Texas Business Court
Texas Business Court Experience
Jackson Walker is at the forefront of litigating matters before the Texas Business Court, bringing hands-on experience navigating this new, specialized forum since its launch. As one of the most active firms in the Texas Business Court during its inaugural year, Jackson Walker has represented parties across multiple divisions in high-stakes commercial disputes involving complex contractual, fiduciary duty, corporate governance, and internal‑affairs claims.
The Texas Business Court is designed to move efficiently—and often quickly. Jackson Walker is equipped to meet the pace of this specialized forum, combining experienced trial teams, streamlined staffing, and proactive case management to respond effectively to accelerated schedules, early hearings, and front‑loaded procedural requirements. We bring disciplined preparation and sound judgment to ensure speed never comes at the expense of strategy.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Jackson Walker represents clients in original proceedings and removal actions before the Texas Business Court, managing all phases of Texas business litigation—from pleadings and early jurisdictional challenges through discovery, dispositive motions, trial, and post‑judgment proceedings. Our experience across multiple divisions of the Texas Business Court allows us to tailor strategy to local practices while maintaining a cohesive, statewide approach.
Strategic Forum Counseling
We advise clients at the outset of disputes on whether the Texas Business Court is the right forum, evaluating jurisdictional thresholds, amount‑in‑controversy requirements, commencement timing, potential removal, filing fees, and procedural posture. When appropriate, we also counsel clients on alternative strategies, including litigating in Texas district court or structuring claims to better align with Texas Business Court jurisdiction—always with an eye toward efficiency, cost control, and business objectives.
Contract Drafting and Forum Selection Planning
Jackson Walker works proactively with clients to draft and incorporate forum‑selection clauses and governing documents that address Texas Business Court jurisdiction. Our guidance reflects statutory requirements and emerging case law, helping provide clients with a predictable and efficient forum for resolving business disputes.
Appeals to the Fifteenth Court of Appeals
Appeals from the Texas Business Court proceed to the Fifteenth Court of Appeals. Our trial and appellate lawyers collaborate from the earliest stages of litigation to preserve critical issues and maintain continuity through appeal, ensuring clients benefit from a coordinated strategy at every phase of the dispute.
Ongoing Insight and Thought Leadership
Jackson Walker closely monitors developments in the Texas Business Court and the Fifteenth Court of Appeals, providing timely analysis of significant opinions, procedural trends, and jurisdictional decisions on our Texas Business Court blog. This ongoing engagement enables us to deliver added value to clients by navigating a rapidly evolving area of Texas business litigation.
The Texas Business Court – A New Forum for Complex Disputes
By Byron F. Egan
A key driver behind the DExit movement is Texas’s investment in a specialized forum for complex business disputes. The Texas Business Court represents a significant shift in how commercial litigation is handled in the state.
Insights • June 3, 2026
Key Statutory Differences Between Texas and Delaware
By Byron F. Egan
Texas’s 2025 amendments to the Texas Business Organizations Code introduced several shareholder- and transaction-related rules that differ meaningfully from Delaware’s Delaware General Corporation Law. This article covers six areas where companies and investors will likely notice the biggest statutory differences when considering a reincorporation from Delaware to Texas.
Insights • May 27, 2026
Governance Under Texas Law – What Changes for Your Board
By Byron F. Egan
Reincorporating in Texas does more than change a company’s state of formation, it reshapes the legal framework governing directors and officers. This article highlights how Texas law approaches fiduciary duties, board decision-making, and litigation exposure compared to Delaware.
Insights • May 20, 2026
“DExit” Explained – Why Companies Are Leaving Delaware for Texas
By Byron F. Egan
A growing number of companies are leaving Delaware and reincorporating in Texas, a movement colloquially known as “DExit.” Inspired by “Brexit,” the term describes a transaction in which a company exits Delaware as its state of formation and redomiciles in another state, most often Texas or Nevada.
Insights • May 15, 2026
Texas Business Court Enforces Noncompete—But Rejects Trade Secret and Nonsolicitation Claims
By Chris Bankler
In Galderma Laboratories, L.P. v. Brenner, Cause No. 26-BC08B-0003 (Tex. Bus. Ct., Mar. 12, 2026), Judge Stagner addressed a familiar scenario in business litigation: a senior executive leaves and immediately joins a direct competitor.
Insights • March 20, 2026
Texas Business Court Finds Jurisdiction Over Employee-Raid Case Based on Managerial-Official Allegations and Intellectual-Property Nexus
By Chris Bankler
In Alamo Title Company v. WFG National Title Company of Texas, LLC, the Texas Business Court denied a motion to remand and held that the dispute fell within the court’s jurisdiction under Chapter 25A. The opinion offers a detailed discussion of the Texas Business Court’s topical jurisdiction provisions, concluding that the lawsuit satisfied the statute through two independent pathways.
Insights • March 20, 2026
Byron Egan Featured in The Texas Lawbook on ExxonMobil’s Move to Texas
Jackson Walker partner Byron F. Egan was featured in The Texas Lawbook discussing ExxonMobil’s announcement that its board will seek shareholder approval to redomicile the company from New Jersey to Texas.
Mentions • March 11, 2026
Q: What are the Texas Business Courts?
A: The Texas Business Courts are a new system of specialty trial courts established to handle complex business disputes. The Texas Legislature created the courts through House Bill 19 (HB 19) and Senate Bill 1045 (SB 1045) and became operational for actions commenced on or after September 1, 2024.
Q: Where are the Texas Business Courts located?
A: Initially, the Texas Business Courts are established in major metropolitan areas, including Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and Houston. There are plans to expand to other regions in the future.
Q: What types of cases do the Texas Business Courts handle?
A: The Texas Business Courts handle a wide range of business disputes, including contract disputes, fiduciary duty claims, corporate governance issues, derivative proceedings, and securities claims. The courts have jurisdiction over cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $5 million or $10 million, depending on the nature of the case.
Q: Are there any cases that the Texas Business Courts do not handle?
A: Yes, the Texas Business Courts do not have jurisdiction over health care liability claims, claims for bodily injury or death, legal malpractice claims, and certain other specified claims such as those involving consumer transactions or insurance policies.
Q: Can cases be transferred to the Texas Business Courts from other courts?
A: Yes, cases that meet the jurisdictional criteria can be transferred to the Texas Business Courts from other Texas trial courts. There are specific procedures for filing cases directly in the Business Courts or moving cases from other courts.
Q: Are jury trials available in the Texas Business Courts?
A: Yes, parties in actions pending in the Business Courts have the right to a trial by jury when required by the constitution.
Q: Who appoints the judges for the Texas Business Courts?
A: Judges for the Texas Business Courts are appointed by the Governor of Texas with the advice and consent of the Senate. Judges are appointed for an initial term of two years and may be reappointed.
Q: How are appeals from the Texas Business Courts handled?
A: Appeals from the Texas Business Courts are heard by the newly created Fifteenth Court of Appeals, which has exclusive intermediate jurisdiction over such matters. This court is in Austin, Texas, and initially comprises a chief justice and four other justices.
Q: Will the Texas Business Courts issue written opinions?
A: Yes, judges in the Texas Business Courts are expected to issue written opinions explaining their decisions. This practice aims to enhance the predictability of legal issues and provide concrete guidance on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and business transactions.
Q: Are there any special procedures for the Texas Business Courts?
A: Yes, the Texas Business Courts are creating streamlined procedures and enhanced case management techniques tailored to the unique needs of commercial litigation.
