in Re Steven Eaton ( 2022 )

IN THE
TENTH COURT OF APPEALS
No. 10-21-00107-CV
STEVEN EATON,
Appellant
v.
MAZANEC CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.,
Appellee
From the 74th District Court
McLennan County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2019-2092-3
&
IN THE
TENTH COURT OF APPEALS
No. 10-21-00111-CV
IN RE STEVEN EATON
Original Proceeding
MEMORANDUM OPINION
In seven issues on direct appeal in appellate cause number 10-21-00107-CV, and in
two issues presented in a petition for writ of mandamus in appellate cause number 10-
21-00111-CV, appellant and relator, Steven Eaton, complains about various actions taken
by the trial court in favor of appellee and real party in interest, Mazanec Construction
Company, Inc. (“Mazanec”). Because we conclude that material fact issues exist as to
Mazanec’s breach-of-contract and promissory-estoppel claims, we reverse the trial
court’s judgment in appellate cause number 10-21-00107-CV and remand for proceedings
consistent with this opinion. And based on our resolution of Eaton’s direct appeal in
appellate cause number 10-21-00107-CV, we dismiss Eaton’s petition for writ of
mandamus in appellate cause number 10-21-00111-CV as moot.
Background
This case arises from a dispute involving a construction bid to perform plumbing
services on the McLennan Community College Business Technology Renovation Project
(the “MCC Project”). The general contractor, Mazanec, alleged that a subcontractor,
Eaton, refused to perform work that he had agreed to perform under a signed plumbing
bid submitted and purportedly accepted by Mazanec. Mazanec sued Eaton for breach of
contract and promissory estoppel. More than sixty days after Mazanec filed its original
petition, Eaton filed a motion to dismiss under the Texas Citizens’ Participation Act
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 2
(“TCPA”). The trial court conducted a hearing on Eaton’s TCPA motion to dismiss. At
that hearing, the trial judge, the Honorable Vicki Menard, disclosed that she has social
relationship with the Mazanec family and questioned counsel for both parties as to
whether they would proceed with her as judge. Counsel for Eaton consented to Judge
Menard presiding over the case.
Thereafter, Judge Menard denied Eaton’s TCPA motion to dismiss as untimely.
Eaton did not appeal Judge Menard’s ruling on his TCPA motion to dismiss.
Approximately four months after Judge Menard disclosed her social relationship with
the Mazanec family and approximately two months after the denial of the TCPA motion
to dismiss, Eaton filed a written motion to recuse Judge Menard on April 2, 2020. Judge
Menard signed an order of recusal on June 25, 2020.1 As a result of Judge Menard’s
recusal, this case was assigned to the Honorable Gary Coley, Judge of the 74th District
Court.
While Judge Menard considered Eaton’s motion to recuse, Mazanec filed a
traditional motion for summary judgment, arguing that it was entitled to judgment as a
matter of law on its breach-of-contract and promissory-estoppel claims. Eaton filed a
1 In a letter to the parties explaining her decision to recuse, Judge Menard noted the following:
I have serious questions regarding how [defense counsel] has handled this matter since I
gave him every opportunity to object to my hearing the case prior to the hearing. I do not
want anyone to assume a recusal motion can be used as a way to avoid an adverse ruling.
However, I will voluntarily recuse myself from the case since [defense counsel] never
disclosed the conflict to his client prior to waiving the conflict both on and off the record.
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 3
response and objections to Mazanec’s summary-judgment motion, and Mazanec filed a
reply to Eaton’s response. After a hearing, Judge Coley signed an order granting
Mazanec’s traditional motion for summary judgment without specifying the grounds
upon which judgment was rendered. In his October 5, 2020 order granting summary
judgment in favor of Mazanec, Judge Coley struck through and initialed language
awarding attorney’s fees to Mazanec.2
Thereafter, the parties submitted briefing on the issue of attorney’s fees, and the
trial court conducted a hearing on the issue. On February 22, 2021, the trial court signed
a final judgment awarding Mazanec $14,600 for monetary damages incurred by Mazanec
and caused by Eaton, $29,100 for reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees incurred
through judgment in this case and reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees for appeals
to both this Court and the Texas Supreme Court, and pre- and post-judgment interest.
