Immunity/Affirmative Defense

Colin Walsh
Texas Employer Lawyer Colin Walsh

In the intricate tapestry of legal frameworks, one concept that often surfaces is legal immunity. This term encompasses various protections granted to individuals or entities, shielding them from certain legal consequences. 

In employment law,  there are two main types of immunity that come into play: Sovereign Immunity and Qualified Immunity. 

Colin Walsh
Texas Employer Lawyer Colin Walsh

Charter schools have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional public schools in Texas and across the United States. But one question that has been raised is whether charter schools are considered arms of the state for, among other things, legal immunity purposes. In Texas, this question has been particularly

Assuming Shannon authorized the Church to speak with the Seminary, the Church nevertheless was bound to communicate in accordance with the terms of its Agreement. We conclude that in signing the authorization, Shannon did not unequivocally manifest the intent not to assert any of her rights under the Agreement. In other words, Shannon did not

Here, the Church did not present evidence of any statements to the Seminary relating to Shannon’s violation of any policy of the Church or failure to perform her job as required by the Church. The Church did not establish that Steane’s statement expressing doubts about Shannon’s ability to solicit donations for the Seminary was related

The Church moved only on the ministerial exception as a jurisdictional bar and did not move for summary judgment as to this affirmative defense. Accordingly, the trial court erred to the extent that it concluded it did not have subject matter jurisdiction over Shannon’s claims under the ministerial exception. We sustain Shannon’s fifth issue.

Shannon

The Church argues that it is immune from suit because “what is ‘disparaging’ involves subjective judgment through the eyes of the Church.” To the contrary, applying the plain meaning of the word “disparage,” a factfinder could determine whether the Church belittled Shannon or “reduce[d her] in esteem or rank” when, as alleged, (1) a