in Re Pentex Foundation and Joshua Unger, Trustee of GBU Friends and Associates, Trust

ACCEPTED 02-15-00069-CV SECOND COURT OF APPEALS FORT WORTH, TEXAS 3/2/2015 6:50:39 PM DEBRA SPISAK CLERK

NO. 02-15-__________-CV

THE STATE OF TEXAS FILED IN 2nd COURT OF APPEALS FORT WORTH, TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS 03/02/2015 6:50:39 PM DEBRA SPISAK Clerk SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS AT FORT WORTH

In Re PENTEX FOUNDATION and JOSHUA UNGER, TRUSTEE of GBU FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES, TRUST, Relators

v.

THE YET TO BE DESIGNATED HONORABLE DISTRICT JUDGE OF TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS, Respondent, and

KENNTH VERN GIBBS and CANDACE GIBBS WALTON, Real Parties in Interest

PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS

Scott Smith 120 South Crockett Street P.O. Box 354 Sherman, Texas 75091-0354 e-mail: smithlaw@airmail.net Facsimile (903) 870-1446 Telephone (903) 868-8686

ATTORNEY FOR PENTEX FOUNDATION AND JOSHUA UNGER, TRUSTEE OF GBU FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES TRUST, RELATORS

ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED

February 27, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii STATEMENT OF THE CASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

ISSUE PRESENTED

Should mandamus be granted to enforce the parties’ agreed, mandatory venue provisions of the contract, pursuant to Section 15.020 of the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

STATEMENT OF FACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

A. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 B. FACTUAL BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

VENUE IS MANDATORY WHERE THERE IS A WRITTEN CONTRACT WITH A STATED VALUE OF $5,000,000 AND AN EXPRESS AGREEMENT FOR VENUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

PRAYER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH APPELATE RULE 52.3(j) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH APPELATE RULE 9.4(j) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

i

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

Cases

Airvantage, L.L.C. v. TBAN Properties # 1, L.T.D., 269 S.W.3d 254, 257 (Tex. App.-Dallas 2008, no pet.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Carrothers Const. Co, L.L.C. v. City of S. Hutchinson, 288 Kan. 743, 207 P.3d 231 (Kan. 2009) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Flores v. Millennium Interests, Ltd., 185 S.W.3d 427 (Tex. 2005) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Gator Apple, LLC v. Apple Texas Restaurants, Inc., No. 05-12-01369-CV, 2014 Tex. App. LEXIS 2539 (Tex. App. – Dallas, Mar. 5, 2014) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

In Re Adan Volpe Properties, Ltd., 306 S.W.3d 369, 373 (Tex. App – Corpus Christi 2010) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In re Applied Chem. Magnesias Corp., 206 S.W.3d 114, 117 (Tex. 2006) . . . . . . . 8 In Re AutoNation, 228 S.W.3d 663 (Tex. 2006) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 In re Cont'l Airlines, Inc., 988 S.W.2d 733, 735 (Tex. 1998) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 In re David Lopez, Sr., 372 S.W.3d 174, 176-77 (Tex. 2012) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 In Re: Fisher, 433 S.W.3d 523 (Tex. 2014) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,10

In Re: Kenneth Vern Gibbs, et al., No. 06-15-00002-CV, 2015 Tex. App. LEXIS 906 (Tex. App. – Texarkana, Jan. 30, 2015) . . . . . . 5

In Re Lisa Laser USA, Inc., 310 S.W.3d 880, 887 (Tex. 2010) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

In Re: Pentex Foundation, et al., No. 06-15-00003-CV, 2015 Tex. App. – LEXIS 889 (Tex. App. – Texarkana, Jan. 30, 2015) . . . . 5

ii

In Re Railroad Repair, No. 05-09-0135-CV, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 8404 (Tex. App. – Dallas, Nov. 2, 2009, no pet) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Kj Eastwood Invs. v. Enlow, 923 S.W.2d 255, 258 (Tex. App. – Ft. Worth 1996) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Maranatha Temple, Inc. v. Enter. Products Co., et. al., 833 S.W.2d 736 (Tex. App. – Hou. [1st Dist.] 1992, writ denied) . . . . . . . 11

Spin Doctor Golf, Inc v. Paymentech, L.P., 296 S.W.3d 354 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2009, pet. denied) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Valence v. Dorsett Operating Co.,164 S.W.3d 656, 664, 48 (Tex. 2005) . . . . . . . . 9 Wichita County v. Hart, 917 S.W.2d 779 (Tex.1996) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Statutes and Rules TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 15.002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,12 TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 15.020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,3,4,9,12 TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 15.0642 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,5,7,8 TEX. GOVT. CODE § 22.221 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 TEX. R. CIV. P. 87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

iii

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

Pentex Foundation, Relator, brought suit in the 336th Judicial District Court of Fannin County, Texas, to enforce and declare the terms of a written contract, with a stated value in excess of $1,000,000, and an express venue provision for Fannin County, Texas. Kenneth Gibbs and Candace Walton, Respondents and Real Parties in Interest,1 filed a motion to transfer venue to Tarrant County, Texas, for convenience. The presiding judge of the 336th District Court of Fannin County, Judge Laurine Blake, initially granted the motion to transfer venue, but subsequently reconsidered and denied the motion to transfer venue. At the time Judge Blake reconsidered her ruling on venue, the trial of the case was also set for June 1, 2015.

