Abraham Watkins Nicholas Agosto Aziz & Strogner v. Edward Festeryga

Date: 09-11-2025

Case Number: 22-CV-4249

Judge: George C Hanks, Jr.

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Harris County)

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Defendant's Attorney:

Description: Houston, Texas, civil litigation lawyers represented the parties in tort theories.

Abraham Watkins Nichols Agosto Aziz & Stogner, a Texas law firm, sued its former associate, Edward Festeryga, in Texas state court for various state-law torts. The firm secured a temporary restraining order and moved for expedited discovery to obtain communications and documents in Festeryga’s possession. Festeryga responded with a motion to dismiss under
Texas’s anti-SLAPP statute—the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA). That filing automatically stayed discovery, though the parties later stipulated to a protective order, and Festeryga agreed to produce limited materials.

The Defendant sought to removed the case to the Southern District of Texas based on the amount in controversy and complete diversity of citizenship.

The Plaintiff sought to have the case remanded to the 11th Judicial District Court, Harris County, TX, 22-76196.

Outcome: The District Court granted the motion to remand.

Reverse.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: