An unfavorable ruling in a commercial lawsuit can disrupt your operations, put your finances at risk, and create uncertainty that lingers for years. If a trial court decision has gone against you, you're not alone. According to business litigation statistics, small businesses file an estimated 12 million lawsuits every year. At Mims Ballew Hollingsworth (MBH Law), our business litigation appeals attorneys help Texas companies and business owners understand their options and fight for a fair outcome at the appellate level.
Key Takeaways
MBH Law represents Texas businesses in commercial litigation appeals. We handle appeals involving contract disputes, partnership and shareholder disagreements, business torts, employment claims, and insurance disputes. Our attorneys combine trial litigation experience with appellate strategy to identify reversible errors, draft persuasive briefs, and meet strict Texas appellate deadlines. We have offices in Fort Worth and Southlake and represent clients across the state.
Call us at 817-900-8330 or request a consultation.
When a Trial Court Ruling Threatens Your Business
A court ruling against your company can put everything at risk: your operations, your finances, your relationships with partners and clients, and the future you've worked to build. For many business owners, an unfavorable verdict also raises a harder question: was the outcome actually fair?
Our business litigation appeals lawyers have experience in both trial-level advocacy and appellate strategy. We know how to read a trial record, spot the errors that matter, and build a clear, focused argument for the appellate court. When you work with a Fort Worth appeals lawyer from MBH, you get attorneys who understand both the commercial stakes and the legal strategy required to challenge an unfavorable ruling.
Types of Business Disputes We appeal
Our civil appellate attorneys handle appeals across a wide range of commercial disputes, including:
- Contract disputes, including breach of contract, vendor or supplier conflicts, and lease defaults
- Partnership and shareholder disagreements
- Business tort claims such as fraud, misrepresentation, and tortious interference
- Employment disputes involving wrongful termination or non-compete enforcement
- Intellectual property conflicts
- Insurance bad faith claims
- Construction defect and real estate disputes
- LLC and corporate governance disputes
If your business faced a commercial lawsuit and the trial court ruled against you, our team of attorneys can review the record and tell you whether a viable path to appeal exists.
Grounds for Appealing a Business Litigation Verdict
Simply disagreeing with the outcome is not enough to win an appeal. Texas appellate courts review the trial record for identifiable legal errors, not to retry the case from scratch. Common grounds for appealing a business litigation verdict include:
- Abuse of discretion by the trial court judge
- Errors in applying Texas business law, including the Texas Business and Commerce Code or the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA)
- Improper admission or exclusion of key evidence
- Incorrect jury instructions that may have misled the jury
- A verdict that is not supported by legally sufficient evidence
One of the first things our attorneys do is review the trial record for such errors. If we find a credible basis for appeal, we'll explain your options clearly and help you decide whether to move forward.
The Texas Business Litigation Appeals Process
Texas appellate procedure involves strict deadlines, and missing even one of them can end your appeal before it begins. Here is a general overview of how the process works:
- Notice of Appeal: You have 30 days from the final judgment to file a notice of appeal with the trial court.
- Appellate record: The clerk's record and reporter's record are compiled from the trial court and transmitted to the court of appeals.
- Appellant's brief: You have 30 days after the record is filed to submit your opening brief laying out the legal errors and arguments for reversal.
- Appellee's brief and reply: The opposing party files a response, and you may file a reply brief.
- Oral argument: The court of appeals may grant a request for oral argument, though it is not always permitted.
- Court's decision: The court can reverse the judgment, remand the case to the trial court with instructions, modify the judgment, or affirm it as is.
A Texas attorney specializing in business litigation appeals who understands the appellate timeline can make the difference between preserving your rights and losing them to a missed deadline.
Why Choose MBH for Your Business Appeal
When your business is on the line, you need a lawyer who understands the commercial context behind your dispute and knows how to build a compelling appellate record.
Here's what distinguishes the civil appellate attorneys at MBH.
- 100+ years of combined experience across the firm in business litigation and appeals
- A proven track record in both trial courts and Texas appellate courts
- Offices in Fort Worth and Southlake, with statewide representation
- A team-based approach that brings business litigation attorneys and appellate strategists together on your case
- Recognized by Martindale-Hubbell (AV Preeminent), Super Lawyers, and Fort Worth Magazine Top Attorneys
Our team also serves as outside general counsel to businesses seeking experienced legal support without the overhead of a full in-house legal department. If you're an attorney looking for appellate co-counsel on a commercial case, we welcome those conversations, too.
Business Litigation Appeals vs. Family Law Appeals
MBH Law handles appeals in both commercial and family law matters, but these are very different areas of practice. Business litigation appeals involve commercial disputes between companies, partners, or business owners. They are governed by different legal standards, heard in different courts of appeals divisions, and require a distinct strategic approach compared to family law appeals.
If you're a business owner navigating a divorce, our attorneys can also assist with the unique concerns that arise during a divorce, including business valuation.
FAQs about Business Litigation Appeals
Protect Your Business — Request a Consultation Today
If you received an unfavorable ruling in a commercial lawsuit, don't wait. Appellate deadlines are strict, and the sooner you get experienced counsel reviewing your case, the more options you'll have.
Call 817-900-8330 or request a consultation with our attorneys today. We serve clients throughout Texas from our offices in Fort Worth and Southlake.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with MBH Law or any of its attorneys. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different, and the outcome of your matter will depend on the specific facts and applicable law.