The 9-0 ruling by the U.S Supreme Court that the firm’s clients can pursue litigation against the State of Texas for unlawful taking of property led to numerous media reports and the firm’s designation as one of the week’s “Legal Lions” by Law360. At issue in Devillier v. Texas is a barrier the state put up along sections of Interstate 10, which led to flooding of the land alongside the highway. With the firm’s Daniel Charest, as lead counsel, and the guidance of Larry Vincent, the plaintiffs claimed the state had violated the Fifth Amendment in taking value without just compensation. Texas had argued it could not be sued under the federal constitution’s Takings Clause in federal court over the matter. But the US Supreme Court sided with the Burns Charest clients and allowed the claims to advance.
In addition to the Law360 recognition of Daniel Charest, Larry Vincent, and Charles Irvine, of Irvine & Connor, as one of the week’s top legal accomplishments, Mr. Charest reacted to the ruling in interviews with The Texas Tribune, The Texas Lawbook, and the Beaumont Enterprise.