • Currently representing client in administrative appeal involving questions of textual interpretation and deference.
  • Sixth Circuit:
    • Representing client on appeal concerning questions of the scope and interpretation of arbitration agreements; appeal will have widespread effect across industry.
  • Ninth Circuit:
    • Successfully represented major joint defense group in complex CERCLA appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Case resolved favorably while appeal was pending, on the eve of argument.
    • Represents client in United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on questions concerning procedure.
  • Tenth Circuit:
    • Successfully convinced U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit to hear permissive appeal in major $100+ million case.
    • Handling major appeal pending now in 15-year, major antitrust lawsuit. Briefed and argued the case. Appeal is pending.
  • Trial Court:
    • Successfully represented client in major class action defense in California federal court.
    • Currently representing client in high-stakes federal IP trial court matter.
    • Defended client from inception of case in a $100+ million breach of contract case; resolved favorably after appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Houston Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Texas Bar Association, Appellate Section, Committee Chair
  • Houston Bar Association, Appellate Section, Judicial Liaison, 2017-2018
  • Rising Star, Super Lawyers – Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2015-2017, 2020
  • Choice of lawyers who participated in the Houston Bar Association’s Judicial Preference Poll, 2018

Example opinions written by Justice Jennifer Caughey when she served as a Justice on Texas’s First Court of Appeals include:

  • Texas Educ. Agency v. S.E.H., 571 S.W.3d 372 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018)
  • Turner v. Left Gate Prop. Holdings, LLC, No. 01-17-00560-CV, 2018 WL 6205811 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 29, 2018)
  • Phuthavong v. State, No. 01-17-00420-CR, 2018 WL 6215992 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 29, 2018)
  • Vasquez v. State, No. 01-17-00597-CR, 2018 WL 6216025 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 29, 2018)
  • Moton v. State, No. 01-17-00572-CR, 2018 WL 6205835 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 29, 2018)
  • Kenyon Int’l Emergency Servs., Inc. v. Starr Indemnity & Liab. Co., No. 01-17-00386-CV, 2018 WL 6241461 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 29, 2018)
  • West v. State, No. 01-17-00933-CR, 2018 WL 6175115 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 27, 2018)
  • Dept. of Public Safety v. Marshall, 570 S.W.3d 315 (Tex. App—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018)
  • Cantu v. State, No. 01-17-00749-CR, 2018 WL 6175315 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 27, 2018)
  • Singletary v. State, No. 01-17-00241-CR, No. 01-17-00242-CR, 2018 WL 6175308 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 27, 2018)
  • IPFS Corp. v. Lopez, No. 01-18-00145-CV, 2018 WL 6175119 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 27, 2018)
  • Bell v. State, 569 S.W.3d 241 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018)
  • In re J.D.R.G., No. 01-18-00469-CV, 2018 WL 6175321 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 27, 2018)
  • Turner v. State, No. 01-17-00563-CR, 2018 WL 5986440 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 15, 2018)
  • Gandy v. Flores, No. 01-17-00440-CV, 2018 WL 5289133 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Oct. 25, 2018)
  • Machetta v. Millard, No. 01-17-00857-CV, 2018 WL 5289336 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Oct. 25, 2018)
  • Porter-Garcia v. Travis Law Firm, P.C., 564 S.W.3d 75 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018)
  • Young v. State, 563 S.W.3d 325 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018)
  • Karimi v. State, No. 01-17-00536-CR, 2018 WL 3733008 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Aug. 7, 2018)
  • Brazoria Drainage Dist. No. 4 v. Matties, No. 01-17-00422-CV, 2018 WL 3468531 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 19, 2018)
  • Zoanni v. Hogan, 555 S.W.3d 321 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 19, 2018)
  • Dortch v. Boxer Prop. Mgmt. Corp., No. 01-17-00148-CV, 2018 WL 3431733 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 17, 2018)
