Supreme Court

Case: 24-0613    
24-0613
08/01/2024
Petition for Review/Cause under Rule 53.1
WILLIAM W. RUTH 
COMMISSION FOR LAWYER DISCIPLINE 
Appellate Briefs
Date▲▼Event Type▲▼Description▲▼RemarksDocument
03/21/2025Brief on the MeritsRespondent Response Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Commission for Lawyer Discipline.
02/26/2025Brief on the MeritsPetitioner Petitioner's Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of William W. Ruth.
11/21/2024Response to PetitionRespondent Response to Petition for Review filed on behalf of Commission for Lawyer Discipline.
08/27/2024Petition for ReviewPetitioner Petition for Review filed on behalf of William W. Ruth.
Case Events
Date▲▼Event Type▲▼Disposition▲▼RemarksDocument
11/21/2024Response to Petition  Response to Petition for Review filed on behalf of Commission for Lawyer Discipline.
11/05/2025Oral argument   Argued on behalf of Petitioner by Timothy Hootman; Argued on behalf of Respondent by Michael G. Graham
11/01/2024Supreme Court of Texas Requested Response  Requested response to petition for review due no later than December 2, 2024.
10/21/2025Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received  Oral Argument Submission Form submitted on behalf of William W. Ruth. Oral Argument will be presented by Timothy Hootman of Tim Hootman, Lawyer of Houston, Texas.
10/20/2025Oral Argument Submission Form from Attorney received  Oral Argument Submission Form received on behalf of Commission for Lawyer Discipline. Oral Argument will be presented by Michael G. Graham of Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel of Austin, Texas.
10/01/2024Case forwarded to Court 
09/25/2024Response Waiver filed  Response Waiver filed on behalf of Commission for Lawyer Discipline.
08/27/2024Petition for Review  Petition for Review filed on behalf of William W. Ruth.
08/01/2024Motion for Extension of Time to File Petition for Review disposedFiling granted Motion for Extension of Time to file Petition for Review is granted. Petition for Review is due September 5, 2024.
08/01/2024Motion 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 William W. Ruth.
08/01/2024Clerk's Record 
08/01/2024Court reporter/recorder's record 
07/23/2026Mandate issued  Mandate & Cost Bill Issued
06/27/2025Case set for oral argumentCase set for oral argument This cause has been set for oral argument at 9:00 a.m., November 5, 2025. Time allotted to argue: 20/20 minutes
06/20/2025Petition for Review disposedFiling granted The date and time for oral argument are yet to be determined.
06/20/2025Petition for Review granted 
06/12/2026Court approved judgment sent to attorneys of recordIssued
06/12/2026Concurring Opinion issued.Issued Justice Huddle filed an opinion concurring in the judgment.
06/12/2026Opinion issuedCourt of Appeals' judgment reversed & judgment rendered The Court reverses the court of appeals' judgment and renders judgment. Justice Lehrmann delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Chief Justice Blacklock, Justice Devine, Justice Busby, Justice Bland, Justice Young, Justice Sullivan, and Justice Hawkins joined.
(6/12/2026 11:57:29 AM) 240613c.pdf, 240613.pdf, 24-0613.jmt.pdf
05/29/2025Call received  Call received from Petitioner.
05/01/2025Call received  Call received from Petitioner regarding status of case.
03/21/2025Brief on the Merits  Response Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of Commission for Lawyer Discipline.
03/17/2026Call received  Call received from Petitioner regarding status of case.
02/26/2025Brief on the Merits  Petitioner's Brief on the Merits filed on behalf of William W. Ruth.
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.
Calendars
Set Date▲▼Calendar Type▲▼Reason Set▲▼Remarks▲▼
07/23/2026Case StoredCase stored.e-stored
Parties
Party▲▼Party Type▲▼Representative▲▼
Ruth, William W.PetitionerMr. Timothy A. Hootman
Mr. Robert Valdez
Commission for Lawyer DisciplineRespondentMr. Benjamin Hackett
Mr. Michael G. Graham
Court of Appeals Information:
Affirmed  
696 SW3d 233, 06-20-24 
4th Court of Appeals 
Honorable Irene Rios 
Trial Court Information
216th District Court 
Gillespie 
Honorable Roy B. Ferguson 
16965