Stephens & Johnson Operating Co. Henry W. Breyer, III, Trust CAH, Ltd.-MOPI for Capital Account CAH, Ltd.-Stivers Capital Account CAH, Ltd.-Wiegand Resources Capital Account Wiegand Resources C.T. Carden Myrl W. Deitch Trust E.R. Godbout Family Tru v. Charles W. Schroeder, Elsie A. Schroeder Schneider, Hollis London, Terry Mengers Reel, Ted Mengers, Debbie Mengers Quates, August H. Setinmeyer, Carole Schroeder Miller, James M. Schroeder, Sally Schroeder Tinanus, James E. Schroeder, Sue Schroeder Stanfo ( 2015 )


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  •                                                                                          ACCEPTED
    04-14-00167-CV
    FOURTH COURT OF APPEALS
    SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
    3/9/2015 2:43:05 PM
    KEITH HOTTLE
    CLERK
    No. 04-14-00167-CV
    In the                            FILED IN
    Fourth Court of Appeals             4th COURT OF APPEALS
    at San Antonio, Texas               SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
    03/9/2015 2:43:05 PM
    ____________________                  KEITH E. HOTTLE
    Clerk
    Stephens & Johnson Operating Co., et al.,
    Appellants,
    vs.
    Charles W. Schroeder, et al.,
    Appellees.
    ____________________
    Appealed from the 229th District Court of
    Jim Hogg County, Texas
    Cause No. CC-04-143
    Appellees’ Brief
    Baldemar Garcia Jr.
    Texas Bar No. 00790740
    email: bgarcia@personwhiworth.com
    lead appellate counsel for appellees
    Martha Cigarroa de Llano
    Texas Bar No. 04250800
    email: mdellano@personwhitworth.com
    PWBM, LLP
    602 East Calton Road, 2nd Floor (78041)
    P. O. Drawer 6668 (78042)
    Laredo, Texas
    voice 956.727.4441
    facsimile 956.727.2696
    Appellees Conditionally Request Oral Argument
    Table of Contents
    Index of Authorities....................................................................................................3
    Statement of the Case .................................................................................................5
    Statement Regarding Oral Argument ........................................................................5
    Replies to Issues Presented.........................................................................................6
    1. Generally speaking, an oil and gas lease terminates if there is no drilling
    activity or production after the expiration of its primary term. Schroeder presented
    an expert witness affidavit proving no drilling or production after the primary term
    on the Stephens & Johnson Operating Co. lease. Stephens & Johnson Operating
    Co. did not file an opposing affidavit. Was the declaration of termination by
    summary judgment proper? ................................................................................... 6
    2. Reasonable attorneys’ fees are provable by billing records showing the date,
    rate, number of hours, and description of work. Opposing affidavits cannot be
    conclusory. Schroeder offered their attorneys’ affidavit and billing records.
