Rich Robins v. State Bar of Texas, Commission for Lawyer Discipline, and Chief Disciplinary Counsel

Chief Justice Clerk
SCOTT BRISTER CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE
Justices
SCOTT FIELD
APRIL FARRIS

Fifteenth Court of Appeals
P.O. Box 12852, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711
www.txcourts.gov/15thcoa.aspx/
512-463-1610

April 17, 2025

Deborah Young,
Clerk of Court
Fourteenth Court of Appeals
301 Fannin, Room 245
Houston, Texas 77002
* DELIVERED VIA E-MAIL *

RE: Court of Appeals Number: 14-25-00211-CV
Trial Court Case Number: 2024-18660

Style: Rich Robins v. Commission for Lawyer Discipline d/b/a
"Texas Bar" a/k/a "State Bar of Texas"

Dear Ms. Young:

The Fourteenth Court of Appeals has informed this court of its intention to
transfer this case to the Fifteenth Court of Appeals. This decision is based on the
Appellant's statement in his notice of appeal, indicating that the appeal was intended
for the Fifteenth Court. Consequently, the trial court clerk mistakenly assigned the
case to the Fourteenth Court of Appeals. The Fifteenth Court of Appeals disagrees
with the Fourteenth Court's recommendation for the transfer.
Recent rulings from the Supreme Court of Texas clarify that a party's statement
of intent to appeal to the Fifteenth Court of Appeals is insufficient to establish
jurisdiction in this court. See Misc. Docket Orders 25-0913 and 25-9014 (Tex. 2025).
A matter is properly filed in this court if it involves either (1) appeals or writs within
this court's exclusive intermediate appellate jurisdiction, or (2) appeals transferred to
this court for docket-equalization purposes by order of the Supreme Court of Texas.
Id.

EXHIBIT A
The Fifteenth Court has exclusive intermediate jurisdiction over matters arising
from or related to civil cases involving the state or a commission in the executive
branch. Tex. Gov't Code § 22.220(d). This case does not appear to fall under our
exclusive jurisdiction, as the Commission for Lawyer Discipline is part of the
judiciary rather than the executive branch. Additionally, it does not involve a claim
against an entity or party pertinent to the executive branch of the State of Texas.
The State Bar of Texas is a public corporation and an administrative agency of
the judiciary. Tex. Gov't Code § 81.011. It is governed by a board of directors. Tex.
Gov’t Code § 81.020. However, the state bar operates under the administrative control
of the Supreme Court of Texas. Tex. Gov’t Code § 81.011(c). This chapter supports
the judiciary's authority to regulate the practice of law. Id. § 81.011(b).
Attorneys fall under the disciplinary and disability jurisdiction of the Supreme
Court of Texas and the Commission for Lawyer Discipline, a committee within the
state bar. Tex. Gov't Code § 81.071. The Commission for Lawyer Discipline reports
to the board, the Supreme Court, and annually to the legislature regarding the state of
the attorney discipline system. Tex. Gov't Code § 81.076(h).
In his notice of appeal, Mr. Robins claims that this court has exclusive
jurisdiction because he is challenging "the constitutionality or validity of certain state
rules involving the attorney general." However, the notice of appeal does not specify
the challenged rules or statutes. Section 22.220(d)(2) requires a challenge to "the
constitutionality or validity of a state statute" and mandates that the attorney general
be a party to the case. Tex. Gov’t Code § 22.220(d)(2). There is no indication that the
Attorney General of the State of Texas is involved in this matter.
Based on the reasons outlined above, the case should not be transferred to this
court. Please let me know if you need any additional information
Sincerely,

____________________________
Christopher A. Prine, Clerk

cc: Rich Robins (DELIVERED VIA EFILE TEXAS)
Royce Lemoine (DELIVERED VIA EFILE TEXAS)