Supreme Court

Case: 24-0385    
24-0385
05/10/2024
Petition for Review/Cause under Tex. R. App. P. 59.1
GREG ABBOTT, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF TEXAS; STEPHANIE MUTH, IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES; AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES 
JANE DOE, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS PARENT AND NEXT FRIEND OF MARY DOE, A MINOR; JOHN DOE, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS PARENT AND NEXT FRIEND OF MARY DOE, A MINOR; AND DR. MEGAN MOONEY 
Appellate Briefs
Date▲▼Event Type▲▼Description▲▼RemarksDocument
03/09/2026Amicus Curiae Letter ReceivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Letter Brief received from Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
03/06/2026Amicus Curiae Letter ReceivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Letter Brief received from Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
10/17/2025Amicus Curiae Brief receivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Brief received on behalf of Alliance Defending Freedom submitted by Natalie D. Thompson of Alliance Defending Freedom of Washington D.C.
08/25/2025Amicus Curiae Brief receivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Brief received on behalf of American Oversight submitted by Charles "Chad" Baruch of Johnston Tobey Baruch, P.C. of Dallas, Texas.
08/15/2025Amicus Curiae Brief receivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Brief received on behalf of National Center for Youth Law, et al., submitted by Lisa Hobbs of LBH Law PLLC, Austin, Texas, et al.
08/15/2025Amicus Curiae Brief receivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Letter received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
08/11/2025Brief on the MeritsPetitioner Reply Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Greg Abbot, et al.
07/10/2025Fully hyperlinked brief filedRespondent Hyperlinked Response Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
07/07/2025Brief on the MeritsRespondent Response Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
04/16/2025Brief on the MeritsPetitioner Petitioners' Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
03/12/2025Amicus Curiae Brief receivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Letter Brief received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
02/10/2025Amicus Curiae Letter ReceivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Letter Brief received from Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
02/03/2025Amicus Curiae Letter ReceivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Letter Brief received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
12/31/2024Amicus Curiae Letter ReceivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Letter Brief received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
12/13/2024Response to PetitionRespondent Response to Petition for Review filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
11/24/2024Amicus Curiae Letter ReceivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Letter received on behalf of Ron Beal.
08/01/2024Amicus Curiae Letter ReceivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Letter received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
07/10/2024Petition for ReviewPetitioner Petition for Review filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
05/15/2024Amicus Curiae Letter ReceivedReceived (instead of filed) Second Amicus Curiae Letter received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
05/13/2024Amicus Curiae Letter ReceivedReceived (instead of filed) Amicus Curiae Letter received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
Case Events
Date▲▼Event Type▲▼Disposition▲▼RemarksDocument
12/31/2024Amicus Curiae Letter Received  Amicus Curiae Letter Brief received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
12/30/2025Designation of Lead Counsel   Substitution of Lead Counsel filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
12/13/2024Response to Petition  Response to Petition for Review filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
12/11/2024Letter Filed  Letter advising Court that Baker Botts L.L.P. first became involved in this matter on February 27, 2022, filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
11/24/2024Amicus Curiae Letter Received  Amicus Curiae Letter received on behalf of Ron Beal.
11/06/2024Motion for Extension of Time to File Response disposedFiling granted Second Motion for Extension of Time to file Response to Petition for Review is granted. Response is due no later than December 13, 2024. Further requests for extensions of time for this filing will not be considered.
11/06/2024Motion for Extension of Time to File Response  Unopposed Second Motion for Extension of Time to file Response to Petition for Review filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
10/17/2025Amicus Curiae Brief received  Amicus Curiae Brief received on behalf of Alliance Defending Freedom submitted by Natalie D. Thompson of Alliance Defending Freedom of Washington D.C.
10/07/2024Motion for Extension of Time to File Response disposedFiling granted Motion for Extension of Time to file Response to Petition for Review is granted. Response is due November 13, 2024. Further requests for extensions of time for this filing will be disfavored.
