Texas A&M v. Luxemburg, 93 S.W.3d 419 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2002, pet. denied)

We withdraw our opinion of July 11, 2002, and substitute the following opinion. A university professor sued the
university and several administrators, alleging that his constitutional rights were violated in connection with the
termination of his employment. Following a jury trial, the trial court entered judgment in favor of the professor,
ordering the university to reinstate him to his former position and awarding him back pay, attorney's fees, and costs.
The university and administrators appealed. We affirm in part and reverse and render in part.

I. Factual Background

In 1989, Leon Luxemburg was hired as a part-time instructor in the Maritime College of Texas A&M University at
Galveston (TAMUG). In 1990, Luxemburg began discussing a possible tenure-track position with Larry Slotta, the
Director of Engineering Programs at TAMUG. In two separate letters from Slotta to Luxemburg, Slotta outlined their
discussions about the terms of Luxemburg’s employment. Both letters indicated that Luxemburg would receive a nine-
month salary of $41,000, two-thirds of which would be funded by TAMUG, with the remaining one-third to be provided
by Luxemburg’s research funds. On August 24, 1990, Luxemburg acknowledged receipt of the “Terms and Conditions
of Faculty Appointment,” notifying Luxemburg of his appointment as a non-tenured assistant professor for a nine-
month period from September 1, 1990, to May 31, 1991. Under “Salary,” this document had a typewritten notation of
“($4,555.56 mo),” which equates to $41,000 over nine months; however, the document does not mention the
previously discussed division of the sources for Luxemburg’s salary. Luxemburg claims he understood this to mean
that his monthly salary was, in fact, guaranteed. On September 1, Slotta submitted to his superiors a form budget
request for funding of Luxemburg’s salary of $4,555.56 per month. According to this form, TAMUG would pay 100% of
Luxemburg’s salary through the end of November, at which time TAMUG’s contribution would drop to 57.14% and a
separate account, consisting of research funds acquired by Luxemburg, would provide the other 42.86%.

Luxemburg and Slotta began having severe personal conflicts almost immediately after the school year started. In
November 1990, Luxemburg submitted his first research proposal for Slotta’s approval. According to Luxemburg, after
Luxemburg signed the proposal, Slotta altered portions to overstate costs and falsely claim participation by minority
students before submitting the proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF). Luxemburg submitted a written
grievance to William Evans, Dean of TAMUG’s Maritime College, accusing Slotta of fraud. Luxemburg also alleged
that Slotta physically assaulted him and subjected him to public humiliation.

In January 1991, Luxemburg received two memos from TAMUG’s controller indicating that, because Luxemburg had
not yet contributed any research funds, he should not have received the 42.86% of his December salary that was to
be contributed from such funds. Accordingly, Luxemburg was informed that his paycheck for January would be
reduced to reflect this overpayment, and that all later checks would only be for 57.14% of his monthly salary until he
had supplied the necessary research funds. Luxemburg claims this “pay cut” was in fact retaliation for his grievance
against Slotta.

On April 8, 1991, Luxemburg submitted a written grievance to Dr. James McCloy, TAMUG’s Vice President for
Academic Affairs, accusing Evans of suppressing evidence of Slotta’s misconduct, refusing to act on Luxemburg’s
complaints, and intimidating Luxemburg to prevent him from complaining. Around this same time, Luxemburg sent a
note to NSF requesting removal of his name from the November proposal. This note stated that Slotta added
“fraudulent statements” as well as “incompetent statements” to the proposal without Luxemburg’s consent. On April
10, William Merrell, TAMUG’s President, sent Luxemburg a memo urging Luxemburg to follow university procedures for
withdrawing his name from the proposal and criticizing his actions as a “serious breach of proper professional
conduct.” In an April 16 memo to Merrell, Luxemburg accused him of interfering with the grievance procedure and
requested that Merrell’s charges of professional misconduct be resolved as part of that procedure.

On May 8, 1991, Luxemburg was notified that his appointment had been renewed for the 1991-92 school year. On
May 10, McCloy issued his findings and recommendations with respect to Luxemburg’s grievances. Luxemburg
informed Merrell that he disagreed with McCloy’s conclusions and requested a meeting of the Tenure Advisory
Committee to review his grievances, along with an additional complaint against McCloy for advising Evans not to take
action against Slotta for the alleged physical assault. The Tenure Advisory Committee issued its conclusions, and
Merrell ultimately instructed McCloy to issue reprimands to Slotta and Evans.

