The San Antonio Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for the owner of a 3000+ acre ranch in Val Verde County, Texas worth millions because it includes frontage to the Devil’s River and “Baker’s Crossing.” Kevin Young represented Shepard Baker, whose family owned this ranch for decades. In 2010, one of Baker’s childhood friends convinced him to sign two 99-year leases, then the “friend” moved his family to the ranch, began to guide commercial hunting/fishing trips, and eventually forced Baker to leave his own ranch by insisting the leases gave him 100% control. After three years of legal battles, Young obtained summary judgment finding the leases were void and unenforceable and/or had been breached. The summary judgment was appealed, and David Montpas handled the appeal. A unanimous panel of the court affirmed the summary judgment for Baker, agreeing with the ranch owner and restoring right and title to the Baker family.
Magness v. Baker, No. 04-18-00716-CV, in the Fourth Court of Appeals, San Antonio, Texas