    Stephens & Johnson Operating Co. filed a counter-affidavit characterizing the fees
    as excessive and unreasonable, but did not challenge the hourly rates or specifically
    object to any of the submitted hours. Did the summary judgment attorneys’ fees
    award constitute an abuse of discretion? ............................................................... 6
    Statement of Facts.......................................................................................................6
    I. Record References ............................................................................................. 6
    II. The 10 Year Lease Termination Odyssey .......................................................... 6
    Summary of Argument ...............................................................................................9
    Argument ................................................................................................................... 10
    I. Unchallenged Declaratory Judgment on Lease Termination ............................. 10
    II. Attorneys’ Fees ............................................................................................... 11
    A. Standard of Review .................................................................................... 11
    B. Reasonableness Factors ............................................................................... 11
    C. Proving Reasonable Fees ............................................................................. 12
    D. Challenging Fees ......................................................................................... 13
    E. Schroeders’ Reasonable and Necessary Attorneys’ Fees .............................. 14
    Page 2 of 18
    Prayer.......................................................................................................................... 15
    Certificate of compliance ........................................................................................ 16
    Appendix.................................................................................................................... 18
    Index of Authorities
    Cases
    Arthur Andersen & Co. v. Perry Equip. Corp., 
    945 S.W.2d 812
    (Tex. 1997) ........... 11
    Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. v. Dieterich, 
    270 S.W.3d 695
    (Tex. App.—Dallas 2008,
    no pet.) ................................................................................................................... 11
    Basin Credit Consultants, Inc. v. Obregon, 
    2 S.W.3d 372
    (Tex. App.—San Antonio
    1999, pet. denied) ...................................................................................... 12, 13, 14
    Bexar County v. Deputy Sheriff ’s Ass’n, 
    429 S.W.3d 673
    (Tex. App.—San Antonio
    2014, no pet.) ......................................................................................................... 10
    Bocquet v. Herring, 
    972 S.W.2d 19
    (Tex. 1998) ......................................................... 10
    Cammack the Cook, LLC v. Eastburn, 
    296 S.W.2d 884
    (Tex. App.—Texarkana
    2009, pet. denied) .................................................................................................. 13
    City of Laredo v. Montano, 
    414 S.W.3d 731
    (Tex. 2013) .................................... 12, 14
    Clearview Properties, L.P. v. Property Tex. SC One Corp., 
    287 S.W.3d 132
    (Tex.
    App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, pet. denied) ................................................. 12
    El Apple I, Ltd. v. Olivas, 
    370 S.W.3d 757
    (Tex. 2012) ............................... 11, 12, 14
    Goode v. Shoukfeh, 
    943 S.W.2d 441
    (Tex. 1997) ....................................................... 10
    Holman v. Meridian Oil, Inc., 
    988 S.W.2d 802
    (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1999, pet.
    denied) .................................................................................................................... 10
    Jarvis v. Rocanville Corp., 
    298 S.W.3d 305
    (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009, pet. denied) 11
    Kidd v. Hogett, 
    331 S.W.2d 515
    (Tex. Civ. App.—San Antonio 1959, writ ref ’d
    n.r.e.) ....................................................................................................................... 10
    Page 3 of 18
    Rapid Settlements, Ltd. v. Settlement Funding, LLC, 
    358 S.W.3d 777
    (Tex. App.—
    Houston [14th Dist.] 2012, no pet.) ..................................................................... 11
    State & Cnty. Mut. Fire Ins. Co. ex rel. So. United Gen. Agency of Tex. v. Walker, 
    228 S.W.3d 404
    (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2007, no pet.) ......................................... 11
    Rules
    TEX. DISCIPLINARY R. PROF. CONDUCT 1.04 ........................................................ 11
    TEX. R. APP. P. 9.4 ..................................................................................................... 15
    TEX. R. APP. P. 9.5 ..................................................................................................... 16
    No. 04-14-00167-CV
    Stephens & Johnson Operating Co., et al.,
    Appellants,
    vs.
    Charles W. Schroeder, et al.,
    Appellees.
    Appellees’ Brief
    To the Honorable Fourth Court of Appeals:
    Now Come appellees (1) Charles W. Schroeder; (2) Elsie A. Schroeder-
    Schneider; (3) Hollis London; (4) Terry Mengers-Reel; (5) Ted Mengers; (6)
    Debbie Mengers-Quates; (7) August H. Steinmeyer; (8) Carole Schroeder-
    Miller; (9) James M. Schroeder; (10) Sally Schroeder-Tinanus; (11) James E.
    Schroeder; (12) Sue Schroeder-Stanford; (13) Bill Schroeder; (14) Wayne
    Hennecke; (15) Diane Hennecke-Rhodes; (16) Jerri James; (17) W. Tom Haley;
    Page 4 of 18
    and (18) Peggy Hailey and file this their brief, and in support thereof, would
    respectfully show unto the Appellate Court as follows, to-wit:
    Statement of the Case
    This appeal seeks review of a summary judgment declaring the termination of
    a 43-year-old oil and gas lease and awarding related attorneys’ fees and costs.