Eaton filed a motion for new trial, which the trial court denied. Eaton’s direct
appeal and petition for writ of mandamus followed.
Eaton’s Direct Appeal
In seven issues on direct appeal in appellate cause number 10-21-00107-CV, Eaton
complains about the trial court’s actions handling a motion to recuse, the trial court’s
denial of his motion to dismiss filed under the TCPA, the trial court’s granting of
2 The record contains multiple supplements to Mazanec’s summary-judgment motion addressing the
issue of attorney’s fees.
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 4
summary judgment in favor of Mazanec, the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees, and
the trial court’s denial of his motion for new trial.
THE MOTION TO RECUSE
In his first two issues in his direct appeal, Eaton contends that Judge Menard did
not timely and fully disclose on the record grounds for her recusal and that she did not
timely recuse herself. Eaton further alleges that Judge Menard’s delay in ruling on his
motion to recuse was prejudicial to him given that the trial judge denied his TCPA motion
to dismiss and forced him to incur additional attorney’s fees before deciding to recuse.
At the outset, we note that Judge Menard granted Eaton’s motion to recuse.
Pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18a(j)(1)(B), “[a]n order granting a motion to
recuse is final and cannot be reviewed by appeal, mandamus, or otherwise.” TEX. R. CIV.
P. 18(j)(1)(B).
Furthermore, with respect to Eaton’s arguments about the purported delay in
taking action on the motion to recuse, we note that Eaton did not file a petition for writ
of mandamus complaining about the delay, and more importantly, Eaton’s actions in the
trial court resulted in a waiver of this complaint. Specifically, it was at the December 11,
2019 hearing on Eaton’s TCPA motion to dismiss that Judge Menard informed the parties
of her social relationship with the Mazanec family and asked if there was any objection
to her hearing the case. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 18a(b)(1)(A) (“A motion to recuse . . . must be
filed as soon as practicable after the movant knows of the ground stated in the
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 5
motion . . . .”). Counsel for Eaton expressed on the record that he had no objection to
Judge Menard hearing the case. See id. at R. 18b(e) (“The parties to a proceeding may
waive any ground for recusal after it is fully disclosed on the record.”); see also Blackwell
v. Humble, 241 S.W.3d 707, 712 (Tex. App.—Austin 2007, no pet.). It was not until more
than two months after the trial court denied his TCPA motion to dismiss and almost four
months after Judge Menard informed the parties of her social relationship with the
Mazanec family that Eaton filed his motion to recuse on April 2, 2020, alleging that he
had grave concerns that he would not receive a fair trial from Judge Menard based on her
social relationship with the Mazanec family. Eaton waited too long to file his motion to
recuse and, thus, waived his contention in this issue. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 18a(b)(1)(A); see
also McElwee v. McElwee, 911 S.W.2d 182, 186 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1995, writ
denied) (“If a party fails to comply [with rule 18a], he waives his right to complain of a
judge’s failure to recuse himself.”). Accordingly, we overrule Eaton’s first two issues in
his direct appeal.
THE TCPA MOTION TO DISMISS
In his third issue on direct appeal, Eaton asserts that the trial court abused her
discretion by denying his TCPA motion to dismiss. We disagree.
The TCPA is an anti-SLAPP (“Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation”)
statute that protects citizens from retaliatory lawsuits that seek to intimidate or silence
them on matters of public concern. See In re Lipsky, 460 S.W.3d 579, 586 (Tex. 2015). The
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 6
purpose of the TCPA is to identify and summarily dispose of lawsuits designed only to
chill First Amendment rights, not to dismiss meritorious lawsuits. Id. at 589. It
accomplishes this purpose by establishing a burden-shifting scheme that, if satisfied,
results in a relatively expedited dismissal of lawsuits that are meritless within the
meaning of the TCPA. Id. at 586 (noting the TCPA provides a special procedure for the
expedited dismissal of meritless lawsuits).