10/07/2024Pro hac vice motion disposedFiling granted Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Omar Gonzalez-Pagan is granted.
10/07/2024Pro hac vice motion disposedFiling granted Motion of Resident Attorney in Support of Omar Gonzalez-Pagan's Admission Pro Hac Vice is granted.
10/07/2024Pro hac vice motion filed  Motion in Support of Omar Gonzalez-Pagan's Admission Pro Hac Vice filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
10/07/2024Pro hac vice motion filed  Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Omar Gonzalez-Pagan filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
10/04/2024Pro hac vice motion disposedFiling granted Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Elizabeth Gill is granted.
10/04/2024Pro hac vice motion disposedFiling granted Motion of Resident Attorney in Support of Elizabeth Gill’s Admission Pro Hac Vice is granted.
10/03/2024Pro hac vice motion filed  Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Elizabeth Gill filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
10/03/2024Pro hac vice motion filed  Motion In Support of Elizabeth Gill's Admission Pro Hac Vice filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
10/03/2024Pro hac vice motion disposedFiling granted Motion of Resident Attorney in Support of Karen L. Loewy’s Admission Pro Hac Vice is granted.
10/03/2024Pro hac vice motion disposedFiling granted Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Karen L. Loewy is granted.
10/03/2024Pro hac vice motion filed  Motion of Resident Attorney in support of Karen L. Loewy's Admission Pro Hac Vice filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
10/03/2024Pro hac vice motion filed  Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Karen L. Loewy filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
10/02/2024Electronic communication sent to Party  E-mail sent to Respondent regarding pending pro hac vice motions.
09/27/2024Motion for Extension of Time to File Response  Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to file Response to Petition for Review filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
09/13/2024Supreme Court of Texas Requested Response  Requested response to petition for review due no later than October 14, 2024.
08/25/2025Amicus Curiae Brief received  Amicus Brief received on behalf of American Oversight submitted by Charles "Chad" Baruch of Johnston Tobey Baruch, P.C. of Dallas, Texas.
08/15/2025Amicus Curiae Brief received  Amicus Curiae Brief received on behalf of National Center for Youth Law, et al., submitted by Lisa Hobbs of LBH Law PLLC, Austin, Texas, et al.
08/15/2025Pro hac vice motion disposedFiling granted Motion of Resident Attorney in Support of Jean Strout's Admission Pro Hac Vice is granted.
08/15/2025Pro hac vice motion disposedFiling granted Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Jean Strout is granted.
08/15/2025Pro hac vice motion filed  Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Jean Strout filed on behalf of the National Center for Youth Law, et al.
08/15/2025Pro hac vice motion filed  Motion in support of Jean Strout's Admission Pro Hac Vice filed on behalf of National Center for Youth Law, et al.
08/15/2025Amicus Curiae Brief received  Amicus Curiae Letter received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
08/13/2024Case forwarded to Court 
08/11/2025Brief on the Merits  Reply Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Greg Abbot, et al.
08/08/2024Response Waiver filed  Response Waiver filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
08/01/2024Amicus Curiae Letter Received  Amicus Curiae Letter received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
07/21/2025Motion for Extension of Time disposed.Filing granted Motion for Extension of Time to file Reply Brief on the Merits is granted. Reply Brief is due August 11, 2025. FURTHER REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS OF TIME FOR THIS FILING WILL BE DISFAVORED.
07/19/2025Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to file Reply Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
07/10/2025Fully hyperlinked brief filed  Hyperlinked Response Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
07/10/2024Appendix to any instrument  Appendix to Petition for Review filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
07/10/2024Petition for Review  Petition for Review filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
07/07/2025Brief on the Merits  Response Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
06/05/2026Mandate issued  Mandate & Cost Bill Issued
06/04/2024Second Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review disposedFiling granted Second Motion for Extension of Time to file Petition for Review is granted. Petition for Review is due July 10, 2024. Further requests for extensions of time for this filing will be disfavored.
06/04/2024Second Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review filed  Second Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to file Petition for Review filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
05/23/2025Motion for Extension of Time disposed.Filing granted Second Motion for Extension of Time to file Response Brief on the Merits is granted. Response Brief on the Merits is due July 7, 2025. Further requests for extensions of time for this filing will not be considered. Reply Brief is due July 22, 2025.
05/23/2025Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  Unopposed Second Motion for Extension of Time to file Response Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
05/15/2024Amicus Curiae Letter Received  Second Amicus Curiae Letter received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
05/13/2024Amicus Curiae Letter Received  Amicus Curiae Letter received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
05/10/2024Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review disposedFiling granted in part Motion for Extension of Time to file Petition for Review is granted in part. Petition for Review is due June 10, 2024.
05/10/2024Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review filed  Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to file Petition for Review filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
05/10/2024Court reporter/recorder's record 
05/10/2024Court reporter/recorder's record 
05/10/2024Clerk's Record 
04/29/2025Motion for Extension of Time disposed.Filing granted Motion for Extension of Time to file Respondents' Brief on the Merits granted. Further requests for extensions of time will be disfavored. Respondents' brief is due no later than June 5, 2025; and Reply brief is due June 20, 2025.
04/28/2025Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  Motion for Extension of Time to file Respondents' Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Jane Doe, et al.
04/24/2026Court approved judgment sent to attorneys of recordIssued
04/24/2026Concurring Opinion issued.Issued Chief Justice Blacklock filed a concurring opinion.
04/24/2026Opinion issuedCourt of Appeals' judgment reversed Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 59.1, after granting the petitions for review and without hearing oral argument, the Court reverses the court of appeals' judgments and vacates the trial court's orders. Per Curiam Opinion (Justice Sullivan not participating)
(4/24/2026 11:24:32 AM) 240384_240385c.pdf, 240384_240385pc.pdf, 24-0385.jmt.pdf
04/24/2026Petition for Review disposedPetition granted pursuant to TRAP 59.1
04/24/2026Petition for Review granted under TRAP 59.1 
04/16/2025Brief on the Merits  Petitioners' Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
04/01/2025Motion for Extension of Time disposed.Filing granted Second Motion for Extension of Time to File Consolidated Petitioners' Brief on the Merits is granted.  Consolidated Petitioners' brief due April 16, 2025; FURTHER REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS OF TIME FOR THIS FILING WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Respondents' brief due May 6, 2025. Reply brief due May 21, 2025.
04/01/2025Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  Unopposed Second Motion for Extension of Time to file Consolidated Petitioners' Brief on the Merits is filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
04/01/2025Call received  Call from counsel regarding filing motion for extension of time in cases consolidated for briefing. Counsel will file motion in both cases.
03/12/2025Amicus Curiae Brief received  Amicus Curiae Letter Brief received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
03/09/2026Amicus Curiae Letter Received  Amicus Curiae Letter Brief received from Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
03/06/2026Amicus Curiae Letter Received  Amicus Curiae Letter Brief received from Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
03/05/2025Motion for Extension of Time disposed.Filing granted Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Consolidated Briefs granted.  Consolidated Petitioner's brief due no later than April 2, 2025; Respondents' brief due April 22, 2025; Reply brief due May 7, 2025. Further requests for extensions of time for this filing is disfavored.
02/27/2025Motion for Extension of Time to File Brief filed  Unopposed Motion to Consolidate and Extension of Time to File Consolidated Briefs filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
02/10/2025Amicus Curiae Letter Received  Amicus Curiae Letter Brief received from Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
02/03/2025Notice of Appearance  Notice of Appearance filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
02/03/2025Amicus Curiae Letter Received  Amicus Curiae Letter Brief received on behalf of Ron Beal of Waco, Texas.
01/31/2025Brief on the Merits Ordered  Brief on the merits requested: Petitioner's brief on the merits due no later than March 3, 2025; Response brief due March 24, 2025; Reply brief due April 8, 2025.