Gibbs and Walton filed a Petition for Writ of Mandamus with the Texarkana Court of Appeals, alleging that the trial court was without authority to reconsider and reverse its ruling on venue. Pentex filed a cross-petition, claiming that in any event venue was mandatory in Fannin County, Texas. The Texarkana Court of Appeals held that the trial court was without authority to reconsider the motion to transfer venue, and that the cross-petition by Pentex was therefore likewise without

1 For convenience, they shall be referred to by their last names. Pentex Foundation shall be referred to as “Pentex.”

-1-jurisdiction.

STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION

This Court has jurisdiction over this petition for writ of mandamus pursuant to TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 15.0642 and TEX. GOVT. CODE § 22.221(b); See also, Kj Eastwood Invs. v. Enlow, 923 S.W.2d 255, 258 (Tex. App. – Ft. Worth 1996)(“[W]e believe that the legislature, by recently enacting section 15.0642, has obviated a relator's requirement to show that there is no adequate remedy by appeal.”)

ISSUE PRESENTED

Should mandamus be granted to enforce the parties’ agreed, mandatory venue provisions of the contract, pursuant to Section 15.020 of the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code?

STATEMENT OF FACTS

A. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Pentex filed its action to enforce and declare the terms of a written contract on April 1, 2014, in Fannin County, Texas.2 Pentex asserted that venue was mandatory in Fannin County, Texas, as the case arises from a contract involving a

2 The contract shall be referred to as “Contract”. A copy of the Contract is attached hereto as Appendix “A”. See also, Appendix “B” submitted herewith, at page 17. The record is submitted in the Appendix, and consists of two parts, “B” and “C”, which are numbered consecutively, and shall be referred to as “Appx.”

-2-major transaction, with venue specified and agreed by the parties to be in Fannin County, Texas. TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 15.020.3

Subsequently, Gibbs and Walton, filed another, similar lawsuit arising out of the same facts and circumstances, which now involves all of the same parties, in the statutory probate court of Tarrant County, Texas.4

In Fannin County, Gibbs and Walton filed a motion to transfer venue for convenience5, essentially asserting that “prejudice was so great” they could not get a fair trial in Fannin County, Texas, because then counsel for Pentex was also a

3 Section 15.020 of the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code applies to a “major transaction,” which is defined as a transaction evidenced by a written agreement and which involves $1 million or more:

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, an action arising from a major transaction may not be brought in a county if:

(1) the party bringing the action has agreed in writing that an action arising from the transaction may not be brought in that county, and the action may be brought in another county of this state or in another jurisdiction; or

(2) the party bringing the action has agreed in writing that an action arising from the transaction must be brought in another county of this state or in another jurisdiction, and the action may be brought in that other county, under this section or otherwise, or in that other jurisdiction. 4 A copy of this lawsuit is attached as Exhibit “B” to Relator’s answer. Appx. 47. It was amended in December of 2014, so that it now includes all parties to the Fannin County lawsuit. 5 Pursuant to TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 15.002.

-3-part-time municipal judge for the City of Bonham. Texas. Appx. 35.

The motion for change of venue filed by Gibbs and Walton was heard on September 30, 2014, and Judge Laurine Blake determined that venue should be transferred to Tarrant County. Appx. 650. Within five days, Pentex filed its Motion to Reconsider Motion to Transfer Venue. Appx. 660.

The motion to reconsider was heard on November 12, 2014. At that hearing, Judge Blake reconsidered the matter and determined that mandatory venue in fact existed in Fannin County, Texas. Appx. 650. At that time the court also entered a scheduling order setting the trial of this case for June 1, 2015. Appx. 747.

Two months later, Gibbs and Walton filed their Petition for Writ of Mandamus and Motion for Emergency Stay in the Texarkana Court of Appeals, claiming that Judge Blake was without authority to reconsider her ruling on venue. Pentex filed a cross-petition for mandamus relief, asserting that in the event the trial court did not have the authority to reconsider its ruling on venue, mandamus should have been granted to enforce the parties’ agreed, mandatory venue provisions of the contract, pursuant to Section 15.020 of the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code.

The Texarkana Court of Appeals held that Judge Blake was without

-4-jurisdiction to reconsider her order on venue,⁶ and that the cross-petition should be denied as the “relief Pentex seeks by petition for writ of mandamus should be addressed to the Second Court of Appeals, the appellate court having jurisdiction over Tarrant County.”7

As of the date of this Petition, the file has not physically arrived to Tarrant County, Texas. It is believed to be in transit.8 Therefore, it has not been assigned to a particular Tarrant County district court. Nevertheless, the Tarrant County district courts presently have jurisdiction over this dispute. See, In Re: Kenneth Vern Gibbs, et al., No. 06-15-00002-CV, 2015 Tex. App. LEXIS 906 (Tex. App. – Texarkana, Jan. 30, 2015)(“The failure to transfer the physical file from Fannin County to Tarrant County affects neither the finality of the transfer order nor the transferring court's plenary jurisdiction.”) Because of the previously set trial date, in order to be timely filed,9 this petition claims relief with respect to a yet-to-be

6 In Re: Kenneth Vern Gibbs, et al., No. 06-15-00002-CV, 2015 Tex. App. LEXIS 906 (Tex. App. – Texarkana, Jan. 30, 2015), found at Appx. 848. 7 In Re: Pentex Foundation, et al., No. 06-15-00003-CV, 2015 Tex. App. – LEXIS 889 (Tex. App. – Texarkana, Jan. 30, 2015), found at Appx. 854. 8 See, the index of proceedings received from the Fannin County District Clerk’s Office on February 26, 2015. Appx. 857-58. 9 Section 15.0642 provides specific statutory authority for the filing of a writ of mandamus to enforce mandatory venue provisions. It states that an application for writ of mandamus must be filed before the 90th day before the trial starts.

