In Re AutoNation, Inc.

Chief Justice JEFFERSON, Justice HECHT, Justice WAINWRIGHT, Justice BRISTER, Justice MEDINA, Justice GREEN, and Justice JOHNSON joined.

Relator AutoNation, Inc. sued Garrick Hatfield in Florida to enforce a covenant not to compete. In the employment contract containing the covenant, AutoNation and Hatfield had agreed to litigate any disputes arising under the contract in Florida under Florida law. Hatfield later sued AutoNation in Texas under the contract. The trial court declined to dismiss or stay this action and enjoined AutoNation from pursuing its first-filed Florida lawsuit. AutoNation…