A party triggers the TCPA’s dismissal procedure by filing a motion to dismiss. See
TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 27.003(a). A motion to dismiss must be filed not later
than the 60th day after the date of service of the legal action. Id. § 27.003(b). The trial
court may extend the time to file a motion on a showing of good cause. Id.
A trial court does not err when it denies an untimely TCPA motion to dismiss. See
Paulsen v. Yarrell, 455 S.W.3d 192, 198 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, no pet.),
superseded by statute on other grounds as stated in Schlumberger Ltd. v. Rutherford, 472 S.W.3d
881, 887-88 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2015, no pet.); In re Estate of Check, 438 S.W.3d
829, 837 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2014, no pet.), overruled in part by Montelongo v. Abrea,
622 S.W.3d 290, 299 (Tex. 2021); see also Mancilla v. TaxFree Shopping, Ltd., No. 05-18-00136-
CV, 2018 Tex. App. LEXIS 9371, at *5 (Tex. App.—Dallas Nov. 16, 2018, no pet.) (mem.
op.) (“If the motion is not filed within the statutory deadline, the movant forfeits the
early-dismissal protections of the [TCPA].”); Hayes v. Cavin, No. 03-17-00501-CV, 2018
Tex. App. LEXIS 8343, at *9 (Tex. App.—Austin Oct. 12, 2018, pet. denied) (mem. op.)
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 7
(affirming an order denying a TCPA motion to dismiss because the trial court “could
have reasonably concluded that Hayes’s motion was untimely”).
Here, the record shows that Mazanec filed its original petition on June 17, 2019,
asserting claims for breach of contract and promissory estoppel. Eaton filed his TCPA
motion to dismiss on October 18, 2019. Because Eaton did not file his TCPA motion to
dismiss within sixty days of Mazanec’s June 17, 2019 original petition, we hold that
Eaton’s TCPA motion to dismiss was untimely and that the trial court did not err by
denying it as untimely. We overrule Eaton’s third issue on direct appeal.
SUMMARY JUDGMENT
In his fourth issue on direct appeal, Eaton contends that the trial court erred by
granting Mazanec’s traditional motion for summary judgment. Specifically, Eaton
argues that there was a material fact issue as to the scope of the work and whether his
offer transformed into a definite, unconditional promise.
Standard of Review
We review a trial court’s summary judgment de novo. See Provident Life & Accident
Ins. Co. v. Knott, 128 S.W.3d 211, 215 (Tex. 2003). In reviewing a traditional motion for
summary judgment, we must consider whether reasonable and fair-minded jurors could
differ in their conclusions in light of all of the evidence presented. See Goodyear Tire &
Rubber Co. v. Mayes, 236 S.W.3d 754, 755 (Tex. 2007) (per curiam). The movant carries the
burden of establishing that no material fact issue exists and that it is entitled to judgment
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 8
as a matter of law. TEX. R. CIV. P. 166a(c); M.D. Anderson Hosp. & Tumor Inst. v. Willrich,
28 S.W.3d 22, 23 (Tex. 2000) (per curiam). The nonmovant has no burden to respond to a
summary-judgment motion unless the movant conclusively establishes its cause of action
or defense. Willrich, 28 S.W.3d at 23. However, once the movant produces sufficient
evidence conclusively establishing its right to summary judgment, the burden shifts to
the nonmovant to present evidence sufficient to raise a fact issue. Centeq Realty, Inc. v.