In January 1992, TAMUG merged with Texas A&M University at College Station and became part of the Texas A&M
University System (“Texas A&M”). Merrell’s position as President was eliminated, and David Schmidley was appointed
Campus Dean and Chief Executive Officer of TAMUG. During both the 1991-92 and 1992-93 school years,
Luxemburg continued working as an assistant professor, and his salary was funded 100% by TAMUG.

In May 1993, McCloy and Luxemburg’s department head, Ted Chang, both recommended to Schmidley that
Luxemburg’s contract should not be renewed. On May 28, 1993, Schmidley sent Luxemburg an official notice of non-
reappointment, informing Luxemburg that his appointment as assistant professor would not continue after May 31,
1994. Although Luxemburg was paid his full salary for the 1993-94 school year, his duties no longer included
teaching students at TAMUG.

II. Procedural Background

A. The Federal Suit

In November 1992, while still employed at TAMUG, Luxemburg filed suit in federal court alleging retaliation based on
his opposition to unlawful employment practices and deprivation of his rights under the United States Constitution.
Luxemburg named Texas A&M as a defendant, along with Slotta, Merrell, Evans, and McCloy, in both their individual
and official capacities. Luxemburg amended his complaint in May 1993 to add state constitutional violations and
claims for discrimination based on religion, race, and national origin. In December 1993, the court dismissed all claims
against the defendants in their official capacities, as well as Luxemburg’s constitutional due-process claim. In
September 1994, the court granted the defendants’ motion for summary judgment, dismissed Luxemburg’s remaining
claims, and entered a final judgment, which was affirmed by the Fifth Circuit without opinion. See Luxemburg v. Texas
A&M Univ. Sys., 863 F. Supp. 412 (S.D. Tex. 1994), aff’d mem., 59 F.3d 1240 (5th Cir. 1995).

B. The State Suit

On February 22, 1994, while his federal suit was still pending, Luxemburg filed a second suit in state court, alleging
retaliation and deprivation of his rights under both the United States and Texas Constitutions. Luxemburg’s state suit
named the same five defendants as in federal court, plus Schmidley. Again, each individually named defendant was
sued in both his individual and official capacities. Luxemburg’s only requested relief was monetary damages. In
September 1997, the trial court granted a partial summary judgment for appellants, leaving only “state claims against
Texas A&M” in the suit. The trial court set the case for trial on February 22, 1999. On January 28, 1999, Texas A&M
filed a plea to the jurisdiction, alleging (1) Luxemburg’s contract claims are barred by sovereign immunity and (2) there
is no recognized cause of action for damages to enforce state constitutional rights. One week later, Luxemburg filed
an agreed motion for continuance. The trial court granted the continuance and re-set trial for June 1, 1999.

On March 8, 1999, Luxemburg filed an amended petition in which he abandoned his claims for monetary damages and
sought declaratory and equitable relief, as well as attorney’s fees, against Texas A&M and Slotta, Merrell, McCloy,
Evans, and Schmidley in their official capacities only. Luxemburg proceeded to trial against Texas A&M, Merrell,
McCloy, and Evans.[1] The jury found (1) Luxemburg had a property interest in his employment, (2) Luxemburg was
denied procedural due course of law when his employment ceased, (3) Luxemburg was denied substantive due
course of law when his employment ceased, (4) appellants’ conduct was a proximate cause of Luxemburg being
deprived of a protected liberty interest, and (5) Luxemburg’s protected speech was a substantial or motivating factor
for the employment actions taken against him. Following several post-trial motions, the court ultimately entered an
amended final judgment in which the court (1) awarded Luxemburg $275,000 in back salary and attendant benefits,
$120,000 in attorney’s fees, and $2,500 in costs; (2) ordered Texas A&M to reinstate Luxemburg to his former position
or a comparable position “as if he . . . had not been suspended and/or terminated”; and (3) restrained Texas A&M
from directly or indirectly violating Luxemburg’s constitutional rights by wrongfully interfering with Luxemburg’s
performance of his duties, although the court stated that Texas A&M retains the right to instruct and supervise
Luxemburg in a reasonable manner and may discipline, suspend, non-renew, or terminate Luxemburg for lawful
reasons or just cause and if lawful procedures are followed. This appeal followed.

III. Discussion

A. Res Judicata

In their second issue, appellants contend the claims submitted to the jury are barred by the doctrine of res judicata, or
claim preclusion. Because the first lawsuit was decided in federal court, federal law controls the determination of
whether res judicata bars the present state court proceeding. San Antonio Sch. Dist. v. McKinney, 936 S.W.2d 279,
281 (Tex. 1996). Under federal law, the doctrine of res judicata will apply if

(1)              the parties in both suits are identical,

(2)              the prior judgment was rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction,

(3)              there is a final judgment on the merits, and

(4)              the same cause of action is involved in both cases.

