Robert B.  Gilbreath
Publications

Texas Law Controls That Issue(?) Don’t Bet on It

Winter 2014Article
The Appellate Advocate, Vol. 27, No. 2

You’ve no doubt heard it argued. Maybe you’ve argued it yourself. “Ohio [e.g.] law controls substantive issues, but this a procedural [or remedial] matter, and Texas law therefore controls.” See Arkoma Basin Exploration Co. v. FMF Assocs. 1990-A, Ltd., 249 S.W.3d 380, 387 (Tex. 2008) (explaining that Texas courts ordinarily follow local procedure when applying the other state’s substantive law). Don’t make, or accept, this argument blithely—there’s a very good chance it’s wrong.