Pontchartrain Natural Gas System, k/d/s Promix, L.L.C., and Acadian Gas Pipeline System VS Texas Brine Company, LLC
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STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL FIRST CIRCUIT NO. 2018 CA 0360 PONTCHARTRAIN NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, K/D/ S PROMIX, L.L. C., AND ACADIAN GAS PIPELINE SYSTEM VERSUS TEXAS BRINE COMPANY, LLC Judgment Rendered: JUL 0 3 2019 On Appeal from the 23rd Judicial District Court In and for the Parish of Assumption State of Louisiana Trial Court No. 34, 265 Honorable Thomas J. Kliebert, Jr., Judge Presiding MEMMM Leopold Z. Sher Attorneys for Appellant/Defendant, James M. Garner Third -Party Plaintiff, Texas Brine Company, LLC Peter L. Hilbert, Jr. Jeffrey D. Kessler New Orleans, LA Travis J. Turner Gonzales, LA Robert Ryland Percy, III Gonzales, LA Eric J. Mayer Houston, TX Matthew J. Randazzo, III Attorneys for Appellee/ Defendant, Christopher B. Bailey Third Party Defendant, Browning Oil Company, Inc. Will Montz Lafayette, LA BEFORE: HIGGINBOTHAM, CRAIN, AND PENZATO, JJ. HIGGINBOTHAM, J. Appellant/third-party plaintiff, Texas Brine Company, LLC (" Texas challenges the district court' s August 21, Brine"), 2017 summary judgment dismissing Pontchartrain Natural Gas System, K/D/ S Promix, L.L.C., and Acadian plaintiffs', Gas Pipeline System ( collectively " Pontchartrain"), claims against appellee/third- party defendant, Browning Oil Company, Inc. (" Browning"). This ongoing matter has been before this court on numerous occasions, the most recent of which was an appeal by Texas Brine concerning a judgment that granted an involuntary dismissal in favor of Browning, dismissing all claims See Pontchartrain Natural Gas System against Browning at the trial on liability. v. Texas Brine Company, LLC, 2018- 0631 ( La. App. 1st Cir. 7/ 3/ 19), So. 3d The factual background and procedural history of the litigation leading to that particular appeal will not be repeated herein; we adopt by reference that which was set forth in that opinion, affirming the involuntary dismissal of all claims against Browning. This court is bound to follow our decision affirming the dismissal of all of the parties' claims against Browning. See Pontchartrain Natural Gas System v. Texas Brine Company, LLC, 2018- 0004 ( La. App. 1st Cir. 6/ 6/ 18), 255 So. 3d 6441 645, writ denied, 2018- 1431 ( La. 12/ 3/ 18), 257 So. 3d 1259. Because this court affirmed the district court' s ruling that Browning is free of liability in the sinkhole litigation and Browning has been dismissed, there is absolutely no need for further discussion or analysis dismissing claims against Browning. render advisory opinions. 2/ 10/ 12), of a pre- trial summary judgment ruling It is well settled that appellate courts will not See Tobin v. Jindal, 2011- 0838 ( 91 So. 3d 317, 321. La. App. 1st Cir. For that reason, we affirm the August 21, 2017 judgment on appeal. 2 Additionally, we deny Browning' s motion to dismiss this appeal as moot since our decision affirming the district court' s involuntary dismissal of Browning is not a final and definitive judgment until the Louisiana Supreme Court denies any possible application for certiorari or the delays run for applying for certiorari and/ or rehearing. See La. Code Civ. P. arts. 2166( D) & ( E) and 2167( C). Pontchartrain, 255 So. 3d at 648. See also If the supreme court does not reverse our decision on Browning' s involuntary dismissal, at that point the judgment will be final and will acquire the authority of a thing adjudged, jurisdiction to change. Id. which no court has Then all claims against Browning will become moot. Finally, we deny Texas Brine' s motion to stay this appeal until this court has issued a decision on yet another pending appeal concerning a different appellant and the allocation of fault at the liability trial. We find there is no valid reason to abstain from exercising jurisdiction over this matter pending completion of the appellate process regarding the liability trial. This memorandum opinion is issued in accordance with Uniform Rules — Courts of Appeal, Rule 2- 16. 1( B). All costs of this appeal are assessed to appellant/third-party plaintiff, Texas Brine Company, LLC. MOTION TO DISMISS DENIED; JUDGMENT AFFIRMED. 3 MOTION TO STAY DENIED;
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