Siegler, 899 S.W.2d 195, 197 (Tex. 1995). In reviewing a traditional motion for summary
judgment, we must consider all the evidence in the light most favorable to the
nonmovant, indulging every reasonable inference in favor of the nonmovant and
resolving any doubts against the motion. See Mayes, 236 S.W.3d at 756. Furthermore, “[i]f
the order granting summary judgment does not specify the grounds upon which
judgment was rendered, we must affirm the summary judgment if any of the grounds in
the summary judgment motion is meritorious.” Lotito v. Knife River Corp.-S., 391 S.W.3d
226, 227 (Tex. App.—Waco 2012, no pet.) (citing FM Props. Operating Co. v. City of Austin,
22 S.W.3d 868, 872 (Tex. 2000)).
Summary-Judgment Evidence
As stated earlier, Mazanec asserted breach-of-contract and promissory-estoppel
claims against Eaton pertaining to a construction bid. Mazanec moved for summary
judgment on both claims. In support of its summary-judgment motion, Mazanec
attached, among other things, an affidavit executed by Aaron J. Mynar, Project Manager
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 9
for Mazanec; the Construction Bid Form submitted by Eaton; a notice to proceed; email
correspondence from Mynar to all subcontractors on the project; and bids and a change
order submitted by the subcontractor that replaced Eaton, Mike Staas Services (“Staas”).
In his affidavit, Mynar explained that, on April 23, 2019, Mazanec received a bid
from Eaton to perform interior plumbing work on the MCC Project. According to Mynar,
Eaton’s bid for $118,000 was signed and dated by Eaton and did not contain any
conditional language. Mynar further noted that:
4. On behalf of Mazanec, I accepted and relied upon the Bid as Eaton
submitted it, and at no point in time did I ever request Eaton to change or
alter the scope of work or amount of the Bid that he submitted to me on
April 23, 2019;
5. Because the Bid for the interior plumbing work was the lowest bid,
Mazanec accordingly used and relied on Eaton’s Bid in submitting
Mazanec’s master bid for the Project.
Additional details outlined in Mynar’s affidavit included the following:
• On May 1, 2019, Mazanec received notice that it had been awarded the MCC
Project and was authorized to proceed.
• On May 6, 2019, Mynar sent an email to all the subcontractors whose bids Mazanec
relied upon in submitting its master bid, including Eaton, informing them that
Mazanec had been awarded the MCC Project, that they were expected to perform,
and that a project-specific contract was being mailed to them.
• On May 7, 2019, Eaton stopped by Mazanec’s office to speak about the scope and
details of the project. Mynar recalled that Eaton “reaffirmed our agreement based
on his Bid, we shook hands, and Eaton expressed . . . that he was looking forward
to working with Mazanec again.”
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 10
• On May 8, 2019, Eaton called Mynar to “back[] out of his Bid and agreement with
Mazanec, because he claimed to have to [sic] many other jobs going on and did
not have enough workers to dedicate to the Project.”
Mynar then spoke with Eaton at Eaton’s office. According to Mynar, Eaton “confessed
to me that the real reason [for backing out of the bid] was because of his concern that by
working with Mazanec, he would upset another local contractor with whom he did a lot
of work and that had lost its bid on the Project.”