Id. Even if these four requirements are established, however, res judicata will not apply if the federal court (1) lacked
jurisdiction over the state court claims or (2) possessed jurisdiction over those claims but would clearly have declined
to exercise that jurisdiction as a matter of discretion. Id.

Unless expressly waived, the Eleventh Amendment prevents the federal courts from exercising jurisdiction over claims
against a state or a state agency. See, e.g., Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 99-100, 104 S.
Ct. 900, 907-08 (1984). This protection extends to officials of a qualifying state agency who are sued in their official
capacities. See Will v. Michigan Dep’t of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71, 109 S. Ct. 2304, 2312 (1989). In his state-
court pleadings, Luxemburg alleged that appellants violated the Texas Constitution by (1) depriving him of protected
liberty interests and property interests without due course of law” and (2) retaliating against him for having exercised
his constitutionally protected rights.” In the federal district court, appellants successfully argued that, with the
exception of Luxemburg’s discrimination claims arising under Title VII, the federal court did not have jurisdiction over
claims against Texas A&M and the individual defendants in their official capacities. Because the federal court lacked
jurisdiction over Luxemburg’s claims in the present suit, we must conclude that res judicata does not apply. McKinney,
936 S.W.2d at 281. Appellants’ second issue is overruled.

B. Collateral Estoppel

Appellants also argue that the doctrine of collateral estoppel, or issue preclusion, bars Luxemburg’s claims. Defensive
collateral estoppel may be used to prevent relitigation by a plaintiff of issues previously lost in another proceeding.
See Johnson & Higgins of Tex., Inc. v. Kenneco Energy, Inc., 962 S.W.2d 507, 519 (Tex. 1998). Because Luxemburg
was a party in both proceedings, the critical issues concern whether (1) the facts sought to be litigated in the second
action were fully and fairly litigated in the first action and (2) those facts were essential to the judgment in the first
action. Id.

1. The First Lawsuit

We must review the issues decided in the federal court to determine whether those findings preclude Luxemburg’s
claims in the state court. In his Second Amended Complaint in federal court, Luxemburg asserted claims for (1)
misrepresentation, (2) false-light invasion of privacy, (3) “[d]eprivation of liberty interest[s],” (4) violation of the Texas
Whistleblower Act, and (5) discrimination based on race, national origin, and religion. Luxemburg identified in his
complaint the following four liberty interests of which he was allegedly deprived: (1) “freedom to act responsibly in his
profession,” (2) his employment, (3) “freedom to speak out on matters of general concern,” and (4) “freedom from
retaliation.” The federal court treated these claims collectively as claims under 42 U.S.C. ' 1983 for deprivation of
rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. See 42 U.S.C. ' 1983 (1994).

As noted above, the federal court dismissed for lack of jurisdiction all claims against Texas A&M and the individual
defendants in their official capacities except for Luxemburg’s discrimination claims. The individual defendants also
sought to dismiss Luxemburg’s ' 1983 claims on the basis of qualified immunity. The federal court first examined
Luxemburg’s free-speech-deprivation claim and concluded that Luxemburg had pleaded sufficient facts to raise a '
1983 claim against Slotta, Merrell, and McCloy. Turning to Luxemburg’s claims under the Fourteenth Amendment, the
court initially noted that “Luxemburg’s complaint nowhere claims that he has been denied procedural due process.”
With respect to his substantive-due-process claims, the federal court concluded the facts Luxemburg alleged in his
complaint as stigmatizing were insufficient as a matter of law to support a ' 1983 claim, and that Luxemburg did not
otherwise establish the deprivation of a recognized liberty interest. Accordingly, the court granted the individual
defendants’ motion to dismiss Luxemburg’s Fourteenth Amendment ' 1983 claims. Thus, Luxemburg’s only remaining
claims were (1) his ' 1983 claim based on his First Amendment right to free speech, (2) his discrimination claims under
Title VII, and (3) his state-law claims.

