Sorey & Hoover Partner Derek Gilliland Provides Expertise in Law360 Article on the Biggest Texas Cases to Watch in 2021

Law360 has featured Sorey & Hoover Partner Derek Gilliland in an article about the biggest court cases to watch in Texas in 2021. In the article, “Texas Cases to Watch in 2021” (subscription required), Mr. Gilliland provides legal analysis of lawsuits involving accusations that Facebook provided a platform for child sex traffickers.

The Texas Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in three such lawsuits in early January. Facebook argues it is immune from the claims under section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA). But plaintiffs argue that an amendment to the CDA – called the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act – means Facebook has no such immunity.

In speaking with Law360 about the case, Mr. Gilliland details why the language in the amendment is not clear. “There was an initial draft that would have — if it passed exactly like it was — there would be no question that the state law claims are allowed, ” he said. “But because it was modified slightly, it creates a question about what the intent was by removing that language.”

The case is In re: Facebook Inc. et al., case number 20-0434, in the Texas Supreme Court.

Derek Gilliland is a veteran trial lawyer with offices in Longview and Waco. To schedule an appointment, contact our firm today.