Anglo-Dutch Petroleum International, Inc., and Anglo-Dutch (tenge) L.L.C., Petitioners v. Greenberg Peden, P.c…

Summary

The Texas Supreme Court held that the fee agreement between Anglo-Dutch and Greenberg Peden was unambiguous and formed a contract with the law firm, not with attorney Swonke personally, and therefore reversed the Court of Appeals and remanded for further proceedings. The Court applied a de novo review of the contract, emphasizing that clear language on firm letterhead controls and extrinsic evidence is inadmissible when the contract is not ambiguous. Justice Lehrmann dissented, arguing the agreement was ambiguous and should be submitted to a jury; Justice Wainwright concurred in part and dissented in part, agreeing with the dissent on ambiguity but differing on the appropriate remedy.