A Texas Supreme Court decision the majority claims "harmonizes" the state's "free speech in public participation law," puts in place guardrails to curb defense-attorney abuses, and hasten discovery for meritorious lawsuits, a court observer said.

Alan B. Daughtry, a veteran Houston appellate attorney, said the McLane Champions LLC v. Houston Baseball Partners LLC opinion addresses a widespread practice of defense attorneys misusing the Texas Citizens Participation Act to get interlocutory appeals that severely delays the resolution of meritorious claims.