Robert Porras v. Mary L. Jeferrson, Independent of the Estate of Andrew L. Jefferson, Jr.

OPINION

JEFFREY V. BROWN, Justice.

Appellant Roberto Porras appeals the trial court’s order dismissing with preju dice his breach-of-contract claim and other claims against the appellee. The trial court, on its own motion, dismissed Por-ras’s claims after discussing the parties’ intended presentations of evidence at the start of trial. Because we conclude the trial court abused its discretion, we reverse and remand.

I

In April 2008, Porras retained attorney Andrew L. Jefferson to represent him in a family-law matter. Porras signed a letter agreement with Jefferson and another lawyer, Lawrence F.…