Texas’s new Business Court has seated its first-ever jury in a high-stakes $200 million oil contract dispute, marking a milestone in the state’s effort to position itself as a premier venue for complex corporate litigation.
Presiding Judge Sofia Adrogué empaneled 12 jurors and two alternates in Houston for Powers v. Berry, a case involving alleged exclusion from a billion-dollar crude oil delivery and terminal project in Corpus Christi. Unlike the judge-only decisions common in specialized business courts such as Delaware’s Chancery Court, this trial will test whether juries can effectively resolve complex, high-value commercial disputes.
Plaintiff Ted Powers claims he is owed up to $200 million after being excluded from the project by members of the Berry family. He asserts he had a signed agreement granting him 20% ownership and monthly compensation. Jurors must determine whether all required parties signed the agreement.
The case highlights the speed and ambition of Texas’s Business Court, which opened in September 2024 and is supported by Gov. Greg Abbott as part of a broader effort to attract corporations to Texas. Despite procedural complexities, including multiple appeals, hearings, and a failed mediation, the court advanced the case to trial in just 15 months.
The outcome will be closely watched as a test of Texas’s new judicial experiment at the intersection of energy, corporate governance, and commercial law.
Source: Bloomberg Law
Original Story: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/securities-law/texas-business-court-seats-first-jury-in-200-million-oil-case
Location: Houston / Corpus Christi, Texas