Opinion
No. 14-07-00406-CV
Opinion filed March 26, 2009.
On Appeal from the 269th District Court Harris County, Texas, Trial Court Cause No. 2006-34135.
Panel consists of Chief Justice HEDGES and Justices ANDERSON and SEYMORE.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This is an appeal from a summary judgment signed April 18, 2007. Douglas, who is pro se, raises eight issues challenging the judgment. We affirm.
In 2001, Douglas sued Adamo, his former criminal defense attorney, for legal malpractice. Summary judgment was rendered in favor of Adamo on October 11, 2002. This Court dismissed the appeal from that judgment for want of prosecution after Douglas failed to pay for preparation of the clerk's record as ordered when his indigence claim was denied. See Douglas v. Adamo, 2003 WL 1088163, No. 14-02-01156-CV (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] Mar. 13, 2003, no pet.) (mem. op.). Douglas did timely file for rehearing or petition for review by the Texas Supreme Court. On June 9, 2003, this Court's mandate issued. Douglas then attempted to appeal the denial of a motion to reinstate the same case, and that appeal was also dismissed for failure to pay for preparation of the clerk's record after the denial of indigent status. See Douglas v. Adamo, 2003 WL 22996954, No. 14-03-01192-CV (Tex.App. Dec. 23, 2003, no pet.) (mem. op.). Although Douglas requested an extension of time to file a petition for review at the Texas Supreme Court, none was filed. Our mandate issued July 25, 2009.
In 2006, Douglas brought this litigation in the form of a bill of review, challenging the original 2002 summary judgment. Adamo again moved for summary judgment, which was granted. Douglas now brings this appeal.
A bill of review is an equitable proceeding to set aside a judgment that is not void on the face of the record but is no longer appealable or subject to a motion for new trial. King Ranch, Inc. v. Chapman, 118 S.W.3d 742, 751 (Tex. 2003). A bill of review petitioner must plead and prove (1) a meritorious defense to the cause of action alleged to support the judgment; (2) that the petitioner was prevented from making by the fraud, accident or wrongful act of the opposing party; and (3) the petitioner was not negligent. Id.
When, as in this case, the trial court does not specify in the order granting summary judgment the grounds upon which the trial court relied, we must affirm the judgment if any one of the independent grounds is meritorious. Ramco Oil Gas Ltd. v. Anglo Dutch (Tenge) L.L.C., 207 S.W.3d 801, 826 (Tex.App. 2006, pet. denied). Adamo moved for summary judgment on the grounds that there is no evidence of, or alternatively, the summary judgment evidence disproved, one or more elements necessary to prevail on his bill of review, and that Douglas's claims are barred by res judicata and collateral estoppel.
Douglas brought two appeals challenging the original summary judgment. The summary judgment evidence established that both appeals were dismissed due to Douglas's failure to pay for preparation of the clerk's record. See TEX. R. APP. P. 37.3 (providing fir dismissal for want of prosecution when the clerk's record is not filed due to appellant's fault). In addition, Douglas did not challenge this Court's rulings at the Texas Supreme Court. The summary judgment evidence established that Douglas did not exercise due diligence. Due diligence in pursuing available legal remedies is a required element to succeed in a bill of review. King Ranch, 118 S.W.3d at 751. Therefore, the trial court did not err in granting summary judgment.
Accordingly, the judgment is affirmed.