In re Coppola

In this tort suit arising from a real-estate transaction, relators Frank and Bridget Coppola seek mandamus relief from an order denying leave to designate the plaintiffs’- transactional attorneys as responsible third parties. The motion to designate, which was filed long after an initial trial date but more than sixty days before a new trial setting, was timely. See Tex. Civ. Prac.& Rem. Code § 33.004. Trial courts have no discretion to deny a timely filed motion to designate absent a pleading, defect and an opportunity to cure, which did not occur here. See id. We therefore conditionally…