    Statement Regarding Oral Argument
    Appellant Genessee did not request oral argument, but the other 16 appellants
    did. All 18 appellees join the request for oral argument from the 16 appellants,
    and concede to submission without oral argument per appellant Genessee.
    Page 5 of 18
    Replies to Issues Presented
    1.     Generally speaking, an oil and gas lease terminates if there is no
    drilling activity or production after the expiration of its primary term.
    Schroeder presented an expert witness affidavit proving no drilling or
    production after the primary term on the Stephens & Johnson Operating
    Co. lease. Stephens & Johnson Operating Co. did not file an opposing
    affidavit. Was the declaration of termination by summary judgment
    proper?
    2.    Reasonable attorneys’ fees are provable by billing records showing
    the date, rate, number of hours, and description of work. Opposing
    affidavits cannot be conclusory. Schroeder offered their attorneys’
    affidavit and billing records. Stephens & Johnson Operating Co. filed a
    counter-affidavit characterizing the fees as excessive and unreasonable,
    but did not challenge the hourly rates or specifically object to any of the
    submitted hours. Did the summary judgment attorneys’ fees award
    constitute an abuse of discretion?
    Statement of Facts
    I. Record References
    Three clerk’s records were filed in this appeal: (1) Vol. 1 dated 4/10/2014
    consisting of pages 1-168; (2) Vol. 2 dated 4/10/2014 consisting of pages 1-
    293; and (3) Vol. 1 dated 5/1/2014 consisting of pages 1-348. In addition to
    non-exclusive and thus duplicative numbering, there is also extensive
    duplication of pleadings and documents amongst the three records. To ensure
    completeness at the risk of inefficiency, all record references in this brief will
    be to the last filed record on 5/1/2014 numbered 1-348.
    II. The 10 Year Lease Termination Odyssey
    A little over ten years ago, 18 plaintiffs/appellees (collectively “Schroeder”)
    filed suit seeking the termination of a May 1, 1972 oil and gas lease on 306.71
    Page 6 of 18
    acres of land located in Jim Hogg County, Texas. (CR at 1-9) The initial basis
    of termination was an unexplained 7-month total cessation of oil and gas
    production (from July 2003 to January 2004) without any drilling activity that
    occurred 26 years after the 5-year primary term had expired. (CR 5-6)
    After a year of adding approximately 30 defendants in the 1st and 2nd amended
    petitions, Schroeder then moved for summary judgment in mid 2007. (CR at
    12-25; 49-61; 63-68) The goal of the summary judgment motion was a
    declaration that the oil gas lease expired and plaintiffs were entitled to
    attorneys’ fees. (CR at 63-68) The summary judgment motion attached as an
    appendix: (1) the subject oil and gas lease, (2) a petroleum engineer’s report
    with pertinent Texas Railroad Commission documents establishing the
    complete cessation of production, and (3) an attorney’s affidavit regarding
    associated fees. (CR at 66; 71-73 [lease]; 74-75 [report]; 76-115 [RRC
    supporting documentation]; 116-18 [attorneys’ fees]) The appendix was
    incorporated by reference in the motion, and the motion expressly referred to
    the “affidavit of Martha Cigarroa de Llano in support of attorney’s fees and
    costs expended herein.” (CR at 66)
    Defendant/appellant Genessee filed a 4-page response questioning the
    authenticity of the lease, lodging hearsay objections to unidentified RRC
    documents, and attaching an affidavit disagreeing with the amount of
    Schroeder’s attorneys’ fees. (CR at 124-128) The opposing attorney’s fees
    affidavit did not challenge the hourly rate claimed by Schroeder’s counsel, nor
    did it state how many hours would have been reasonable and necessary. (CR at
    130) Some of the co-defendants/appellants adopted the response filed by
    Page 7 of 18
    Genessee. (CR at 164 [6], 171 [1], 174-75 [1], 178-79) A counter-report
    regarding cessation of production was not provided.