Luxemburg voluntarily dismissed his state-law claims, and the individual defendants moved for summary judgment on
the two remaining federal claims. With respect to his discrimination claims, the federal court concluded that
Luxemburg failed to make a prima facie case of retaliatory discrimination. In reaching this conclusion, the court
interpreted Luxemburg’s complaint as alleging two acts of discrimination: Slotta’s negative evaluation of Luxemburg for
failing to attend a function on a Saturday, when Luxemburg was observing the Jewish Sabbath; and the reduction in
Luxemburg’s pay during the 1990-91 school year. On the ' 1983 claim, the district court found that Luxemburg “has
shown no evidence that the Defendants acted with an improper motive and thus that no genuine issue of material fact
exists.” Luxemburg, 863 F. Supp. at 422. Again, however, the court’s analysis of the defendants’ summary judgment
evidence focused on Luxemburg’s claim that his salary had been reduced in retaliation for his protected speech. The
court concluded that TAMUG’s decision was based on unambiguous, pre-existing agreements, not in retaliation for
Luxemburg’s constitutional right to free speech.” Id. at 422-23.

2. The Second Lawsuit

In the present case, Luxemburg presented to the jury constitutional claims based on (1) denial of due course of law
and (2) retaliation against protected speech. Appellants contend that these issues were fully and fairly litigated in
Luxemburg’s first suit.

We first consider whether Luxemburg should be estopped from raising his due-course claim. See Tex. Const. art. I, '
19.[2] Due course of law exists to prevent the State from depriving persons of liberty and property without notice and
hearing. Skelton v. Commission for Lawyer Discipline, 56 S.W.3d 687, 693 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2001, no
pet.). The first three questions in the jury charge asked whether Luxemburg had a property interest in his employment
with TAMUG and whether he was denied procedural and substantive due course of law when his employment ceased.
Appellants contend these factual issues were fully and fairly litigated in Luxemburg’s first lawsuit. In that first suit,
however, Luxemburg did not assert any constitutional violations stemming from the loss of his employment.
Luxemburg’s only claims relating to his employment in the federal case concerned Slotta’s negative evaluation and the
alleged reduction in his salary. In its order dismissing Luxemburg’s claims in part, the court specifically stated that
Luxemburg’s complaint “does not allege . . . that Luxemburg possesses a property interest in his job.” Thus, the
federal court did not address whether Luxemburg had a constitutionally protected property interest in his continued
employment or whether Texas A&M deprived Luxemburg of due course of law when it decided not to renew his
employment. Therefore, Luxemburg was not estopped from litigating these issues in the second lawsuit.

Question number 4 in the jury charge addresses the alleged deprivation of a protected liberty interest by the
publication of stigmatizing charges against Luxemburg. A comparison of Luxemburg’s complaint in the federal lawsuit
and his petition in the state lawsuit reveals that the allegedly stigmatizing charges are the same in both. In the federal
suit, the district court found that Luxemburg’s alleged facts were insufficient to establish a constitutional violation
because he failed to establish that the accusations against him were made under the color of the accusers’ official
duties. However, even when the allegedly stigmatizing charges are not themselves made by a governmental entity, an
individual’s liberty interest may be affected if a state employee is terminated based on those charges. See Board of
Regents of State Colls. v. Roth, 408 U.S. 564, 573, 92 S. Ct. 2701, 2707 (1972) (concluding that a state’s decision not
to rehire a non-tenured professor, without more, did not implicate any liberty interest, but stating that a different case”
would be presented if the state had base[d] the nonrenewal of his contract on a charge, for example, that he had been
guilty of dishonesty, or immorality”). As we note above, Texas A&M’s decision not to reappoint Luxemburg after the
1993-94 school year was apparently never an issue in the federal lawsuit. Accordingly, the federal court never
addressed whether Texas A&M’s nonrenewal decision was related to the alleged stigmatizing charges or whether
Luxemburg was deprived of a liberty interest by being refused a name-clearing hearing. We conclude Luxemburg was
not estopped from presenting these issues to the jury.

Next, we review whether Luxemburg should have been precluded from bringing his free-speech claim. See Tex.
Const. art. I, ' 8. In Question 5, the jury was asked whether Luxemburg’s protected speech was a substantial or
motivating factor for the employment actions taken against him.” Nowhere does the charge specify the employment
actions” to which this question refers. Luxemburg asserts that the employment actions” include his nonrenewal by
TAMUG and that the federal court never addressed the factual issue of whether he was terminated in retaliation for
exercising his right to protected speech. Appellants respond that Luxemburg’s pleadings in the state suit do not allege
termination as an employment action” taken against him, and thus Luxemburg’s claims were identical in both suits.
Although the recitation of facts in Luxemburg’s petition does not mention his termination, under the heading “Equitable
Relief,” Luxemburg states that he seeks “reinstatement to his former position.” Furthermore, Luxemburg’s termination
is clearly an issue with respect to other questions in the jury charge. As used in Question 5, “employment actions”
could reasonably be interpreted to include the decision not to renew Luxemburg’s appointment. Because appellants
did not object to this language, and because the federal court did not address whether Luxemburg’s employment was
improperly terminated in violation of his right to free speech, we conclude that Luxemburg was not estopped from
raising this issue in his state lawsuit.

