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Comprehensive coverage of the Texas Business Court

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Dallas, Texas  ·  Complex Commercial Litigation

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Portrait of Hon. Melissa Davis Andrews

Hon. Melissa Davis Andrews

Judge · Seat 3A

Texas Business Court · Third Business Court Division (Austin)

Biography

Melissa Andrews is a judge on the Texas Business Court, where she serves in the Third Division in Austin, Texas. Judge Andrews is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Before coming to the bench, she focused her legal practice on appellate briefing and oral argument, strategic dispositive motions, expert challenges, preservation of error, and jury charges. She has represented clients in the United States Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of Texas, several United States Courts of Appeals, and trial and appellate courts across the county. She also previously worked at the Supreme Court of Texas as an attorney for Justice Jeff Boyd and a law clerk for Justice Don Willett (now serving on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals), as well as at the First Court of Appeals as an attorney for Justice Harvey Brown. She is currently the immediate past Chair of the Austin Bar Association’s Civil Appellate Section. She also serves on the Texas Board of Legal Specialization’s Advisory Commissions for Civil Appellate Law as well as for Judicial Administration. She is a frequent CLE presenter and has authored several law review articles. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law, where she was a member of the Texas Law Review, served as a Teaching Quizmaster, and graduated with honors. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University, where she graduated magna cum laude.

Source: txcourts.gov

Opinions by Judge Andrews (1)

Business Court Jurisdiction ×
2025 Tex. Bus. 23 Jurisdiction & Remand June 18, 2025

Internal Affairs Jurisdiction Does Not Require Predominance: Business Court Retains Lottery Fraud Case Implicating LP Formation and Purpose

In Reed v. Rook TX, LP, the Business Court's Third Division denied remand and held that Section 25A.004(b)(2)'s internal affairs jurisdiction extends to claims concerning when a limited partnership was formed, whether it was formed for improper purposes, and whether a plaintiff can recover partnership proceeds from its partners and others—rejecting the argument that governance or internal affairs must be the predominant focus of the case. The ruling clarifies that jurisdiction exists when internal affairs are substantially implicated, even if they are not the only matters the action concerns.

Removal & Remand Section 25A.004(b)(2) Internal Affairs Jurisdiction Limited Partnership Governing Documents Opinion PDF ↓