    Before their summary judgment could be heard, plaintiffs amended their
    petition for a third time. (CR 133-47)
    By early 2013, plaintiffs filed a fourth amended their petition and supplemented
    their motion for summary judgment asserting non-production from July 1,
    2003 to January 31, 2004 and from April 2005 to the present. (CR at 214-228;
    242-47) The legal basis for the summary judgment remained the same:
    • the standard, express language of the lease requiring production to
    perpetuate the lease (CR at 245-46; 71-73);
    • the easily-controvertible but uncontested affidavits of a petroleum
    engineer demonstrating the 7-month lack of production between July
    2003 and January 2004 and thereafter the non-production from April
    2005 to the present, as documented by the attached Texas Railroad
    Commission records (CR at 253-56; 270-79; 76-115); and
    • resulting attorneys’ fees described by affidavit and detailed by an
    authenticated, 11-page billing statement detailing each expense and
    itemizing every billing entry by date, description, applicable rate, and
    increment of time in tenth or quarter hour. (CR at 257-58, 259-69)
    The supplemental motion incorporated by reference the attached appendix
    consisting of the lease, the engineers’ affidavits and supporting RRC
    documents, and the attorney’s affidavit and billing records “in support of
    attorney’s fees and costs expended.” (CR at 244-45) Defendants/appellants
    filed a new response complaining that the request for termination was vague
    Page 8 of 18
    and objecting to Schroeders’ attorneys’ fees. (CR at 280-86, 290, 296) Again,
    the opposing affidavits did not challenge the hourly rates charged by
    Schroeders’ counsel or state how many hours would have been reasonable and
    necessary. (CR at 289, 295)
    On December 11, 2013, being a little over 10 years after suit was originally
    filed, the trial court granted summary judgment on Schroeders’ termination
    claim based on cessation of production. (CR at 298-301) Attorneys’ fees and
    costs of $63,787.95 were awarded only against appellant/defendant Stephens &
    Johnson Operating Co. (CR at 300)
    Summary of Argument
    The underlying litigation was filed over 10 years ago, and the substance of the
    summary judgment being reviewed has been on file for 7 ½ years. The trial
    court declared terminated a 1972 oil and gas lease for a cessation of production
    occurring from 2003-2004 and then from 2005 to present. The summary
    judgment movants/appellees Schroeder proved termination by expert witness
    affidavits and supporting Texas Railroad Commission documents. The non-
    movants/appellants opposed summary judgment but did not attach counter-
    affidavits. The appellants now do not appear to oppose termination by
    summary judgment in their briefs to this Appellate Court.
    In addition to success on their request for a declaration of termination,
    Schroeder was awarded attorneys’ fees against appellant Stephens & Johnson
    Operating Co. only. Schroeders’ attorneys’ fees proof consisted of an affidavit
    and supporting billing records showing the date, rate, amount of time, and
    description of services for every fee entry. Appellant Stephens & Johnson
    Page 9 of 18
    Operating Co. filed an opposing affidavit that complained of attorneys’ fees
    generally but not addressing any single entry specifically. The trial court did not
    abuse its discretion in awarding attorneys’ fees.
    Argument
    I. Unchallenged Declaratory Judgment on Lease Termination
    By their briefs in this Appellate Court, appellants for the first time admit there
    is no dispute or justiciable controversy as to the cessation of production and
    consequently concede termination of the subject oil and gas lease. (Appellants
    Stephens & Johnson Operating Co.’s brief, p. 4-9; Appellant Genessee’s brief, p.
