On May 2, 2018, the Snell Law Firm obtained a jury verdict in excess of $1 million dollars against Bastrop County Justice of the Peace Donna Thomson. The jury found Judge Thomson liable for real estate fraud and violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The jury’s verdict includes $750,000 in exemplary damages punishing Judge Thomson for intentional and fraudulent conduct.
The jury reached its verdict after finding Judge Thomson knowingly and intentionally defrauded and deceived the Snell Law Firm’s client, Plaintiff Raul Vasquez, with respect to a real estate transaction involving the purchase of a residence in Bastrop. Mr. Vasquez is an owner of popular Mexican restaurants in Bastrop. In addition to other evidence, the jury reached its verdict after hearing testimony and reviewing documents establishing Judge Thomson misrepresented to Mr. Vasquez he was buying property she owned “free and clear” when, in reality, Judge Thomson had a large mortgage on the property. the Snell Law Firm put on evidence establishing Mr. Vasquez was not the first victim of Judge Thomson’s fraud. A 29-year-old Austin resident and middle school teacher testified that she and her then-fiancé also fell victim to Judge Thomson’s fraud with respect to the same residence approximately one year before Mr. Vasquez. In the end, the jury believed Judge Thomson’s conduct was committed “knowingly” and “intentionally.”
Jason Snell of the the Snell Law Firm asked the jury to take into account Judge Thomson’s status in the community and position of public trust when rendering its verdict. “In my voir dire, opening statement, and closing argument, I explained we would be asking this jury to send a message discouraging not just Judge Thomson from this behavior, but anyone else, especially those who hold office and are in a position of public trust. The jury responded and awarded exemplary damages of $750,000. I could not be prouder for my client, and of this jury, for standing up and doing the right thing. This was justice.”
Based in Austin, Texas, the Snell Law Firm has proudly been providing excellent legal services since 2007. With diverse strengths in many areas of law, the firm’s accomplished team provides strong legal counsel and fierce courtroom representation on a wide range of civil litigation matters, including business and commercial disputes, real estate litigation, construction matters, and class action litigation.