-5-designated Tarrant County district judge.

B. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

This case concerns and arises out of the Contract entered into between and among Gibbs, Walton, Howard Kirk Gibbs and Albert Barcroft.10 Pentex and Joshua Unger, Trustee are successors in interest to Mr. Barcroft. The Contract itself, at paragraph 4, stipulates a buyout and liquidated damages provision of $5,000,000, as follows:

It is understood and agreed that Gibbs may cancel or nullify this contract only under the following conditions: a) If Gibbs pays over to Barcroft the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000.00 US) in full, in addition to any money received prior to said one time payment, as liquidated damages and full settlement of all consideration on Gibbs part.

Contract ¶ 4 (emphasis original). The present dispute involves allegations that in excess of a million dollars were not distributed pursuant to the terms of the Contract. Paragraph 37 of the Plaintiff’s Original Petition in this case alleges:

10 A true and correct copy of that contract was attached to the Response to Motion to Transfer Venue, Plaintiff’s Exhibit “A”. Appx. 226-233. It’s authenticity was not in dispute. Also attached to the Response was Plaintiff’s Exhibit “B” is a copy of a portion of the Response to a Request for Admissions, by which the Contract is acknowledged in Response to Request for Admission number 1. Appx. 234, 236.

-6-

Plaintiff has had over a million dollars of money rightfully due Plaintiff taken by Ken, Candy and Howard to pay the attorney fees that were due to be paid only by Ken, Candy and Howard under written agreement, i.e. the Contract here.11

The prayer in the Plaintiff’s Original Petition requests, “All actual damages; but, in any case, no less than one million dollars [$1,000,000.00].”

Importantly the Contract addressed venue in a very direct and forceful manner in paragraph 9:

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, it is expressly agreed that this contract shall be performable only in Fannin County, Texas; and, any dispute(s) will be resolved in the Courts of Fannin County, Texas.

(Emphasis original).

ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES

VENUE IS MANDATORY WHERE THERE IS A WRITTEN CONTRACT WITH A STATED VALUE OF $5,000,000 AND AN EXPRESS AGREEMENT FOR VENUE.

Pentex filed suit in Fannin County, for which mandatory venue was established. Mandamus relief is specifically authorized to enforce a statutory mandatory venue provision. In Re: Fisher, 433 S.W.3d 523, at 528-29 (Tex. 2014), citing TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 15.0642. Moreover, mandamus relief is the proper remedy to enforce a mandatory venue provision when the trial

11 Appx. 12.

-7-court has denied a motion to transfer venue. In re Cont'l Airlines, Inc., 988 S.W.2d 733, 735 (Tex. 1998)(orig. proceeding); TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 15.0642. Where a party seeks to enforce a mandatory venue provision a party is only required to show that the trial court clearly abused its discretion by failing to transfer the case and is not required to prove that it lacks an adequate appellate remedy. In re David Lopez, Sr., 372 S.W.3d 174, 176-77 (Tex. 2012)(orig. proceeding); In re Applied Chem. Magnesias Corp., 206 S.W.3d 114, 117 (Tex. 2006)(orig. proceeding).

Contractual venue provisions are mandatory and enforceable. In general, forum-selection clauses should “be given full effect and should control absent a strong showing that [they] should be set aside." In Re AutoNation, Inc., 228 S.W.3d 663, 667 (Tex. 2006). Strong public policy supports the enforcement of forum-selection clauses. Subjecting a party to trial in a forum other than that agreed upon and requiring an appeal to vindicate the rights granted in a forum-selection clause is:

“[C]lear harassment” – harassment that injures not just the non- breaching party but the broader judicial system, injecting inefficiency by enabling forum-shopping, wasting judicial resources, delaying adjudication on the merits, and skewing settlement dynamics contrary to the parties' contracted – for expectations.

Id., at 667-668 (citations omitted).

-8-

In cases involving a “major transaction” the parties are free to agree that venue will lie in a particular county. This case involves is a “major transaction” as defined by law. A “major transaction” is defined by statute as a transaction evidenced by a written agreement under which a person pays or receives, or is obligated to pay or entitled to receive, consideration with an aggregate stated value equal to or greater than one million. TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 15.020(a).

Accordingly, the Contract constitutes a "major transaction" for purposes of section 15.020 because it expressly provides – in paragraph 4 – for the payment of "consideration with an aggregate stated value" of more than $ 1 million. Venue is therefore mandatory when there is a written agreement specifying venue, which involves one million dollars or more.

The Contract plainly and expressly provides for liquidated damages of $5,000,000 in the event of breach. Of course, the term “liquidated damages” refers to an acceptable measure of damages that parties stipulate in advance will be assessed in the event of a contract breach.12 A liquidated damages clause allows contracting parties to protect themselves against the difficulty, uncertainty, and

12 See, Flores v. Millennium Interests, Ltd., 185 S.W.3d 427, 431 (Tex. 2005); Valence v. Dorsett Operating Co.,164 S.W.3d 656, 664, 48 (Tex. 2005).

