Jeffery T. Nobles

Jeffery Nobles is co-chair of the firm’s appellate practice group. He handles civil appellate litigation in state and federal courts throughout Texas. His practice focuses on civil appeals. He also provides briefing and procedural assistance in Texas and federal trial matters. Mr. Nobles has successfully represented plaintiffs and defendants, appellants and appellees, in a wide variety of complex commercial cases, and has experienced similar success representing defendants in significant personal injury and products litigation. 

• Baylor University School of Law, Waco, Texas (J.D., 1986)
• Union Theological Seminary, New York City (North American Ministerial Fellow in Master of Divinity Program, 1981)
• Princeton University (A.B., 1980)

• All Texas Courts
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th and 9th Circuits
• U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, and Eastern District of Texas

• In case involving judicial bribery and extortion that was discovered during an appeal, obtained a judgment from the Texas Supreme Court vacating the judgments of the lower courts. Freedom Commc’ns., Inc. v. Coronado, 2012 WL 2361719 (Tex. June 22, 2012).
• In case involving embezzlement, obtained partial affirmance of district court order denying defendants’ motion to withdraw their invocation of the Fifth Amendment privilege against testifying. Davis-Lynch, Inc. v. Moreno, 667 F.3d 539 (5th Cir.(Tex.) 2012)
• In a pro bono representation, obtained reversal of a default judgment evicting a low-income tenant from her apartment by persuading the court of appeals that the trial court abused its discretion in denying the tenant's motion for a new trial. Barnes v. Stone Way Limited Partnership, 330 S.W.3d 925 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 2011, no pet.) 
• In a real estate appeal following a six-week jury trial, obtained reversal of a trial court judgment that had required client to convey a valuable tract of commercial real estate and to pay $2.9 million in fraud damages to a commercial real estate developer. Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP v. Kingwood CrossRoads, L.P., 346 S.W.3d 37 (Tex. App--Houston [14th Dist.] 2011, pet. filed).
• In an appeal following a jury trial, obtained reversal of a $2.2 million judgment for alleged breach of a commissions contract between a marketing consultant and our client, a Houston-based company that provides services and solutions to manufacturers, distributors, and shippers with unique logistics needs. Big Dog Logistics v. Strategic Impact, 312 S.W.3d 122 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, pet. denied).
• Successfully defended judgment in favor of bank and consumer clients in case involving theft. Shipley Bros., Ltd. v. Republic Nat. Bank, 2009 WL 2461443 (Tex.App.-Hous. [1st Dist.] August 13, 2009, no pet.)
• On behalf of the State of California, obtained reversal of a U.S District Court decision in favor of a Houston-based realtor seeking to overturn cease-and-desist issued by California officials. Florida and California, among other states, sought to bar this realtor from doing business in their states because of allegedly questionable ethical and legal business practices and an extensive history of consumer complaints regarding his time share resale business. The Fifth Circuit reversed the district court’s ruling that the realtor, by being licensed in Texas, was subject only to Texas laws and enforcement. Stroman Realty, Inc. v. Antt, et al., 528 F.3d 382 (5th Cir. 2008)
• Obtained a writ of mandamus compelling the arbitration of disputes involving interpretation of partnership agreements governing the ownership rights to six hotels. In re W. Dow Hamm III Corp., 237 S.W.3d 345 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, orig. proceeding)
• Obtained reversal of a ruling that arbitration agreements were unconscionable and unenforceable. TMI, Inc. v. Brooks, 225 S.W.3d 783 (Tex. App.—Houston. [14th Dist.] 2007, pet. filed)
• Obtained ruling from Texas Supreme Court that statutory penalty did not apply, reversing multi-million dollar award by court of appeals. Evanston Ins. Co. v. Atofina Petrochemicals, Inc., 256 S.W.3d 650 (Tex. 2008)
• Successfully obtained a writ of mandamus vacating a trial court order that compelled production of a confidential and privileged research memorandum. In re Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP., No. 09-06-470-CV; 2006 WL 3028054 (Tex. App. – Beaumont 2006, orig. proceeding)
• In appeal involving the First Amendment’s “fair report” privilege, successfully reversed the trial court’s order denying summary judgment to newspaper and its reporter. Freedom Communications v. Sotelo, 11-05-336-CV, 2006 WL 1644602 (Tex. App.-- Eastland 2006, no pet.)
• In appeal from a judgment for plaintiffs, obtained reversal for product manufacturer based on the “sophisticated user” defense. U.S. Silica v. Tompkins, 156 S.W.3d 578 (Tex. 2005)
• Successfully reversed the trial court’s order denying summary judgment to newspaper and its reporter, on the ground that a headline is not defamatory when it rationally interprets the underlying facts. Freedom Communications v. Cantu, 168 S.W.3d 847 (Tex. 2005)
• In a novel case construing the deadlines contained in the federal removal statute, upheld the district court’s order denying the plaintiff's motion to remand. This was the first United States Circuit Court of Appeals decision to hold that there are equitable exceptions to the one-year deadline, contained in 28 U.S.C. § 1446(b), for removing diversity cases. Tedford v. Warner -Lambert Co., 327 F.3d 423 (5th Cir. 2003)
• In a successful challenge to orders requiring the production of net worth information, overturned the trial court’s sanctions order. In re Western Star Trucks US, Inc., 112 S.W.3d 756 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2003, orig proceeding)
• Obtained reversal of judgment that divested client of his ownership interest in a closely-held corporation. Stergiou v. General Metal Fabricating Corporation, 123 S.W.3d 1 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist] 2003, pet denied)
• In a constitutional challenge to the demolition of apartment buildings, served as lead appellate counsel for building owners in successful appeal from district court’s order of dismissal. The John Corp. v. City of Houston, 214 F.3d 573 (5th Cir. 2000)
• Obtained reversal of summary judgment involving proper meaning of contract, in client’s suit against former shareholders and employees who left to form competing business. Baty v. ProTech Ins. Agency, 63 S.W.3d 841 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2001, pet. denied)
• Won reversal of $6 million jury award for alleged breach of fiduciary duty by operator of oil and gas field in South Texas. Advent Trust Co. v. Hyder, 12 S.W.3d 534 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1999, pet. denied)
• Served as lead appellate counsel for Texas corporation that successfully avoided arbitration in commercial dispute with franchisor. Tarkett, Inc. v. Lifetime Indus., Inc., No. 13-99-00059-CV (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi July 15,1999, no pet.); In re Tarkett, No. 13-99-00187-CV (Tex. App.--Corpus Christi July 15, 1999, orig. proceeding)
• Obtained reversal of summary judgment, in wrongful death case involving failure to diagnose cancer. Martin v. Catterson, 981 S.W.2d 222 (Tex. App.––Houston [1st Dist.] 1998), pet. denied, 2 S.W.3d 249 (Tex. 1999)
• Won reversal of $5 million jury award for alleged legal malpractice. Carroll v. Jaques Admiralty Law Firm, P.C., 149 F.3d 1175 (5th Cir. 1998)
• Won reversal of $21 million jury award for alleged torts relating to financing of real estate development. Bank One, Texas, N.A. v. Stewart, 967 S.W.2d 419 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]1998, pet. denied)
• Upheld order dismissing plaintiff company’s lawsuit, as lead appellate counsel for Texas Workers’ Compensation Insurance Facility. Metro Temps, Inc. v. Texas Workers’ Compensation Ins. Facility, 949 S.W.2d 534 (Tex. App.––Austin 1997, no writ.)
• In case involving First Amendment rights, helped obtain reversal of district court’s order dismissing newspaper’s suit to unseal court records. Freedom Comm., Inc. v. Mancias, 101 F.3d 697 (5th Cir. 1996)
• In case involving First Amendment defenses, helped obtain summary judgment for newspaper. Freedom Communications, Inc. v. Brand, 907 S.W.2d 614 (Tex. App––Corpus Christi 1995, no writ)
• Obtained protection for attorney-client documents in mandamus action arising out of explosion of fertilizer plant. IMC Fertilizer, Inc. v. O'Neill, 846 S.W.2d 590 (Tex. App.––Houston [14th Dist.] 1993, orig. proceeding)
• Obtained order for disclosure of attorney-client documents, as appellate counsel in mandamus action arising from alleged breach of attorneys’ fiduciary duties to distribute settlement proceeds. Scrivner v. Hobson, 854 S.W.2d 148 (Tex. App.––Houston [1st Dist.] 1993, orig. proceeding)
• Obtained order for disclosure of attorney client documents as member of appellate team in mandamus action arising from securities litigation. Freeman v. Bianchi, 820 S.W.2d 853 (Tex. App.––Houston [1st Dist.] 1991, orig. proceeding), aff'd sub nom. Granada Corp. v. Honorable First Court of Appeals, 844 S.W.2d 223 (Tex. 1992)
• Won reversal of district court’s order dismissing limited partners’ suit against general partner. L & B Hosp. Ventures, Inc. v. Healthcare Int’l, Inc., 894 F.2d 150 (5th Cir. 1990)

