Grant v. Thirteenth Court of Appeals

This original proceeding presents the issue of whether a law firm must be disqualified from ongoing litigation because it temporarily employed a legal secretary who had previously worked for opposing counsel. The court of appeals directed the trial court to vacate its disqualification order. Occidental Chem. Corp. v. Brown, 877 S.W.2d 27 (Tex.App.1994). We hold that disqualification is required under the facts presented, and therefore direct the court of appeals to. vacate its judgment.

The underlying litigation arises from a chemical release in Robstown, Texas, in October 1992. An attorney…