-9-expenses involved when trying to ascertain actual damages.13 “Given this desirable goal, it is well established that parties may stipulate at the time of contracting to a set damages amount for a breach of that contract, as long as the liquidated damages provision is not a penalty.” Id.

Notwithstanding the liquidated damages of $5,000,000 stated in the Contract, Pentex asserted that its damages, in excess of $1,000,000, directly related to the Contract. Claims that are associated with a major transaction trigger the mandatory venue if they “arise” from a major transaction.

We concluded that the forum selection clause itself applied more broadly than to mere sales transactions because it applied to "any dispute arising out of" the agreement and the trial court erred in refusing to enforce the forum selection clause.

Fisher, 433 S.W.3d at 530, citing In Re Lisa Laser USA, Inc., 310 S.W.3d 880, 887 (Tex. 2010). Here, the Contract broadly stipulates venue in Fannin County for “all disputes” arising out of the contract, not merely for purposes of enforcement of the liquidated damages provision. Contract, ¶ 9.

Pentex established mandatory venue by prima facie proof. A copy of the Contract was attached to the Plaintiff’s Original Petition; the existence of the

13 Gator Apple, LLC v. Apple Texas Restaurants, Inc., No. 05-12-01369-CV, 2014 Tex. App. LEXIS 2539 (Tex. App. – Dallas, Mar. 5, 2014, pet. filed), citing to Carrothers Const. Co, L.L.C. v. City of S. Hutchinson, 288 Kan. 743, 207 P.3d 231 (Kan. 2009).

-10-Contract was asserted; the specific agreement for venue to be exclusively in Fannin County, Texas was described; and the amount of damages sought were all specifically pleaded venue facts. Gibbs and Walton did not deny any of the pleaded venue facts. They are therefore taken as true.14 That is all Pentex needed to do to establish mandatory venue. “A party must establish mandatory venue by prima facie proof. TEX. R. CIV. P. 87(3). . . . Spin Doctor Golf, Inc v. Paymentech, L.P., 296 S.W.3d 354, 357, 359 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2009, pet. denied). In Spin Doctor Golf the Court of Appeals found:

The agreement attached to the motion to transfer venue lists annual sales of over $1,000,000. Thus, on its face, it constitutes prima facie evidence of a major transaction within the meaning of 15.020(a).

Id. So too here, the undisputed venue facts establish – on the face of the Contract – that this was a major transaction.

Frankly, Gibbs and Walton never challenged the fundamental venue facts. They simply asserted that Fannin County was inconvenient, despite their written promises. Gibbs and Walton only requested that venue be changed pursuant to TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 15.002, a permissive venue provision. It is clear

14 TEX. R. CIV. P. 87(3)(a)("properly pleaded" venue facts taken as true unless specifically denied by adverse party.); see e.g., Maranatha Temple, Inc. v. Enter. Products Co., et. al., 833 S.W.2d 736 (Tex. App. – Houston [1st Dist.] 1992, writ denied).

-11-that mandatory venue provisions trump permissive ones,15

The parties agreed to venue in Fannin County, Texas. It was mandatory. It was error to transfer the case to Tarrant County, Texas, an error later recognized and corrected too late by Judge Blake.

PRAYER

Pentex submits that the initial ruling relating to venue was incorrect and should be the proper subject of mandamus.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ Scott Smith By:___________________________________ Scott Smith State Bar Number 18688900 120 South Crockett Street P.O. Box 354 Sherman, Texas 75091-0354 e-mail smithlaw@airmail.net Facsimile (903) 870-1446 Telephone (903) 868-8686

15 Airvantage, L.L.C. v. TBAN Properties # 1, L.T.D., 269 S.W.3d 254, 257 (Tex. App.-Dallas 2008, no pet.) (citing Wichita County v. Hart, 917 S.W.2d 779, 781 (Tex.1996). Further, section 15.020(c) provides in pertinent part that, when applicable, section 15.020 controls over other venue statutes in title 2 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 15.020(c). In In Re Railroad Repair, No. 05-09-0135-CV, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 8404 (Tex. App. – Dallas, Nov. 9, 2009, no pet.), the Court specifically found that venue under section 15.002, a permissive venue statute, must yield to the mandatory venue provision in section 15.020.

-12-

Unsworn Delcaration Pursuant to TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 132.001

"My name is Thomas Scott Smith, my date of birth is December 18, 1957, and my address is 120 South Crockett Street, Sherman, Texas 75090, and I declare under penalty of perjury that, I am fully competent to testify as to the matters stated herein. I have personal knowledge of each of the facts stated in this petition are all true and correct.

Executed in Grayson County, Texas on this February 27, 2015.

/s/ Thomas Scott Smith ______________________________ Thomas Scott Smith, Declarant

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH APPELATE RULE 52.3(j)

This certifies that the undersigned has reviewed this Petition and concluded that every factual statement in it is supported by competent evidence in the appendix submitted herewith, or the record, as required by Appellate Rule 52.3(j).

/s/ Scott Smith

Scott Smith

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH APPELATE RULE 9.4(j)

I certify that this document contains 7,935 words, as indicated by word- count function of the computer program used to prepare it, and excludes the caption, statement regarding oral argument, table of contents, table of authorities, statement of the case, statement of issue presented, statement of jurisdiction, statement of procedural history, signature, proof of service, certification, certificate of compliance, and appendix, as required by Appellate Rule 9.4(j).