  • Hotze v. Hotze, No. 01-18-00039-CV, 2018 WL 3431587 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 17, 2018)
  • Kenyon Int’l Emergency Servs., Inc. v. Starr Indemnity & Liab. Co., No 01-17-00386-CV, 2018 WL 3431853 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 17, 2018)
  • Gore Family Ltd. P’ship, Ltd. v. Gore, No. 01-17-00165-CV, 2018 WL 3384554 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 12, 2018)
  • Cook v. Broussard, No. 01-17-00943-CV, 2018 WL 3384638 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 12, 2018)
  • Coleman v. State, No. 01-16-00252-CR, 2018 WL 3384545 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 12, 2018)
  • Donley v. Payne, No. 01-17-00451-CV, 2018 WL 3384561 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 12, 2018)
  • Urquhart v. Calkins, No. 01-17-00256-CV, 2018 WL 3352919 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 10, 2018)
  • Shaw v. Harris Cty. Guardianship Program, No. 01-17-00214-CV, 2018 WL 3233237 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 3, 2018)
  • In re J.I.G., No. 01-18-00023-CV, 2018 WL 3233874 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 3, 2018)
  • Molina v. State, No. 01-17-00075-CR, 2018 WL 3150419 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 28, 2018)
  • Raiden Commodities, LP v. De Man, No. 010-00181-CV, 2018 WL 3151004 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 28, 2018)
  • Martinez v. State, No. 01-17-00297-CR, 2018 WL 3059786 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 21, 2018)
  • Iasis Healthcare Corp. v. Pean, No. 01-17-00638-CV, 2018 WL 3059789 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 21, 2018)
  • Ullico Cas. Co. v. Pelco Constr. Co., Inc., No. 01-17-00034-CV, 2018 WL 2976109 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 14, 2018)
  • Paschall v. State, No. 01-17-00217-CR, 2018 WL 2976120 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 14, 2018)
  • Suza v. State, No. 01-17-00116-CR, 2018 WL 2976112 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 14, 2018)
  • Ybarra v. Ameripro Funding, Inc., No. 01-17-00224-CV, 2018 WL 2976126 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 14, 2018)
  • Lopez v. State, No. 01-17-00319-CR, 2018 WL 2925884 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 12, 2018)
  • In re J.V.B., No. 01-17-00958-CV, 2018 WL 2727732 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 7, 2018)
  • Castello v. State, 555 S.W.3d 612 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018)
  • Alanis v. State, No. 01-16-00797-CR, 2018 WL 2643099 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 5, 2018)
  • Simpson v. State, 548 S.W.3d 708 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018)
  • Joyner v. State, 548 S.W.3d 731 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018)
  • Perilla-Vargas v. Baylor Coll. of Med., No. 01-17-00018-CV, 2018 WL 1720667 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 10, 2018)
  • Bertrand v. Holland, No. 01-16-00946-CV, 2018 WL 1720742 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 10, 2018)
  • In re Commitment of Hood, No. 01-16-00866-CV, 2018 WL 1633330 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 5, 2018)
  • Rodriguez v. State, 546 S.W.3d 843 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018)
  • In re C.R., No. 01-17-00725-CV, 2018 WL 1161810 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 6, 2018)
  • Kyle v. Hillery, No. 01-16-01000-CV, 2018 Wl 1003807 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 22, 2018)
  • Mitchell v. State, 546 S.W.3d 780 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018)
  • Garcia v. State, No. 01-17-00171-CR, 2018 WL 827452 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 13, 2018)
  • Villalpando v. State, No. 01-16-00593-CR, 2018 WL 708534 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 6, 2018)
  • Roadmasters Transport Co., LLC v. Saens, No. 01-16-00813-CV, 2018 WL 650291 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Feb. 1, 2018)
  • Robinson v. State, No. 01-16-00565-CR, 2018 WL 454751 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 18, 2018)
  • Longoria v. State, No. 01-16-00689-CR, 2018 WL 327107 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 9, 2018)
  • Nguyen v. State, No. 01-16-00941-CR, 2017 WL 6519910 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 21, 2017)
  • Porter v. State, 540 S.W.3d 178 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2017)