A Texas court of appeals has denied a Dallas attorney’s attempt to reopen a couple’s divorce case to collect his fees, and affirmed sanctions imposed against him for pursuing what the court said was a groundless matter brought in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment.

The case, Wyde and Associates v. Francesconi, focuses on the actions of lawyer Dan Wyde, who represented Tatianna Francesconi in her divorce from her husband, James E. Francesconi, in a Collin County state district court, according to the decision.