/s/ Scott Smith

Scott Smith

-13-

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I do hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the above and foregoing document was served, by electronic transmission and facsimile (800) 437-7901 to Christy L. Lee, Esq., of Law Offices of Christy Lee, P.C., 777 Main Street, Suite 600, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, and to Howard Kirk Gibbs, Pro Se, at 4360 Western Center Blvd., Suite 205, Ft. Worth, Texas 76137, on this February 27, 2015.

Scott Smith

-14-

APPENDIX

A Contract B. Record, pages 1-758 C. Record, pages 759-858

-15-

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Th.is agrcomont bciwccn Al~_ert Lynn A_a-rcroll_, hercinaftct ''Jlar~ri>rt''; Md Kettrieth Yem Gilibs, _Can~:it~ Gibbs· Walton, an~ l!ow11ril. :Kirk G1f\!Js, herdnallcr cullectiv~ly .also "Gltlbi.'', is a ·contract rot sale oJ lhltty pei'ctol JO% or all latid, mineral rlglits, ro)'altlo, ilad a·oy 01lrtf 1n1rnfM or assets Wbldi Gibbs, or any <if the three individuals referred. to colloclively a• "Gibbs" 11i tlli~ agreement:, re.:e1vcs, or is .due,, frolJl tl\is da_te (orWard. cl1h·er :toll~cuvcly or indi'v.idually, as a resuh of any inherita11cc or cslate. proceeds,. or any othe< property assets re.:civcd ftom any trust(S') Qr tnmsfcrs from Bert Hughes.Gibbs, Mary L. Houscwm1h.-an\fior-KathrytJ G. Oibb~ a_t any umc, past, present, oduiure; inclu_t11.t1g, but 1101 limited to. tbc following\

ai A.II pr~eeqs l'rom the f;stat~ ofQcn H\lghes dibbs •. andtor, hJ All piopen"y and1ur asset.~of'any"kl1i"d-whlcli ate received J!S· a resul1 of any past or l\Jh1re traiJ"Sfercnce. from Bert "Hughes Gibbs, Kathl)TI G. Gibbs; 0r any lrust to which Gibbs, or. any ur lhe ind1\'1duals r.efcrrctl 10 cqllecltvt:ly ·a$ "Gibbs":m this agreement, arc beneficiary: and1or,

~) All inl>eri.t.~n~c of -~\•Y -~ind "II~' in 1!11Y" fonn tiy: Qibbs, or .any of tht mdiv_ldulifs refCNed .to cullectivdly.·us "Gibbs'' fn 1hh1 u:g_o;:¢'Jti.cntt.<µJQ/dr;

d) All proceeds:from ai1y .lawsuit which currcnt1y·cx1s1s,_or.may amc, becau>1: ot; or m conneeuon wiih,. the ro!a11onshipto) wi_1h Den H_ughe.; G_ibl)s, l(a1hryn ci- .Gi~bs, Kip Hu~e• GjbJ>s, S;mdra Eayo· Gibbs, "The ·Mar)' L. Houscwonh lrrevccable:1'rusf'._ ·"The Ka!hr)'.11 HouscworllrOfbbs lire.votablc '\rust'";o1111d 111IY oth~r 1rus_1(sH> ••hie_~ dtbbs_ar" b¢11c(lci•t.viies} or 1ru.Si~l~J:iiHfriY foi(il: ;l\ldJor,

~) f!"!I ;pto~1w '!ll<llor ass~1~, wliid.1. may :hi•~ b'"'" ,~•-•Vmilsly ·passed t<Hhern h)' Ben. Hu)lhes (Jil>hs·, K01hr}11 G. Gihbs, "The· Muty L, HousowoMh Irrevocable l"rust", amlicl"Th~ l(a1myn Hou~MMh Qitil!s. hrev®.able 'rrusl''; atit)lor,

I) All tl!h.•r prop:eny a~d!orasscts pa~ Hi Gihbs. or anfot!M _indil:.idualsref!'m!l- to, «1.llec11~cly· •$ "Glb.6!" .IJ1 this •Jir""111ent, from :my ,source involv.ing ili:n. Hug~wGllibs, Kathryn G. dibhs, "The Kaihryn Houseworth Gibbs lrrovocl!hfe. (~unu~_tfOf-.~afeu_~.f.:~n<i_;M., in~,.J ~tilf'iM. t Jfno:iJ~·o~- d~= &1.i= .ifili_-_J ~o)~llfcs-oil\d Olh:ci i\Mfh ;Htij1(ll M~r~t Jlf P"11~ -~ :Tl#' ~

Tt11st''. a1.1d!Qr ''Thi;· ((~tbr~ BouscwQ!'lff Gibb~ lriiW<>calilt Trust"; or, ;1ny 91her lrusl(s) or business otganrt.ation(s) of any klrid, whiCh might be uncovered or discov~re<! in "the f\Jiore; andlo(,