    4-6) These concessions were not made in the trial court, where appellants
    sought the denial of Schroeders’ summary judgment motions. (CR at 281-82,
    292)
    Schroeder attached to their summary judgment motions an expert affidavit and
    supporting RRC documentation proving a termination due to a cessation of
    production since April 2005; appellants did not provide any opposing summary
    judgment proof. Appellants also did not submit any summary judgment proof
    to show that the terminated oil and gas lease had been released, which would
    have mooted any possible controversy. Kidd v. Hogett, 
    331 S.W.2d 515
    , 517 (Tex.
    Civ. App.—San Antonio 1959, writ ref ’d n.r.e.); Holman v. Meridian Oil, Inc., 
    988 S.W.2d 802
    , 805-06 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1999, pet. denied); (CR at 226)
    Without controverting evidence raising a fact issue, a summary judgment
    declaration that resolved a disputed lease termination was proper.
    Page 10 of 18
    II. Attorneys’ Fees
    A. Standard of Review
    Abuse of discretion is the standard of review for an award of attorneys’ fees in
    a declaratory judgment action. Bocquet v. Herring, 
    972 S.W.2d 19
    , 21 (Tex. 1998).
    A trial court abuses its discretion when it rules arbitrarily, unreasonably, or
    without regard to guiding legal principles. Goode v. Shoukfeh, 
    943 S.W.2d 441
    , 446
    (Tex. 1997). There are four limitations on the trial court’s discretion: the fees
    must be (1) reasonable, (2) necessary, (3) equitable, and (4) just. 
    Bocquet, 972 S.W.2d at 21
    . Reasonableness and necessity are questions of fact; equity and
    justness are questions of law. Bexar County v. Deputy Sheriff ’s Ass’n, 
    429 S.W.3d 673
    , 677 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2014, no pet.).
    B. Reasonableness Factors
    In assessing the reasonableness of an attorneys’ fee award, eight non-exclusive
    factors can be considered:
    (1) the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the
    questions involved, and the skill required to perform the legal
    service properly;
    (2) the likelihood … that the acceptance of the particular
    employment will preclude other employment by the lawyer;
    (3) the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal
    services;
    (4) the amount involved and the results obtained;
    (5) the time limitations imposed by the client or by the
    circumstances;
    (6) the nature and length of the professional relationship with the
    client;
    Page 11 of 18
    (7) the experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer or lawyers
    performing the services; and
    (8) whether the fee is fixed or contingent on results obtained or
    uncertainty of collection before the legal services have been
    rendered.
    Arthur Andersen & Co. v. Perry Equip. Corp., 
    945 S.W.2d 812
    , 818 (Tex.
    1997)(citing TEX. DISCIPLINARY R. PROF. CONDUCT 1.04, reprinted in TEX. GOV’T
    CODE, tit. 2, subtit. G app. (STATE BAR RULES, art. X, § 9). Evidence on each
    factor is not required. Rapid Settlements, Ltd. v. Settlement Funding, LLC, 
    358 S.W.3d 777
    , 786 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2012, no pet.); Arthur J.
    Gallagher & Co. v. Dieterich, 
    270 S.W.3d 695
    , 706 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2008, no
    pet.); State & Cnty. Mut. Fire Ins. Co. ex rel. So. United Gen. Agency of Tex. v.
    Walker, 
    228 S.W.3d 404
    , 408 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2007, no pet.). Other
    factors that can establish reasonableness include the entire record and the
    common knowledge of the attorneys and judges. Rapid 
    Settlements, 358 S.W.3d at 786
    ; Jarvis v. Rocanville Corp., 
    298 S.W.3d 305
    , 318 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009,
    pet. denied).
    C. Proving Reasonable Fees
    Reasonable attorneys’ fees may be calculated and proved using the lodestar
    method. El Apple I, Ltd. v. Olivas, 
    370 S.W.3d 757
    , 760-61 (Tex. 2012). Lodestar
    calculation involves two steps: (1) the court determines the reasonable number
    of hours and a reasonable hourly rate and then (2) the number of hours is
    multiplied by the applicable rate, the product being the lodestar fee. 