01/22/2025Letter Filed  Letter filed on behalf of Greg Abbott, et al.
01/15/2025Motion to withdraw disposed ofFiling granted Motion to Withdraw as Counsel is granted.
01/15/2025Motion to Withdraw Filed  Motion to Withdraw as Counsel filed on behalf of Stephanie Muth, et al.
Calendars
Set Date▲▼Calendar Type▲▼Reason Set▲▼Remarks▲▼
06/05/2026Case StoredCase stored.e-stored
Parties
Party▲▼Party Type▲▼Representative▲▼
Mooney, MeganRespondentMs. Madeleine Dwertman
Mr. Paul Castillo
M. Currey Cook
Ms. Karen L. Loewy
Mr. Omar Gonzalez-Pagan
Ms. Shelly L. Skeen
Andre Segura
Camilla B. Taylor
Nicholas Guillory
Chase Strangio
Nischay Bhan
Mr. Brian Klosterboer
Mr. Derek R. McDonald
American OversightAmicus CuriaeMr. Charles (Chad) E. Baruch
The Texas Department of Family And Protective ServicesPetitionerMr. Aaron Nielson
Mr. Joseph Mazzara
Ms. Natalie Thompson
Mr. Brent Webster
Jacob Beach
Atty. Gen. W. Kenneth Paxton Jr.
Ms. Lanora C. Pettit
National Center for Youth Law, The Texas Civil Rights Project, Equal Rights Advocates, Juvenile Law Center, Public Counsel, The Women's Law Project, Foster Care Advocacy Center, Amicus CuriaeMs. Jean Strout
Ms. Christina Beeler
Ms. Karlene D. Poll
Ms. Lisa Hobbs
Mr. Dustin Rynders
Alliance Defending FreedomAmicus CuriaeMs. Natalie Thompson
Stephanie Muth in her Official Capacity of Commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective ServicesPetitionerMs. Natalie Thompson
Mr. Brent Webster
Ms. Lanora C. Pettit
Jacob Beach
Mr. Aaron Nielson
Atty. Gen. W. Kenneth Paxton Jr.
John Doe, individually and as parent and next friend of Mary Doe, a minorRespondentMs. Karen L. Loewy
Ms. Madeleine Dwertman
Mr. Brian Klosterboer
Andre Segura
Mr. Omar Gonzalez-Pagan
Camilla B. Taylor
Chase Strangio
Mr. Derek R. McDonald
Nischay Bhan
Mr. Paul Castillo
Ms. Shelly L. Skeen
Mr. John Ormiston
Nicholas Guillory
Jane Doe, individually and as parent and next friend of Mary Doe, a minorRespondentMs. Chloe Kempf
Nicholas Guillory
Andre Segura
Mr. Paul Castillo
Ms. Shelly L. Skeen
Mr. Brian Klosterboer
Camilla B. Taylor
Mr. Omar Gonzalez-Pagan
Ms. Adriana Pinon
Mr. Derek R. McDonald
Ms. Madeleine Dwertman
Nischay Bhan
Ms. Karen L. Loewy
Brandt Roessler
Chase Strangio
Mr. John Ormiston
Greg Abbott in his Official Capacity as Governor of the State of TexasPetitionerMs. Lanora C. Pettit
Mr. Jeffrey Stephens
Ms. Natalie Thompson
Mr. Aaron Nielson
Mr. Brent Webster
Mr. Joseph Mazzara
Atty. Gen. W. Kenneth Paxton Jr.
Elizabeth Gill
Mr. William Cole
Beal, RonAmicus CuriaeMr. Ron Beal
Court of Appeals Information:
Aff/Pt and Rev & Rem/Pt 
691 SW3d 55, 03-29-24 
3rd Court of Appeals 
Honorable Edward Smith 
Trial Court Information
201st District Court 
Travis 
Honorable Amy Clark-Meachum 
D-1-GN-22-000977