g) All property anti.for oilier·asseis in any trust or. forl'rl.cr trust; an\!,.any. pr,;perty or Other assets in any comorat1on; ·11mited iiability company, partilership(s>, sole propnetorsliip(slo or .any other business orgamzation of any kind in which one or morccofthe Gibbs arc owners. irus1~sJ or ti~neficiijry'(1~sj. b.). Sp~ilkally exempt¢ from lhfs agre~l)len.t are ;my properties lllldlor other assets whh:h are currenll)' 1111der lh<t full .contr¢.1 of Gibbs, or an)! of th·c individuals rcfcrr!!d lei collc,;cri\·dy as "Gibbs" m lh1s agreem~llt; provi<kd, i1owevcr; ttJat if any· legal work 1s reljllired to aid ;·n the coll«:liOrl .uf said assets, or the sale or control of said property, lhtn $aid property or. other assets shall be subject to the tenns,·condltions. ~nd c!!ll$hlera\iol)ll ~et forili wit!iill lhis a!lfeemenl as:p;rr.t .11fllie pJoperty artdiM· as·~cts li~1~4 above, .artd shall have n(i exemption-lo llie terms ~nd considerations of this agtccmem .. AISo exeltlp!~ from this agreement are any peNIOnal: items 11iat wcie passcd. ttl ·GibBs from ·their falhet, wlii~h were not included II\ ihc divorce d1srnbu1ion bCIWeen 1heirmotller and father.

Tli{s sak of 30°/. ·of,lil!. l~n.d. 1 p.rope.rty •!Id o)li.tr e~5el.s. described here{?! .abo\(c. ~!\all i>e &l'V•.. ~d by die fc!Uowlrtg lor.')ls, £<!11.ill1lo1u, ud c0 nsldn•tlonr:

I Gibbs. or· any ofliie 'individuals referred io·colleclively·as'"Gibb~" in this a~ccmcn1, sh~ll giv~ llieir11Ji¥i1et (uJ.( ~goJi.or~tion 1<>.aU efforts liy U~rQroil, to co.ll~~I urry <if\!Jc fundneforrcd fo·in th" agreen\"l:nt. Silld coor,erall<in shall include, bili not"be hniitCd. ti>, pro~idiJjg no~~$$\1TY urfonnatlcm .;md. documoo1a11on •.. boh)g «v~ifab.i~ to g1)·e tostimony, Jlnd glvmg full sopp.ort t<> th•. o.verall :effon .of ~ollcctin& lilll~• and..oS§ols fNm· 111<: sourc<s s!atO\I h~rcin,

2. An».parly"6ereto Shall .haw.1l1e right to. orde. a complelc tnY•n.IOry of all propetiY rurd: othetais~I~ <!escri~t:ll heri;1~ al llli> tlnie, ?nd all panies· agre~ !() :prov1~e full c09peralion to..such an.effort. Any·:cosls shall be born by lho party rcqucsiin1rihe tnvenfory..

tvnlf;ii;ffrlt S.trc ofWnd, M:rrrtfJ1I R!S)lU. .Ruya!Uci"iill!d Ol~FA1Mt1 andlo(J.i.on1r~

19 J. As full consideration; 13arcrot't agrees 10 provide, or has provideJ, the followi"~:

a) Uarcr-0ft has patd to Gibbs a lolal ·of twent}'·one (21) silver dollars minted by the Unileil S11m:s Mini, photocopy {)f'Sa1d coin·s attached· herelo as Exhibit "A". and 1nc0Jpor,a1ed herein for all purposes as real cons1deratio1\' under this ab"'~emelil;

md Gib.b's hereby acknowledgilS rec.cipl of Slllllci with thia 8igoing;· imd.

b) lfarcr<>ft will provide hiuervices. knowle4gc and 'bcsrcfforts in: the pursuit of all available tl..11t.d~. propeny, and/or olbcr assets from the:sourci!s.sratL'd herein; and,

c) Bnrcroil,.. at hts cKIJ'tnse, will jii'i:Nldi:. le.gal co.unset by acquiring. a ficensi:d attorney for any rea.'><>na~lc and prudcni actions neces~ary (o tl;c coll!'Cting ofthe fu11ds: from ihe sources sta.te(! herein; however, sho11td Gibhs, :or any of the-. ind1viduql Gibbs, tecl that lho1rlhis.llter interests are• riot Jir'ulJ'erly served by the allomey Bare.rot\ provides, that pany will be rcsponsil}le for 1.he legal fees of any Other .attomcy{sl hired hy Oihhs, or any individual Oilib$. to protect thdrlhliilher indiYtd·oal interests. In tliat event, it is a&rced by all. ·parties hereto that the. attorn~y hired by Bar.crofl will represent only Barcrofi in all 011ure, uction(s). Fu.nhermor~. 1t is •Mcifically agtet.'d that said ~ltomcy hired l;y Barcroll w.ill represent only BarCnif\ should a dispute anse b~tween the parties hereto; and, {ii.bbs1 in~ividually a11d ~ollecttvely; agree not lodaini conflict of interest should ~aid 11t1ofltey rl:j)J'CS¢.n.1 BarcJ9f\ in .~ co.nfliel betw~n the panie~ hereto; and, Gibbs, colliictivnly anil. indivld11ally, hercll>-· wai\'c thiiltlliiSlhcr right to claim conflicl of iiitcr()st Willi regUrds:to s~uhllomcy 1ti such instance.

4. II is undemood Md agreed ·1ha1 Gibbs may cancel or nullify this: contracf QJl]y under the followini;·conditions:

~) If Gjl!!Js pay~ <l11•r to ~;i.i:~rollihe sum offlve.mill!\11'! iloll~r~ ($5,Qi.lb,00\),00 J.!~l in• Toll, ill addition to any· money received pnot m said one time payment, as .li~uidatcd ·damages gnd full .<ct!lemelit ofall consl<leralion on Gibbs pai1.