    Id. Lodestar proof
    requires evidence of: (1) the nature of the work; (2) who
    performed the services and their rate; (3) approximately when the services were
    performed; and (4) the number of hours worked. El 
    Apple, 370 S.W.3d at 762
    -
    Page 12 of 18
    64. This proof will almost always depend on corroboration by
    contemporaneous billing records. 
    Id. Trial courts
    are accorded considerable
    deference in determining fees that are not excessive, redundant, or
    unreasonable, and lodestar fees are presumptively reasonable. El 
    Apple, 370 S.W.3d at 764-65
    .
    The importance of billing records to support attorneys’ fee awards was again
    stressed by the Texas Supreme Court in City of Laredo v. Montano, 
    414 S.W.3d 731
    (Tex. 2013)(per curiam).
    D. Challenging Fees
    Whether segregation is required between claims that allow for a recovery of
    attorney’s fees and claims that do not is a question of law. Clearview Properties,
    L.P. v. Property Tex. SC One Corp., 
    287 S.W.3d 132
    , 143 (Tex. App.—Houston
    [14th Dist.] 2009, pet. denied).
    To avoid summary judgment on attorneys’ fees, a non-movant must do more
    than just file a conclusory counter-affidavit criticizing the fees as unreasonable
    and excessive. Basin Credit Consultants, Inc. v. Obregon, 
    2 S.W.3d 372
    , 373-74 (Tex.
    App.—San Antonio 1999, pet. denied). In Obregon, the summary judgment
    movant attached her counsel’s affidavit stating his experience and basis for his
    opinion on the reasonableness of his attorney’s fees. 
    Id. The non-movant
    then
    tried to raise a fact issue by competing affidavit:
    The attorney’s fees alleged by Plaintiff ’s Motion for Summary
    Judgment are not reasonable and necessary for the sum sued
    upon. Attorney fees for Plaintiff should be less than $4,000.00.
    The hourly rate of $175.00 per hour is excessive by Plaintiff ’s
    attorney and should be $125.00 per hour. The number of hours
    Page 13 of 18
    to complete Plaintiff ’s attorneys services should be less than 30
    hours.
    
    Id. at n.2.
    Because the counter-affidavit did not provide the affiant’s
    qualifications or basis of his opinion as to what a reasonable fee might be, it
    was held conclusory and insufficient. 
    Id. Similarly, in
    Cammack the Cook, LLC v. Eastburn, the summary judgment non-
    movant’s affidavit did not raise a fact issue by merely complaining that “the
    attorney’s fees plaintiff ’s attorney claims are not necessary or reasonable, and
    they are an excessive and bad faith demand” without any challenge to the
    number of hours expended, hourly rate, or necessity. 
    296 S.W.2d 884
    , 894-95
    (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009, pet. denied).
    E. Schroeders’ Reasonable and Necessary Attorneys’ Fees
    The trial court did not abuse its discretion in awarding Schroeder $63,787.95 in
    attorneys’ fees and costs for successful oil and gas litigation that consumed
    over 10 years to liberate 306.71 mineral acres of land. Schroeders’ attorneys’ fee
    proof was sworn and documented by 11 pages of authenticated,
    contemporaneous billing records describing every date of work, exact number
    of incremental and total hours of the work (324 total hours), a substantive
    description of the work, and the applicable rate for the work. (CR at 257-69)
    The affidavit proof was unchallenged as to the preclusion of other work
    imposed by this representation and the hourly rates charged. (CR at 288-89)
    Lodestar fees, like Schroeders’, are presumptively reasonable.
    Although the total amount of fees and costs was challenged by appellant
    Stephens & Johnson Operating Co. (the only defendant liable for attorneys’
    fees and costs), an appropriate fee was not suggested. The counter-affidavit
    Page 14 of 18
    interposed legal conclusions (“legally sufficient evidence” and “equitable or
    just”), made factual conclusions (“grossly disproportionate” and “excessive,
    unreasonable”), and challenged the number of hours applicable to preparing
    and prosecuting summary judgment motions—and not the underlying claims.