•  Speaker, “Why Texas Defense Counsel Should Argue that Texas Law Governs Federal Supersedeas Bonds,” Texas Association of defense Counsel Summer Seminar, July 19, 2012
• Speaker, “Federal Supersedeas Law: Hollywood and Daniel Webster Explain It All for You,” Houston Bar Association Appellate Practice Section, April 2012
• Speaker, “The Jury Charge,” State Bar of Texas Consumer Law Course, Summer 2011
• “Comment: Texas trial judges see healthy system,” San Antonio Express-News, November 10, 2007
• Speaker, “Ten Things Every Lawyer Should Know About Texas Civil Appeals,” HBA Friday Seminar, March 2002
• Speaker, “Efficient & Effective Legal Research,” South Texas College of Law, December 2001
• Panelist, “Oral Argument,” South Texas College of Law, December 2000
• Moderator, “Masters of Oral Argument,” HBA Appellate Bench-Bar Conference, April 2000
• Speaker, “Judicial Recusal,” SBOT Advanced Appellate Practice Course, October 1999
• Speaker, “Post-Verdict Preservation of Error,” South Texas College of Law, December 1998
• Speaker, “The Jury Charge,” South Texas College of Law, December 1997
• Moderator, “What’s New at the Court of Appeals,” Houston Bar Association Appellate Bench-Bar, October 1997
• Speaker, “Motions for Summary Judgment,” State Bar of Texas Advanced Personal Injury Course, August 1997
• Speaker, “Preservation of Error,” Texas Trial Lawyers’ Association Products Seminar, January 1997
• Speaker, “Jury Charge Update,” State Bar of Texas Litigation Section, Litigation Update Seminar, January 1997

• State Bar of Texas
• American Bar Association
• Chair, Houston Bar Association Appellate Practice Section, 1999-2000 (chair-elect, 1998-99; vice-chair, 1997-98; treasurer, 1996-97; council member, 1994-96, 2001-02)

• First Court of Appeals, Houston, Senior Staff Attorney, 1989 - 1990
• Honorable Bud Warren, First Court of Appeals, Houston, Briefing Attorney, 1986 – 1987

• AV Preeminent Lawyer, Martindale-Hubbell
• Named “Texas Super Lawyer,” Texas Monthly, 2003-2012
• Fellow, Houston Bar Foundation
• North American Ministerial Fellow, Master of Divinity Program, Union Theological Seminary, New York City, 1980 – 1981

•  Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program