None of the jury issues presented in Luxemburg’s second lawsuit were barred by the doctrine of collateral estoppel.
We overrule appellants’ first issue.

C. Statute of Limitations

In their third issue, appellants argue that Luxemburg’s claims are barred by the statute of limitations. The statute of
limitations for an alleged constitutional violation is two years. See Jackson v. Houston Indep. Sch. Dist., 994 S.W.2d
396, 402 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1999, no pet.); Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. ' 16.003(a) (Vernon Supp.
2002). According to appellants, Luxemburg’s cause of action accrued no later than June 2, 1993, the date he
allegedly received notice that he would not be reappointed. Luxemburg filed his original petition on February 22,
1994, well within the limitations period. However, Luxemburg did not assert a claim in equity for reinstatement until he
filed an amended petition on March 5, 1999. Thus, appellants contend Luxemburg’s equitable claim is barred by
limitations.

Luxemburg responds that his amended pleading is entitled to the filing date of his original petition under section
16.068 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, which provides as follows:

If a filed pleading relates to a cause of action . . . that is not subject to a plea of limitation when the pleading is filed, a
subsequent amendment or supplement to the pleading that changes the facts or grounds of liability or defense is not
subject to a plea of limitation unless the amendment or supplement is wholly based on a new, distinct, or different
transaction or occurrence.

Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. ' 16.068 (Vernon 1997). We apply a two-pronged test to determine whether an
amended pleading relates back to an earlier pleading for purposes of applying limitations. Cooke v. Maxam Tool &
Supply, Inc., 854 S.W.2d 136, 141 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1993, writ denied). First, the original cause of
action asserted in the first pleading must not have been time-barred when filed; and second, the amended pleading
which changes the grounds of liability must not be wholly based on a new, distinct, or different transaction or
occurrence. Id. Luxemburg’s amended petition easily satisfies both prongs of this test, and thus is not subject to a
plea of limitation. Appellants’ third issue is overruled.

D. Sufficiency of the Evidence

In their fifth issue, appellants contend there is insufficient evidence to support the jury’s verdict. With respect to
Luxemburg’s due-course-of-law claim, appellants argue (1) there is no evidence that Luxemburg had an objectively
reasonable expectation of continued employment, (2) there is no evidence that appellants made any false, public, or
stigmatizing charges against Luxemburg, and (3) there is no evidence that Luxemburg requested a hearing to clear
his name and that such hearing was denied him. On his free-speech claim, appellants contend the evidence
conclusively establishes that the decision not to renew Luxemburg’s employment contract was made independently of
any protected speech from Luxemburg.

We review each of these complaints as an attack on the legal sufficiency of the evidence. A legal-sufficiency point will
be sustained when (a) there is a complete absence of evidence of a vital fact, (b) the court is barred by rules of law or
evidence from giving weight to the only evidence offered to prove a vital fact, (c) the evidence offered to prove a vital
fact is no more than a mere scintilla, or (d) the evidence conclusively establishes the opposite of a vital fact. Merrell
Dow Pharms., Inc. v. Havner, 953 S.W.2d 706, 711 (Tex. 1997). We must view the evidence in a light that tends to
support the jury’s finding and disregard all evidence and inferences to the contrary. Bradford v. Vento, 48 S.W.3d
749, 754 (Tex. 2001). Because none of the parties objected to the jury charge, we review the sufficiency of the
evidence in light of the charge submitted. Id. If the record contains any evidence of probative force to support the jury’
s finding, the legal-sufficiency challenge must be overruled. ACS Investors, Inc. v. McLaughlin, 943 S.W.2d 426, 430
(Tex. 1997).

Appellants contend there is no evidence that Luxemburg had an objectively reasonable expectation of continued
employment at TAMUG, and therefore, Luxemburg presented no evidence of a constitutionally protected property
interest. We agree. To show that he had a property interest in his employment, Luxemburg was required to prove
that he had a legitimate claim of entitlement to continued employment, and not just a unilateral expectation. See Roth,
408 U.S. at 577, 92 S. Ct. at 2709. The record shows that for each school year he worked as a tenure-track assistant
professor, Luxemburg was appointed to a specific nine-month term beginning in September and ending in May.
Luxemburg testified that, as he perceived them, the rules of Texas A&M required a hearing before he could be
removed from the tenure track. However, this subjective testimony does not rise above the level of a unilateral and
unreasonable expectation of continued employment. The only other evidence uncovered from our review of the
record is that, upon hearing that Slotta had suggested terminating Luxemburg after only one semester, McCloy
rejected this suggestion as premature.

Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the jury’s verdict, we conclude that Luxemburg has presented no
more than a mere scintilla of evidence that he had an objectively reasonable expectation of continued employment
with TAMUG. Accordingly, the evidence is legally insufficient to support the jury’s response to Question 1. Because
Questions 2 and 3 were conditioned on an affirmative answer to Question 1, we find the evidence legally insufficient to
support the jury’s answers to those questions as well.

We also conclude the evidence was legally insufficient to support the jury’s answer to Question 4. According to the
jury charge, Luxemburg was required to prove that he requested a hearing to clear his name against the allegedly
stigmatizing charges, and that Ano such hearing was held in connection with the employment actions taken against
him.” With respect to Texas A&M’s decision not to reappoint him for the 1994-95 school year, Luxemburg presented
no evidence whatsoever that he ever requested a hearing to clear his name or for any other reason. While
Luxemburg did file grievances and request hearings relating to numerous alleged acts by Slotta, Evans, and McCloy
during the 1990-91 school year, Luxemburg concedes in his pleadings that those grievances were heard by McCloy
and later appealed to the Tenure Advisory Committee. Therefore, we conclude that Luxemburg has presented no
evidence that he requested a name-clearing hearing or that any request for such a hearing was refused.

With respect to Luxemburg’s free-speech claim, appellants argue that the evidence establishes as a matter of law that
the decision not to reappoint Luxemburg was made independently of Luxemburg’s protected speech. To support this
claim, appellants cite only the testimony of TAMUG’s CEO, David Schmidley, who ultimately made the decision not to
reappoint Luxemburg for the 1994-95 school year. Schmidley only stated in general terms that whether or not a
professor has filed a grievance would make no difference to his renewal decision. We cannot say that this testimony
conclusively establishes that the decision not to reappoint Luxemburg was wholly independent of his allegedly
protected speech.

Appellants also claim Luxemburg failed to present legally sufficient evidence of a causal connection between his
speech and the decision not to renew his appointment. In response to Question 5, the jury found that Luxemburg’s
protected speech was a substantial or motivating factor for the adverse employment actions taken against him.[3]
Neither party objected to the submission of this question; therefore, we review the sufficiency of the evidence in light of
the charge submitted. Bradford, 48 S.W.3d at 754.

Although Question 5 specifically asks whether Luxemburg’s conduct was Aa substantial or motivating factor” for
appellants’ employment actions, appellants argue that the accompanying instruction defined “substantial or motivating
factor” in such a way that the jury was required to find that appellants’ actions would not have occurred but for
Luxemburg’s grievances and allegations.[4] We disagree. The court’s instruction merely states that if Luxemburg’s
protected speech is a but-for cause of appellants’ actions, it necessarily is also a substantial or motivating factor for
those actions. We do not read this instruction as requiring the jury to find but-for causation before answering Ayes” to
Question 5. If the court had so intended, it could have included an instruction to that effect. For example, in criminal
cases (where it appears this form of instruction is still in common use), an instruction that “If you find X, then you will
find the defendant guilty” is frequently followed by a separate instruction that “Unless you find X, you will acquit.” See,
e.g., Solomon v. State, 49 S.W.3d 356, 367-68 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001); Planter v. State, 9 S.W.3d 156, 157-58 n.2
(Tex. Crim. App. 1999); State v. Sauceda, 980 S.W.2d 642, 644 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998).   In the alternative, the court
could have worded the question itself in a way that clearly required a finding of but-for causation, without reference to
another causation standard. Because the instruction did not clearly and completely alter the causation standard set
forth in the question, we review the evidence to determine whether there was legally sufficient evidence that
Luxemburg’s conduct was a substantial or motivating factor for appellants’ employment actions. See Hyundai Motor
Co. v. Rodriguez, 995 S.W.2d 661, 664 (Tex. 1999) (“The goal of the charge is to submit to the jury the issues for
decision logically, simply, clearly, fairly, correctly, and completely.”).