In response to Eaton’s decision to back out of his bid, Mazanec enlisted Mike Staas
Services, the next lowest bidder, to do the plumbing work on the project.3 Staas’s bid was
for $155,600. To reduce the cost to secure a substitute plumber, the Project Architect and
MCC authorized a change order that increased the amount of the prime contract by
$23,000. After subtracting the difference between the bids from Staas ($155,600) and
Eaton ($118,000) and subtracting the increase in the prime contract authorized by the
3 In its revised bid, Staas proposed to do the following, in relevant part:
• “DEMO OUT BOTH FLOORS OF PLUMBING AS NOTED ON PRINTS”
• “SAW CUT 140’ OF CONCRETE ON FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR FOR UNDERFLOOR
PLUMBING”
• “INSTALL NEW UNDERGROUND CASE IRON PIPE FOR NEW PLUMBING”
• “INSTALL NEW CAST IRON VENT, HANGERS”
• “HOT AND COLD WATER TO SUPPLY NEW FIXTURES, HANGERS AND INSULATION”
• “INSTALL NEW COPPER CONDENSATE LINES, HANGERS AND INSULATION”
• “INSTALL NEW ROOF AND OVERFLOW DRAINS AND PIPE, HANGERS AND INSULATION”
• “PROVIDE AND INSTALL NEW PLUMBING FIXTURES NOTED ON FIXTURE SCHEDULE”
• “PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS”
• “EXCLUDES ANY OVERTIME”
• “EXCLUDES PATCHBACK OF CONCRETE”
• “EXCLUDES ANY GAS”
• “ALL WASTE, VENT AND STORM TO BE NO HUB CAST IRON PIPE”
• “ALL WATER AND CONDESNATE TO BE TYPE L HARD COPPER”
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 11
change order ($23,000), the total cost to Mazanec for securing a substitute plumber was
$14,600.
Also included in Mazanec’s summary-judgment evidence was Eaton’s
Construction Bid Form, which provided the following with respect to the scope of work:
Brazos River Bottom Plumbing proposes to furnish and install all interior
plumbing piping and fixtures.type [sic] L hard copper water piping with
insulation and service weight cast iron below floor and above floor (no
utilities)[.] We will furnish all permits required. We will furnish and install
all condensate drains, roof drains, [sic] We will do all plumbing
demo.required [sic]. We will saw cut and remove.
In his response to Mazanec’s summary-judgment motion, Eaton emphasizes that
there was no contract because Mazanec altered the scope of the work. In an affidavit
attached to his response, Eaton characterized the meeting with Mynar as follows:
4. On May 7, 2019, I went to Aaron Mynar’s office. As he greeted me with
a handshake, he said: “Aren’t you tired of working for Built Wright yet?”
I told him: “No. And I’m happy to work with y’all too.” After we talked
about the project and looked at the drawings, Aaron pressed me to revise
my bid to include the exterior plumbing work, which he indicated was an
essential requirement. When I declined his counteroffer telling him that I
had other jobs and not enough employees to do the additional work, he
pressured me until I said I would think about it.
5. Soon thereafter, one of my skilled employees told me he was moving to
Austin before Mazanec’s project at MCC was to begin. That day I called
Aaron and told him that I had to decline his counteroffer and withdraw my
bid, because I was losing a key employee before the project at MCC was to
begin. Instead of understanding my situation, Aaron said: “I don’t give a
shit about your problems! You’ve got to do it, or Mazanec will sue you.”
6. The following day, Aaron came to my office and told me: “You’re gonna
be sorry for continuing to work for Built Wright.” I again explained that I
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 12
could not sign a contract that required me to do the exterior plumbing work
and to employ sufficient workmen to complete the project promptly.
In addition to his affidavit, Eaton also attached a copy of an unsigned
subcontractor agreement between Mazanec and him to his summary-judgment response.
The unsigned subcontractor agreement specifically states that Eaton was to:
Provide the necessary material, labor and equipment for the completion of
All PLUMBING & PLUMBING DEMOLITION scope of work for MCC-
Business Technology Renovation according to Plans & Specifications
provided by RBDR dated April 3, 2019, and per Addendum #1 dated April
17, 2019, and Addendum #2 dated April 19, 2019.
(Emphasis added). The unsigned subcontractor agreement also included by reference
“Attachment A,” which were the “Scope of Work & Contract Documents.” These
documents include identical language regarding the scope of work including “All
PLUMBING & PLUMBING DEMOLITION” as listed above.