    (CR at 288-89) Despite having access to each billing entry by date, amount, and
    substantive description, appellant Stephens & Johnson Operating Co. did not
    specifically object or request segregation for a single entry.
    Appellees Schroeder’s attorneys’ fees proof adheres to the recent high hurdles
    in El Apple and Montano set by the Texas Supreme Court over the last 2 years,
    while appellant Stephens & Johnson Operating Co.’s does not clear the low
    hurdle of Obregon set 16 years ago by this Appellate Court. The award of
    attorneys’ fees and costs is further insulated from reversal by the deferential
    abuse of discretion standard of review, and should be affirmed.
    Prayer
    Wherefore, Premises Considered, appellees respectfully request this Appellate
    Court to affirm the trial court’s declaratory judgment as to the termination of
    the subject oil and gas lease and the associated award of attorneys’ fees and
    costs, and appellees further respectfully request any additional relief, both
    general and special, at law or in equity, to which they may be justly entitled to
    receive.
    Page 15 of 18
    Respectfully submitted,
    /s/ Baldemar Garcia Jr.
    Baldemar Garcia Jr.
    Texas Bar No. 00790740
    email: bgarcia@personwhitworth.com
    lead appellate counsel for appellees
    Martha Cigarroa de Llano
    Texas Bar No. 04250800
    email: mdellano@personwhitworth.com
    PWBM, LLP
    602 East Calton Road, 2nd Floor (78041)
    P. O. Drawer 6668 (78042)
    Laredo, Texas
    voice 956.727.4441
    facsimile 956.727.2696
    Certificate of compliance
    According to the word count feature in Microsoft Word, this brief is 2,346
    words, excluding the caption, identities of parties and counsel, statement
    regarding oral argument, table of contents, index of authorities, statement of
    the case, statement of issues presented, statement of jurisdiction, statement of
    procedural history, signature, proof of service, certification, certificate of
    compliance, and appendix. TEX. R. APP. P. 9.4.(i)(15,000 applicable word limit).
    /s/ Baldemar Garcia Jr.
    Page 16 of 18
    Certificate of service
    Appellees’ brief was served by electronic mail on all counsel of record on
    March 9, 2015. TEX. R. APP. P. 9.5.
    Augustin Rivera Jr.
    Dunn, Weathered, Coffey, Rivera, & Kasperitis, PC
    611 South Upper Broadway
    Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
    facsimile 361.883.1599
    email: ariverajr@swbell.net
    Lynse L. Guerra
    Skaggs & Guerra, LLP
    710 Laurel
    P. O. Drawer 2285
    McAllen, Texas 78502
    facsimile 956.630.6570
    email: sgllp@sbcglobal.net
    /s/ Baldemar Garcia Jr.
    Baldemar Garcia Jr.
    Page 17 of 18
    No. 04-14-00167-CV
    Stephens & Johnson Operating Co., et al.,
    Appellants,
    vs.
    Charles W. Schroeder, et al.,
    Appellees.
    Appendix
    1. Order granting summary judgment
    2. Schroeder’s attorneys’ fees affidavit and attachments
    3. Stephens & Johnson Operating Co. counter-affidavit
    Page 18 of 18
    FILED IN
    4th COURT OF APPEALS
    SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
    03/9/2015 2:43:05 PM
    KEITH E. HOTTLE
    Clerk
    FILED IN
    4th COURT OF APPEALS
    SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
    03/9/2015 2:43:05 PM
    KEITH E. HOTTLE
    Clerk
    FILED IN
    4th COURT OF APPEALS
    SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
    03/9/2015 2:43:05 PM
    KEITH E. HOTTLE
    Clerk