The causal link between Luxemburg’s protected speech and the adverse employment action can be established by
circumstantial evidence. See City of Fort Worth v. Zimlich, 29 S.W.3d 62, 69 (Tex. 2000). Such evidence includes,
among other things, knowledge of the protected speech by a decision maker. See id. Schmidley testified he
Areviewed all of Dr. Luxemburg’s file” and the decision not to reappoint him was based on “all the material we had.”
Schmidley was undeniably aware of Luxemburg’s previous complaints and grievances. Additionally, Luxemburg
testified that while his grievances were pending, Evans, who was then Dean of the Maritime College, told Luxemburg
he would lose his job if he continued to complain. Luxemburg later informed McCloy, whom Evans reported to, that
Evans was trying to “intimidate” Luxemburg to keep him from complaining. Although Evans was not directly involved in
making the decision not to reappoint Luxemburg, McCloy was. We conclude the record contains legally sufficient
evidence to support the jury’s answer to Question 5.

In summary, we find there is not sufficient evidence to support the jury’s findings on Luxemburg’s due-course claim,
but the record contains legally sufficient evidence to support the jury’s finding on Luxemburg’s free-speech claim.
Accordingly, we sustain appellants’ fifth issue as to the first four questions in the jury charge, and we overrule
appellants’ complaint as to Question 5.

E. Declaratory Relief

Appellants urge in their fourth issue that Luxemburg is not entitled to relief under the Uniform Declaratory Judgments
Act. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. ' 37.004(a) (Vernon 1997). In his amended petition, Luxemburg sought,
among other things, “declaratory relief whereby in each of the acts of the Defendant(s) would be declared to have
been the acts of a policymaker or acts ratified by a policymaker, all in violation of the Constitution of the State of
Texas.” In its motion for entry of judgment, Luxemburg requested the court to make certain declarations “and enter
same as declaratory judgments against defendants.” The “declarations” requested by Luxemburg were nothing more
than findings necessary to support his claims for violations of the Texas Constitution. Thus, Luxemburg was not
entitled to seek relief under the Declaratory Judgments Act. See Tucker v. Graham, 878 S.W.2d 681, 683 (Tex. App.-
Eastland 1994, no writ) (AA declaratory judgment action is not appropriate where plaintiff’s cause of action is mature
and enforceable in a pending suit that involves the same parties and the same issues as alleged in the declaratory
judgment action.”).

Reviewing the court’s judgment, however, we see no indication that the court awarded Luxemburg any declaratory
relief. Therefore, appellants’ fourth issue is moot.

F. Monetary Awards

In issues six through eight, appellants challenge the awards for back pay, attorney’s fees, and costs contained in the
amended final judgment. Appellants claim (1) the trial court lacked discretion to award any monetary relief, whether as
damages, attorney’s fees, or costs, for a violation of the Texas Constitution; (2) attorney’s fees and costs were
improperly awarded under the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act; and (3) Luxemburg did not present sufficient
evidence to support his attorney’s-fees award.

1. Back Pay

Among other things, the amended final judgment awarded Luxemburg $275,000 in "back salary and attendant
benefits.” Appellants argue this constitutes an impermissible award of damages for a violation of Luxemburg’s rights
under the state constitution. We agree. In City of Beaumont v. Bouillion, the Texas Supreme Court held that there is
no right of action for damages arising under the free-speech provision of the Texas Constitution. 896 S.W.2d 143,
147 (Tex. 1995). This court, as well as others, has concluded that the holding in Bouillion applies to violations of other
provisions in the Texas Constitution as well, including a plaintiff’s right to due course of law. See Jackson, 994 S.W.2d
at 400-01. In Jackson, we further found that an employee’s request for back pay constituted a claim for damages, and
thus was not recoverable under the Texas Constitution. Id. at 401. Luxemburg has presented no persuasive reason
for us to depart from this holding. Accordingly, we conclude the trial court erred in awarding back pay to Luxemburg.

2. Attorney’s Fees

The trial court’s judgment also awarded Luxemburg attorney’s fees in the amount of $120,000. Appellants contend
that the award of attorney’s fees is an improper use of the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act. As we set forth above,
Luxemburg’s declaratory judgment action requested no greater or different relief than his claim for equitable relief.
Therefore, Luxemburg had no legal right to recover his attorney’s fees under the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act.
See University of Tex. v. Ables, 914 S.W.2d 712, 717 (Tex. App.-Austin 1996, no writ). Luxemburg has identified no
other ground on which he might be entitled to recover his attorney’s fees. See Travelers Indem. Co. of Conn. v.
Mayfield, 923 S.W.2d 590, 593 (Tex. 1996) ("In Texas, attorney’s fees may not be recovered from an opposing party
unless such recovery is provided for by statute or by contract between the parties.”). Accordingly, we conclude the
trial court erred in awarding attorney’s fees to Luxemburg.[5]

3. Costs

Appellants also challenge the trial court’s award of $2,500 in court costs. Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 131 provides,
“The successful party to a suit shall recover of his adversary all costs incurred therein, except where otherwise
provided.” Tex. R. Civ. P. 131. Luxemburg was the successful party in the lawsuit below. Luxemburg is thus entitled
to recover his court costs.