Mazanec’s Breach-of-Contract Claim
To establish a claim for breach of contract, Mazanec must first establish the
existence of a valid contract. See Williams v. First Tenn. Nat’l Corp., 97 S.W.3d 798, 802-03
(Tex. App.—Dallas 2003, no pet.); see also Sanders v. Household Mortg. Servs., No. 10-07-
00233-CV, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 4988, at **5-6 (Tex. App.—Waco July 1, 2009, no pet.)
(mem. op.). Whether an alleged agreement constitutes an enforceable contract is
generally a question of law. See Meru v. Huerta, 136 S.W.3d 383, 390 (Tex. App.—Corpus
Christi 2004, no pet.).
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 13
The elements of a valid and enforceable contract are: (1) an offer; (2) an acceptance
in strict compliance with the terms of the offer; (3) a meeting of the minds; (4) each party’s
consent to the terms; and (5) execution and delivery of the contract with the intent that it
be mutual and binding. See Hubbard v. Shankle, 138 S.W.3d 474, 481 (Tex. App.—Fort
Worth 2004, pet. denied).
A contract must be sufficiently definite in its terms so that a court can understand
what the promisor undertook. See Meru, 136 S.W.3d at 390. If the agreement upon which
the plaintiff relies is so indefinite as to make it impossible for the court to determine the
legal obligations and liabilities of the parties, it is not an enforceable contract. Id.Moreover, to be legally binding, the parties must have a meeting of the minds and must
communicate consent to the terms of the agreement. Id.The summary-judgment evidence demonstrates that Eaton offered to do the
interior plumbing work for the MCC Project, in accordance with his bid. However, in his
affidavit, Eaton contended that Mazanec did not accept his bid in strict compliance with
the terms of the offer. Rather, Eaton asserts that Mynar “pressed” him to revise the bid
to include exterior plumbing work as an essential requirement for the job. The unsigned
subcontractor agreement between Mazanec and Eaton reflects that the scope of the work
was to include “All PLUMBING & PLUMBING DEMOLITION,” which appears to
include both interior and exterior plumbing work. Considering the evidence in the light
most favorable to Eaton, the nonmovant, and indulging every reasonable inference in
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 14
favor of Eaton and resolving any doubts against the motion, the alteration of the scope of
the work to also include exterior plumbing work appears to indicate that there was not a
meeting of the minds and that neither party consented to the terms of the agreement. See
Parker Drilling Co. v. Romfor Supply Co., 316 S.W.3d 68, 74 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] 2010, pet. denied) (“A purported acceptance that changes or qualifies an offer’s
material terms constitutes a rejection and counteroffer rather than an acceptance.”
(citations omitted)); see also Solis v. Evins, 951 S.W.2d 44, 49 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi
1997, no writ) (“To constitute a contract[,] the minds of the parties must meet with respect
to the subject matter of the agreement, and as to all of its essential terms; and all of them
must assent to the same thing in the same sense at the same time.”). Additional evidence
in support of this conclusion is Eaton’s affidavit alleging that he declined Mazanec’s
counteroffer to complete all the plumbing work on the project and withdrew his bid.
Based on a review of the summary-judgment evidence, and applying the
applicable standard of review, we conclude that there are material fact issues regarding
whether a valid contract exists between Mazanec and Eaton for the plumbing work on
the project. As such, we further conclude that Mazanec did not establish entitlement to
judgment as a matter of law on its breach-of-contract claim.
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 15
Mazanec’s Promissory-Estoppel Claim
Although Mazanec was not entitled to summary judgment on its breach-of-
contract claim, we must also analyze the promissory-estoppel claim, as it could serve as
an independent basis for affirming the summary-judgment order.
