On November 01, 2019 a
Motion,Ex Parte
was filed
involving a dispute between
Janet Northrup,,
and
2818 Ventures, Llc,
84 Grove Dev, Llc,
Abode Multi-Family, Lp,
Abode New Development, Llc,
American Capital Advisors, Llc,
Btx Multifamily, Llc,
Forrest Pines Bryan 84, Llc,
Fp Bryan 240 Gp, Llc,
Fp Bryan 240, Ltd,
Kramer, William,
Lapp, Richard,
Myan Management Group, Llc,
Pillar Income Asset Management, Inc,
Reynolds, James Mikel,
Southern Properties Capital, Lotd,
Southwestern Apartment Developers, Llc,
Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc,
Woodward, Bruce,
for CNTR CNSMR COM DEBT
in the District Court of Dallas County.
Preview
FILED
1/31/2022 2:28 PM
FELICIA PITRE
DISTRICT CLERK
DALLAS CO., TEXAS
Jenifer Trujillo DEPUTY
CAUSE NO. DC-19-17636
JANET NORTHRUP, THE DISTRICT COURT
§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§
Chapter 7 Trustee 1N
for the Estate of FM FORREST, INC.
V. DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS
FP BRYAN 240, LTD.; FP BRYAN 240 GP,
LLC; BTX MULTIFAMILY, LLC;
2818 VENTURES, LLC; 84 GROVE DEV, LLC;
FORREST PINES BRYAN 84, LLC;
ABODE NEW DEVELOPMENT, LLC;
PILLAR INCOME AS SET MANAGEMENT,
INC.; TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY
INVESTORS, INC.; SOUTHERN
PROPERTIES CAPITAL, LTD.; ABODE
MULTI-FAMILY, LP; AMERICAN CAPITAL
ADVISORS, LLC; BRUCE WOODWARD;
JAMES MIKEL REYNOLDS;
RICHARD LAPP; WILLIAM KRAMER;
SOUTHWESTERN APARTMENT
DEVELOPERS, LLC; AND MYAN
MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC 44TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
DEFENDANTS’ PILLAR INCOME ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC., ABODE NEW
DEVELOPMENT, LLC, FORREST PINES BRYAN 84, LLC, TRANSCONTINENTAL
REALTY INVESTORS, INC., SOUTHERN PROPERTIES CAPITAL, LTD., AND
ABODE MULTI-FAMILY, LP’S MOTION TO BIFURCATE TRIAL ON EXEMPLARY
DAMAGES
Defendants Pillar Income Asset Management, Inc., Abode New Development, LLC,
Forrest Pines Bryan 84, LLC, Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc., Southern Properties Capital,
Ltd. and Abode Multi-Family, LP (the “Movants”) file their Motion to Bifurcate Trial on
Exemplary Damages and would respectfully show the Court as follows:
l. This matter is set for jury trial on February 7, 2022.
2. By her Third Amended Petition filed on October 8, 2021, Plaintiff seeks exemplary
damages.
MOTION TO BIFURCATE TRIAL ON EXEMPLARY DAMAGES PAGE l
3. Movants request bifurcation of exemplary damages from the remainder of the
claims to be tried in this case. Specifically, movants request that the jury determine liability and
the amount of actual damages, if any, in the first phase of trial and only make a determination as
to exemplary damages if liability for exemplary damages is first established and the jury awards
actual damages. Movants further request that evidence of their or any defendants net worth and/or
related financial information (specifically any evidence only relevant to the amount of exemplary
damages) not be presented during the first phase of the trial to avoid prejudice on that basis.
4. Pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 174(b) and Texas Civil Practice &
Remedies Code § 41.009, bifurcation is required in this case to avoid prejudice caused by the
presentation of net worth and related information in the main trial of this case. Evidence that is
relevant only to the amount of exemplary damages that may be awarded is not admissible and
should not be presented during the first phase of the bifurcated trial. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.
Code § 41.011.
WHEREFORE, Movants respectfiilly request that this Court grant this Motion to Bifurcate
and for all other and further relief to which they may be justly entitled.
MOTION TO BIFURCATE TRIAL ON EXEMPLARY DAMAGES PAGE 2
Respectfully submitted,
QUILLING, SELANDER, LOWNDS, RAWLS LAW OFFICE, P.C.
WINSLETT & MOSER, P.C.
/s/ Caleb Rawls
/s/ Gregory M. Sudbury Caleb Rawls
HUDSON M. JOBE State Bar No. 24041753
State Bar N0. 24041 189 3010 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1200
GREGORY M. SUDBURY Dallas, Texas 75234
State Bar No. 24033367 (972) 919-61 18 (telephone)
IAN B. SALZER (214) 723-5932 (facsimile)
State Bar No. 24110325 caleb@calebrawlslaw.com
2001 Bryan Street, Suite 1800
Dallas, TX 75201 ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS
214.871.2100 FORREST PINES BRYAN s4, LLC,
214.871.2111 Facsimile TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY
hjobe@qslwm.com INVESTORS, INC., SOUTHERN
gsudbury@qslwm.com PROPERTIES CAPITAL, LTD., AND
isalzer@qslwm.com ABODE MULTI-FAMILY, LP
ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS
PILLAR INCOME ASSET
MANAGEMENT, INC. AND ABODE
NEW DEVELOPMENT, LLC
CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE
The undersigned counsel certifies that he conferred with counsel for Plaintiffs and co-
defendants regarding this Motion and relief sought. The relief sought is not opposed.