.V{lrich. is c•;wc~ by this agrecmeni aod :has lx:cn b10Ugh1 inter the control i:lf Gibb~. or is paying beMiiJ~ of any ki\ld at tile tim~ o(S:arcrotl's abandonment; or, Which is b'rouglil .Into t·he tontrolofGtbbs; ·or stat!. Pl!ying benefits ai a la(ef date, provided that said control or payments is a result of actions prior to Bari:rofl's Jlb~n!l.on.ment .

.5. lf B~rcr<Jft dies or becomes incapacitated. the c9nUact will .remain in force. ·~nd l.he <l<stls w,~1ch havelie~1i ai:cess<:!l atld are p~yihg al thli 11m¢ ul' aru:~.rofl'~ \l~ib. or whl9~ .are later acc.esse\I. as a result 0JB11rcr9fl's effons.'wil! !f9 lo iiis h~irs and assigi)s,

automatically ·amended to comply with said laws in such a·manner as to keep 1ht original intcni \!f1h~ provision as closely in place as possi\>Jc. Jn.no event shall any such findings on one pniv1$ion. affcc1 uny diner prov1~1on wnbm ilte cootra.Ci.

ST~TE Oii TF.XA8 :Slibscrlbed,.Si>rorn, ~ad Sealed c;'QONT:Y .OF COLl,IN

On: this IO°' da}' .._,r May 11\ 1hc year· 2005·,. Allier'! Lynn Barcrofl; known to me, ditl pcrsonally·appear befor"' mo; an~. al\cr.ia~in·g the .;•ilr,.d<1'9.~9s anil says th~t he 1~.lh.c m;ill "'ltu exccuto~ tM JQr~go!rr~ insll'IJmcht; anU.. fu)tll~i sta1cd •fiat hu .c~ecUlctl lhc san10 as his free .and mfrimied •cl and:~~•!! f9r the purpost• stRl!:•rttterem, Md wf1h.a:full uudersianding.o'tlhe scop.e.of !he provisions conlwned therein; and; lhat:tw a o • ide·b · JI said proVISlons.

_,..--· ..

.Sul!scrihed, Sworn, aifd Staled COUNTY OF·COLLIN On this Io'-' llay of May m tne y~~r 200S, l(•nntlh V~ta Glf\b~. %n<iwn 10 m<. did pc~nally appe;uc IJ!:li>tc rtre; 311d, alltr lak·lng 1h.<oa.l.h. dcpnscs and silys. lh~t he is !he man who ex~ute<! lhC. foregoing inst(1).m< 0t: aii<l, furihC( •uitcd lh~I. h~ cxc·cu\ed ihc some "" his free aJl<! 111fom1ed act •nd deed foe th~ pufllQ<es s1a1ed lhL~cur. 1111dwith a !\ill undersianding of the scnpe ur .theprovisionsconiamod lhercm: llnd,.thar he agrecsto abide by all said provistons.

IL .J.,l 7/~· . h /fl ~ K.rinethV~nrflihbs --~~- Subscrihtd and -S\VOm ID bOfonrme-lhili 1o'h day of Moy in th~ Y"ar,2005 .. '

t:%1i,X1 ft?t·S~l.c.l:J(~;:M1M'.till R)_ih·i~. R11y_.111e:s ~rid C)lht1 h~J• -4~t ~J.O!Jrtl

23 -------------··---·

... ,, .

STATK OF TEXAS Subs~rl~lld~ Sworo, ind s..1~ COUNTY OJ.' COLLA.Ill

Oii: !his I o•r dl\Y or May· in the year .zoos. Cattdle~ <;lbbs Waltllo, .k®.WQ to ITI« did persomillY:•Ppcar before· m•; anil, afler raknig,the oath, Jify<ises <ind $ay~ !Mt sho Is th• l\l~man whQ cK~_ute!f 1he fotegoinJ! ln$.trun1cnJ; Md, fllnh~r ~1a1e.d t.haqh¢ e~!'<l.ute.d lhe·sillllc !IS her li.c and infomi~d: act and deed for the ~ltqii>~~s st\iiCil therein, titi.d Witlu .full·imdei'slaitdlog 1>f th• wope 9( the prov'is1ons c.on1aim:d \!t~rcin; iUJd._ 1ha1 sh~ agr~s t<;> abi.de by a1f said·pr,ovisions.

~~_.tww~. Candace Oihbs.Walion

Subscribed arid sworn to. ller'1'recnie this IO'' day .of May. in ttie:yc~r 2005. ' N~8~~fort~~~- .Sub.<erlbed, Sworn. 1ad S'•Jiltd COUNTV()F COLI.IN

.On 1ll)$ I01" :da)' (>( ~y 1~· t~~ }'<'ar 2oQ~. llii_W•rd "1t.ll ·{;(bl)~ l:nQ~ 10 me, did pers-Onallx appe~r :be tore· me; an~. atlcr-iakiii!J .lh• oath, deposes wid sa)'s ihat he 1s 1h-0 man who e~~utcd, the fqre11,()1n!l 1nstl\lll'.l•n1:. and, ~1!{htr ~lated 1hat be' exe~uicd the Slime a& 'his free and 1ilfoimoo acr and detd .fof 1h·qiurpos~l sMcd tlicieifi, lllid ivilh a.foll undorsral\dittg'(if lhe:seopc of' lhc provisions contained !herein; ond, that-he agre~to·abide by all said prov.isions.