“Although promissory estoppel is normally a defensive theory, it is an available
cause of action to a promisee who relied to his detriment on an otherwise unenforceable
promise.” Frost Crushed Stone Co. v. Odell Geer Constr. Co., 110 S.W.3d 41, 44 (Tex. App.—
Waco 2002, no pet.) (citations omitted). Generally, promissory estoppel is a viable
alternative to breach of contract. Trevino & Assocs. Mech., L.P. v. Frost Nat’l Bank, 400
S.W.3d 139, 146 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, no pet.). The promissory-estoppel doctrine
presumes that no contract exists. Subaru of Am., Inc. v. David McDavid Nissan, Inc., 84
S.W.3d 212, 226 (Tex. 2002). Although promissory estoppel is not applicable to a promise
covered by a valid contract between the parties, promissory estoppel will apply to a
promise outside a contract. Trevino, 400 S.W.3d at 146.
“The requisites of promissory estoppel in Texas are: (1) a promise; (2)
foreseeability of reliance thereon by the promisor; and (3) substantial reliance by the
promisee to his detriment.” Id. (citations omitted). Texas Courts have held that
promissory estoppel is a viable cause of action in bid construction cases. Id. (citing Sipco
Servs. Marine, Inc. v. Wyatt Field Serv. Co., 857 S.W.2d 602, 605 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 16
Dist.] 1993, no writ); Traco, Inc. v. Arrow Glass Co., Inc., 814 S.W.2d 186, 189 (Tex. App.—
San Antonio 1991, writ denied)).
To support a finding of promissory estoppel, a successful promissory-estoppel
claim must be based on “an actual promise.” See Stable Energy, L.P. v. Kachina Oil & Gas,
Inc., 52 S.W.3d 327, 336 (Tex. App.—Austin 2001, no pet.). The asserted “promise” must
be sufficiently specific and definite so that it would be reasonable and justified for the
promisee to rely on it as a commitment to future action. Comiskey v. FH Partners, LLC, 373
S.W.3d 620, 625 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2015, no pet.).
Applying the appropriate standard of review, we conclude that there are material
fact issues regarding the existence of a “promise.” Mazanec’s argument in support of its
promissory-estoppel claim is premised on Eaton’s bid. As stated above, after considering
the evidence in the light most favorable to Eaton, indulging every reasonable inference
in favor of Eaton, and resolving any doubts against the motion, Eaton’s summary
judgment evidence demonstrates that Mazanec may have altered the scope of the work
to include not only interior plumbing work, but also exterior plumbing work. If Eaton’s
evidence is to be believed, then the alteration to the scope of the work amounts to a
rejection of Eaton’s bid and a counteroffer, which Eaton did not accept. See Parker Drilling
Co., 316 S.W.3d at 74. Moreover, the purported “promise” in this case, as characterized
by Mazanec, is reflected in the unsigned subcontractor agreement, which provided that
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 17
Eaton was to complete “All PLUMBING & PLUMBING DEMOLITON.” This language
appears to include both interior and exterior plumbing work.
Because the only “promise” in this case appears to have been rejected by Mazanec
when it allegedly made its counteroffer, and because Eaton rejected the counteroffer and
withdrew his original bid, we cannot say that Mazanec established its promissory-
estoppel claim as a matter of law. Therefore, because material fact issues exist regarding
Mazanec’s breach-of-contract and promissory-estoppel claims, we conclude that the trial
court erred by granting Mazanec’s traditional motion for summary judgment. We sustain
Eaton’s fourth issue on direct appeal.
VOID ORDER
In his fifth issue on direct appeal, Eaton argues that the trial court erred by issuing
a void order. Eaton does not include any argument or authority in support of this issue.
Rather, he lists this as his fifth issue and mentions that the issue is addressed separately
in his mandamus petition. Eaton’s failure to cite legal authority or provide substantive
analysis of a legal issue in this direct appeal results in waiver of the complaint. See TEX.
R. APP. P. 38.1(i); see also Fredonia State Bank v. Gen. Am. Life Ins. Co., 881 S.W.2d 279, 284
(Tex. 1994) (observing that error may be waived by inadequate briefing). We overrule
Eaton’s fifth issue on direct appeal.
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 18
ISSUES REGARDING ATTORNEY’S FEES
In his sixth issue on direct appeal, Eaton complains that the trial court awarded
unreasonable attorney’s fees to Mazanec based on unnecessary and frivolous litigation.
