Partial Settlement Does Not Divest Business Court of Jurisdiction Once Properly Invoked

In Ornelas v. Herrera, the Business Court's Fourth Division held that agreed dismissal of claims against most defendants did not reduce the jurisdictional amount in controversy, which is fixed at the suit's commencement based on the plaintiff's pleadings. The court applied Bland ISD v. Blue to conclude that absent proof of fraud or sham pleading, the allegations in the pleadings control the jurisdictional determination.