/s/ Gregory M. Sudbuzy
Gregory M. Sudbury
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned counsel certifies that on the 3 lst day of January 2022 the foregoing was
electronically filed in compliance with Rules 21 and 21a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
/s/ Gregog M Sudbury
Gregory M. Sudbury
MOTION TO BIFURCATE TRIAL ON EXEMPLARY DAMAGES PAGE 3
Automated Certificate of eService
This automated certificate of service was created by the efiling system.
The filer served this document via email generated by the efiling system
on the date and to the persons listed below. The rules governing
certificates of service have not changed. Filers must still provide a
certificate of service that complies with all applicable rules.
Ana Canson on behalf of Gregory Sudbury
Bar No. 24033367
acanson@qslwm.com
Envelope ID: 61307523
Status as of 1/31/2022 2:46 PM CST
Associated Case Party: FP BRYAN 240, LTD
Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status
Helen McLaughlin hmclaughlin@buckkeenan.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Robert LawtonPaddock rpaddock@buckkeenan.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
E. F. ManoDeAyala deayala@buckkeenan.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Associated Case Party: FORREST PINES BRYAN 84, LLC
Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status
Caleb Rawls caleb@calebrawlslaw.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Associated Case Party: TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC
Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status
Caleb Rawls caleb@calebrawlslaw.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Michael J. Merrick mmerrick@condontobin.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Associated Case Party: SOUTHERN PROPERTIES CAPITAL, LOTD
Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status
Caleb Rawls calebrawls@gmail.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Case Contacts
Name
DERRICK S. BOYD
Allen Linn Williamson
Automated Certificate of eService
This automated certificate of service was created by the efiling system.
The filer served this document via email generated by the efiling system
on the date and to the persons listed below. The rules governing
certificates of service have not changed. Filers must still provide a
certificate of service that complies with all applicable rules.
Ana Canson on behalf of Gregory Sudbury
Bar No. 24033367
acanson@qslwm.com
Envelope ID: 61307523
Status as of 1/31/2022 2:46 PM CST
Case Contacts
Gregory M.Sudbury gsudbury@qslwm.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Lynnette Shaw lshaw@bpwlaw.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Hudson M.Jobe hjobe@qslwm.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Robert Blackwell bblackwell@bbhsllp.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Lindsey Reinhardt lreinhardt@bbhsllp.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Scott Lindsey slindsey@bpwlaw.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Ian B.Salzer isalzer@qslwm.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Dalene Gantt dgantt@bpwlaw.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Matthew Meyer mmeyer@bpwlaw.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Sharon Bruner sbruner@bbhsllp.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Associated Case Party: ABODE MULTl-FAMILY, LP
Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status
Caleb Rawls calebrawls@gmail.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT
Preview
FILED 1/31/2022 2:28 PM FELICIA PITRE DISTRICT CLERK DALLAS CO., TEXAS Jenifer Trujillo DEPUTY CAUSE NO. DC-19-17636 JANET NORTHRUP, THE DISTRICT COURT §§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§ Chapter 7 Trustee 1N for the Estate of FM FORREST, INC. V. DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS FP BRYAN 240, LTD.; FP BRYAN 240 GP, LLC; BTX MULTIFAMILY, LLC; 2818 VENTURES, LLC; 84 GROVE DEV, LLC; FORREST PINES BRYAN 84, LLC; ABODE NEW DEVELOPMENT, LLC; PILLAR INCOME AS SET MANAGEMENT, INC.; TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.; SOUTHERN PROPERTIES CAPITAL, LTD.; ABODE MULTI-FAMILY, LP; AMERICAN CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC; BRUCE WOODWARD; JAMES MIKEL REYNOLDS; RICHARD LAPP; WILLIAM KRAMER; SOUTHWESTERN APARTMENT DEVELOPERS, LLC; AND MYAN MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC 44TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT DEFENDANTS’ PILLAR INCOME ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC., ABODE NEW DEVELOPMENT, LLC, FORREST PINES BRYAN 84, LLC, TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC., SOUTHERN PROPERTIES CAPITAL, LTD., AND ABODE MULTI-FAMILY, LP’S MOTION TO BIFURCATE TRIAL ON EXEMPLARY DAMAGES Defendants Pillar Income Asset Management, Inc., Abode New Development, LLC, Forrest Pines Bryan 84, LLC, Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc., Southern Properties Capital, Ltd. and Abode Multi-Family, LP (the “Movants”) file their Motion to Bifurcate Trial on Exemplary Damages and would respectfully show the Court as follows: l. This matter is set for jury trial on February 7, 2022. 2. By her Third Amended Petition filed on October 8, 2021, Plaintiff seeks exemplary damages. MOTION TO BIFURCATE TRIAL ON EXEMPLARY DAMAGES PAGE l 3. Movants request bifurcation of exemplary damages from the remainder of the claims to be tried in this case. Specifically, movants request that the jury determine liability and the amount of actual damages, if any, in the first phase of trial and only make a determination as to exemplary damages if liability for exemplary damages is first established and the jury awards actual damages. Movants further request that evidence of their or any defendants net worth and/or related financial information (specifically any evidence only relevant to the amount of exemplary damages) not be presented during the first phase of the trial to avoid prejudice on that basis. 4. Pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 174(b) and Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 41.009, bifurcation is required in this case to avoid prejudice caused by the presentation of net worth and related information in the main trial of this case. Evidence that is relevant only to the amount of exemplary damages that may be awarded is not admissible and should not be presented during the first phase of the bifurcated trial. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 41.011. WHEREFORE, Movants respectfiilly request that this Court grant this Motion to Bifurcate and for all other and further relief to which they may be justly entitled. MOTION TO BIFURCATE TRIAL ON EXEMPLARY DAMAGES PAGE 2 Respectfully submitted, QUILLING, SELANDER, LOWNDS, RAWLS LAW OFFICE, P.C. WINSLETT & MOSER, P.C. /s/ Caleb Rawls /s/ Gregory M. Sudbury Caleb Rawls HUDSON M. JOBE State Bar No. 24041753 State Bar N0. 24041 189 3010 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1200 GREGORY M. SUDBURY Dallas, Texas 75234 State Bar No. 24033367 (972) 919-61 18 (telephone) IAN B. SALZER (214) 723-5932 (facsimile) State Bar No. 24110325 caleb@calebrawlslaw.com 2001 Bryan Street, Suite 1800 Dallas, TX 75201 ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS 214.871.2100 FORREST PINES BRYAN s4, LLC, 214.871.2111 Facsimile TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY hjobe@qslwm.com INVESTORS, INC., SOUTHERN gsudbury@qslwm.com PROPERTIES CAPITAL, LTD., AND isalzer@qslwm.com ABODE MULTI-FAMILY, LP ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS PILLAR INCOME ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. AND ABODE NEW DEVELOPMENT, LLC CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE The undersigned counsel certifies that he conferred with counsel for Plaintiffs and co- defendants regarding this Motion and relief sought. The relief sought is not opposed. /s/ Gregory M. Sudbuzy Gregory M. Sudbury CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE The undersigned counsel certifies that on the 3 lst day of January 2022 the foregoing was electronically filed in compliance with Rules 21 and 21a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. /s/ Gregog M Sudbury Gregory M. Sudbury MOTION TO BIFURCATE TRIAL ON EXEMPLARY DAMAGES PAGE 3 Automated Certificate of eService This automated certificate of service was created by the efiling system. The filer served this document via email generated by the efiling system on the date and to the persons listed below. The rules governing certificates of service have not changed. Filers must still provide a certificate of service that complies with all applicable rules. Ana Canson on behalf of Gregory Sudbury Bar No. 24033367 acanson@qslwm.com Envelope ID: 61307523 Status as of 1/31/2022 2:46 PM CST Associated Case Party: FP BRYAN 240, LTD Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status Helen McLaughlin hmclaughlin@buckkeenan.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Robert LawtonPaddock rpaddock@buckkeenan.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT E. F. ManoDeAyala deayala@buckkeenan.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Associated Case Party: FORREST PINES BRYAN 84, LLC Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status Caleb Rawls caleb@calebrawlslaw.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Associated Case Party: TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status Caleb Rawls caleb@calebrawlslaw.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Michael J. Merrick mmerrick@condontobin.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Associated Case Party: SOUTHERN PROPERTIES CAPITAL, LOTD Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status Caleb Rawls calebrawls@gmail.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Case Contacts Name DERRICK S. BOYD Allen Linn Williamson Automated Certificate of eService This automated certificate of service was created by the efiling system. The filer served this document via email generated by the efiling system on the date and to the persons listed below. The rules governing certificates of service have not changed. Filers must still provide a certificate of service that complies with all applicable rules. Ana Canson on behalf of Gregory Sudbury Bar No. 24033367 acanson@qslwm.com Envelope ID: 61307523 Status as of 1/31/2022 2:46 PM CST Case Contacts Gregory M.Sudbury gsudbury@qslwm.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Lynnette Shaw lshaw@bpwlaw.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Hudson M.Jobe hjobe@qslwm.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Robert Blackwell bblackwell@bbhsllp.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Lindsey Reinhardt lreinhardt@bbhsllp.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Scott Lindsey slindsey@bpwlaw.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Ian B.Salzer isalzer@qslwm.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Dalene Gantt dgantt@bpwlaw.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Matthew Meyer mmeyer@bpwlaw.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Sharon Bruner sbruner@bbhsllp.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT Associated Case Party: ABODE MULTl-FAMILY, LP Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status Caleb Rawls calebrawls@gmail.com 1/31/2022 2:28:21 PM SENT