Eaton’s complaint in this issue focuses on Mazanec’s filing of a motion to enforce and
compel discovery and Mazanec’s opposition to his motion to recuse Judge Menard.
In his seventh issue, Eaton argues that the trial court erred by denying his motion
for new trial. In his motion for new trial, Eaton raised several issues, including the two
he focuses on in this issue: (1) that the amount of attorney’s fees was unreasonable; and
(2) the trial court lacked jurisdiction to award attorney’s fees because the trial court’s
plenary power had expired by the time the final judgment was signed.
Both issues challenge the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees. The trial court’s
award of attorney’s fees is premised on the granting of summary judgment in favor
Mazanec based on their breach-of-contract and/or promissory-estoppel claims. Indeed,
on appeal, Mazanec argues entitlement to reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees under
section 38.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM.
CODE ANN. § 38.001(8) (providing that a party may recover reasonable attorney’s fees if
the claim is for an oral or written contract); see also Smith v. W. Y. Tam Trust, 296 S.W.3d
545, 547 (Tex. 2009) (“If attorney’s fees are proper under section 38.001(8), the trial court
has no discretion to deny them.” (citing Bocquet v. Herring, 972 S.W.2d 19, 20 (Tex. 1998))).
Because we have concluded that the trial court erred by granting summary judgment in
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 19
favor of Mazanec, and because the summary judgment order is the basis for the attorney’s
fees award, a justiciable controversy no longer exists. See In re Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc.,
166 S.W.3d 732, 737 (Tex. 2005) (orig. proceeding) (“A case becomes moot if a controversy
ceases to exist between the parties at any stage of the legal proceedings.”); State Bar of Tex.
v. Gomez, 891 S.W.2d 243, 245 (Tex. 1994) (orig. proceeding) (stating that for a controversy
to be justiciable, there must be a real controversy between the parties that will be actually
resolved by the judicial relief sought). Thus, we need not address Eaton’s six and seventh
issues. See TEX. R. APP. P. 47.1, 47.4.
Eaton’s Petition for Writ of Mandamus
In two issues in his petition for writ of mandamus in appellate cause number 10-
21-00111-CV, Eaton contends that: (1) the trial court abused its discretion by issuing a
void order on February 22, 2021, which awarded Mazanec attorney’s fees, after the trial
court’s plenary power expired; and (2) the trial court erred by refusing to vacate the void
order after Eaton requested such relief in his motion for new trial. Because our resolution
of Eaton’s direct appeal results in reversal of the trial court’s February 22, 2021 final
judgment, which substantially corresponds with the relief requested by Eaton in this
proceeding, a justiciable controversy no longer exists. See In re Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc.,
166 S.W.3d at 737; Gomez, 891 S.W.2d at 245; see also Dow Chem. Co. v. Garcia, 909 S.W.2d
503, 505 (Tex. 1995) (noting that the court will not issue mandamus relief if it would be
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 20
useless or unavailing). Accordingly, we dismiss Eaton’s petition for writ of mandamus
as moot.
Conclusion
Based on the foregoing, in appellate cause number 10-21-00107-CV, we reverse the
trial court’s February 22, 2021 final judgment and remand for proceedings consistent with
this opinion. In appellate cause number 10-21-00111-CV, we dismiss Eaton’s petition for
writ of mandamus as moot.
STEVE SMITH
Justice
Before Chief Justice Gray,
Justice Smith
and Justice Rose4
Appeal reversed and remanded and petition dismissed
Opinion delivered and filed October 12, 2022
[CV06]
4The Honorable Jeff Rose, Former Chief Justice of the Third Court of Appeals, sitting by assignment of
the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. See TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. §§ 74.003, 75.002, 75.003.
Eaton v. Mazanec Constr. Co., Inc. (In re Eaton) Page 21