El Paso Natural Gas Co. v. Berryman

This is a usury case. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of petitioner El Paso Natural Gas Company (El Paso) on the grounds of res judicata, collateral estoppel, law of the ease, and the “one satisfaction” rule. The court of appeals reversed and remanded, holding that El Paso did not establish these affirmative defenses as a matter of law. 838 S.W.2d 610 (1992). Because we find Berryman’s claims barred by the one satisfaction rule and collateral estoppel, we reverse the judgment of the court of appeals and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

I

Berryman sued both El Paso and…