Jim Perschbach Successfully Defends City of Corpus Christi

July 17, 2007

Corpus Christi, TX (July 17, 2007) — Bracewell & Giuliani LL associate Jim Perschbach successfully defended the City of Corpus Christi in a First Amendment free speech case in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

In a ruling issued June 28, the court of appeals affirmed dismissal of claims against the City of Corpus Christi, which had been sued for retaliation when it switched health plan administrators. The court held that the plaintiff did not have standing to sue over the city's award of a contract to a new health plan and that, even if the plaintiff had standing, the city's bid process was objective, transparent and non-retaliatory.

“The best news for the city was the express confirmation that the city’s contracting decisions were in full compliance with Texas law,” said Mr. Perschbach.

Mr. Perschbach argued the case in New Orleans on June 6.  Houston partner Lisa Brown, Houston counsel Jackie Hollabaugh, and San Antonio associates Eric DeLeon and Mary Ann Hisel also worked on the case.