Subscribed and· sworn fo before nre this Hi" day or May in.the year 2005

•

(.'onlf~1 (\'.It $ilf 6f~~~Min:t@ff3.1ghh_, 7. 1tn11"'"' ../"? ...·_/,f;f),_b i'iiu.I •A R~>~ll!0-1V'1i,l-C~tf.c1 Asi.els .u1d_lul :M.oo!\'~ ~Jlpat11u~.K1 .. _k_~ QI.

j!J-L!"l~Ci'<!.j.F7 <{6f? ?1· ~x rR.P lte.. <!. ~/P..,, '"f:e X.«S . . 7S'o/'/C? C~oo) E:< 4,.J., .J 'W,.,

Footnotes

[6] It is hereby agr~d thai there shall be a business· organization, the ~xact lype to be agrc~d upon at a lilfor date, created by the par11M· h6rcI6; and; thal all ri:venuc of any kind received from "!IY of ti)~ property andior assets covered h~rc[n s.h1111 ·11~ <kpositcd inl<> ;i b~nk accounj in that entity's. natne, an<! tha1 all cxp<mses necessai:y 10. 1he.con1inl!ation of revenue beinw paid lo .the: panks· l\.l!f'tto (1.e. ptopcny taxes on the royalties or propei:ty covcrc<.l 11.i:feln• and any a~c~ury exptlni;es:such· as wdi .lfpk¢11J!; cle;) shalJ.be Jedu~te& and p.~id as (equifod bctbr~ the 701JO d1visioo agr<led t<I m: .this contr.lcl. $ar¢ro0 shull have a 50% vote in :lli,; operation of said b.lfStness organiiatroil;· w1<1,.1he cmlyfonction of said business :organization shall b~ to rac1htalc !he agreement ·in· .this contrac.I. Any monlc.s paid out of.said business organlzanon, other than ihe ~greed upon spill between ihc paMies; shall be agre"d upon by all parlies hereto; The dil/mon shall Ile divided on a basis or 3l}% to U~r>;.ro:Ct. ;n.~4% to !(.ennct~ Yem Gib~~. ~3.33% to C:311dacc Wqlton G1.bbs, :al)<l ~3:3~% to Howard :Kirk Gibbs, at e~ch i.nst~cc of dis!'l'~•l I() th.1: P.•it.1'1l· Any p•tl>- nray dei:nand ~.split o( the assets of '!Hid bus.iness organizat(0n >it ~Y time. 1; If ~itlier po,ny ~.hould :hrcak th~ terms .,ritifngr.eemcni in a1iy- fashion, or uttempl to render 1he confrac.i invalid, in any way which would require leg;il aciion lo -co·rrt<:l or ·enforce. th~ party found: at taull, o·r the pllrty failing to 11rev11il. stiitll pay Iii! !¢gal expe-n!il!s t)f 311r1yp·c for hnnsclflhmelf. and !\Ir tfrc prevailloJn>al1Y• S Thrs coniratl is wnlicn to .comply with the laws of ihe. S\afo <>f Tex<1>; <111d, 1111y provision foulid hy a court Of eohlpe!ctit jµrisdicli'on 10 bli in non-complialli:C shall be t.\uuucd'or S:afc·t>(l..:.1tsd, i\itncnu IU!l;tit!1; Roy:.il.uc.~ 11~d-().1t.~~ A:r.~~ ;Hl'.CttOf M~liii:s - 4 lnn1ah.bf -.- ~W~iC~ ~ M . :·_. -.-:. -.k·".' L.. " d-AIL ·1 ii 1 1:MJ .J!.. . . 21 9. Notwiths1andi11g any other pr<i\<lsson under the :Jaw, it I~ express.ly agretd chat ihis contract .shall be performable only i·n Fannm County, Texas; and. any disputc(SJ, will be reso.lve.d tnth" courts. of Fannin Coumy, Texas. The sigiiing hereto ofthis contraCt h)' all purtics complete& the salo of3ll% oi'·affpropcny anti assets l1f.Gibb•.lo Barcrotl. J(l, Tl"ils aiircen:tent sha.ll bet binding on all neirs an~ ;\Ssigns <)flhe pi!r*s hereto. 11. ;-.;., lien(sl ma)' be placed 11po1rnny of the propcny covered her~m \lnl~ss such lien(s) islare agreed to by aU parti.c.s liertlQ; ·reduced 10 w111in~, and. sisned by ull par1i'* hereto !iefqre a nptarypubli.t. 1l. All agreement$ between thi: par1ies hereto arc· contained in wri!ll\!J in this contract and no verbal agreemen\s shall be oi:eliled l'aild unless coma·ined in writing. herein. All ameodincnis here10 lii\Js1 be in writing, uJitl.$igned by all parties t>efot~ a ri<ilary pulihc. 13'. Alb.ert .Lyiln Barer.oil. Kenneth VeJTI Gibhs, Can~ace. Gibb~ Waliriii. and Hu\)lard Kirk Clibbs, 1he prinoipal parties hereto, hcrehy agree 10 !his· crinlrac1 in ifs entirety without reservation,: aml, each pledge n~verro.challenge the 1enii~, c6riditions;.intentions, an;dlar l:ons1deralions under iht~ con1tact wilh tl\etr rcspecllv~ signing:h~reundcr. C!)l'ljt~ ~qt:$.af~.rJf.~ 1 • ~~Pt~1s.~1i.~ Ro\';1.h1ct;itl(( l-)IJp:r_.a.~~~U- ;u'lif!or M.l)IJl'l'.5 • 22