Appellants suggest that Bouillion precludes Luxemburg from recovering any monetary award whatsoever, including
costs. We do not read Bouillion’s prohibition against a claim for damages so broadly as to limit a litigant’s otherwise
valid right to recover his or her costs. We find the trial court did not err in awarding Luxemburg his costs.

G. Injunctive Relief

Finally, in their ninth issue, appellants argue that the amended final judgment did not meet the minimum requirements
of an order granting injunctive relief. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 683. Specifically, appellants complain that the paragraph in
the court’s judgment ordering Luxemburg to be reinstated does not describe in sufficient detail the acts sought to be
enjoined.[6] The paragraph in question states:

Defendant Texas A&M University System, and its officers, agents, and employees as successors in interest to
Defendants, are hereby ORDERED to reinstate Plaintiff to the position formerly held by him when terminated or to a
comparable position as if he, Plaintiff had not been suspended and/or terminated. Defendant is hereby ORDERED to
reinstate Plaintiff to a non-tenured, tenure-accruing or comparable position, within fourteen (14) days of the signing of
this judgment.

Appellants claim that this language leaves the injunctive relief “subject to Luxemburg’s own subjective belief regarding
which position he formerly held, and how long his original term of appointment was.” We disagree. Assuming, as both
parties do, that a judgment ordering reinstatement is subject to Rule 683, we believe the court’s order describes in
reasonable detail the acts ordered “that Texas A&M is to reinstate Luxemburg to the position he held when terminated
or a comparable position. While the court’s use of the phrase “comparable position” may be subject to some
interpretation, this is intended solely to give Texas A&M some flexibility in conforming to the court’s order. Contrary to
appellants’ contention, we do not find that enforcement of the court’s order in any way relies on Luxemburg’s
subjective belief concerning “the position formerly held by him when terminated.” We overrule appellants’ ninth issue.

IV. Conclusion

Luxemburg’s claims were not precluded by the doctrines of res judicata or collateral estoppel, nor was his request for
equitable relief barred by limitations. We find there was legally sufficient evidence to support the jury’s finding that
appellants took action against Luxemburg in violation of his constitutional right to free speech, although we find the
evidence was insufficient to support the jury’s findings regarding Luxemburg’s due-course claims. Accordingly, we
reverse that portion of the trial court’s judgment entering judgment against appellants on Luxemburg’s due-course
claims. Additionally, the trial court erred in awarding Aback salary and attendant benefits” and attorney’s fees to
Luxemburg, and we modify the trial court’s judgment to delete those awards. The remainder of the trial court’s
judgment, as modified, is affirmed.

                                                         /s/        Leslie Brock Yates Justice

Judgment rendered and Majority and Dissenting Opinions on Motion for Rehearing filed October 3, 2002.

Panel consists of Justices Yates, Edelman, and Draughn.[7] (Edelman, J. dissenting).

Publish C Tex. R. App. P. 47.3(b).

Motion for Rehearing Overruled, Opinion of July 11, 2002, Withdrawn; Affirmed as Modified in Part, Reversed and
Rendered in Part, and Majority and Dissenting Opinions on Motion for Rehearing filed October 3, 2002.

                                                               In The Fourteenth Court of Appeals

                                        TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, ET AL V. LEON LUXEMBURG


                                                             D I S S E N T I N G   O P I N I O N   O N

                                                             M O T I O N   F O R   R E H E A R I N G

I agree with the majority opinion except in overruling the State’s challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to prove a
causal connection between Luxemburg’s speech and the decision not to renew his appointment. The majority opinion
correctly recites, and the parties all agree, that we review the sufficiency of the evidence in light of the charge
submitted, the relevant portion of which was set forth in question 5 and its accompanying instruction (the instruction):

Do you find that Leon Luxemburg has shown by a preponderance of the evidence that his protected speech was a
substantial or motivating factor for the employment actions taken against him by Defendant(s)?

A substantial or motivating factor need not be the only reason for the action(s) taken, if any. There may be more than
one reason for the employment actions taken against Dr. Luxemburg. If you find that those actions, if any, would not
have occurred but for Dr. Luxemburg’s allegations of fraud and cover-up regarding the National Science Foundation
proposal and/or allegations of discrimination, then you will find that Dr. Luxemburg’s statements were a substantial or
motivating factor in the employment actions taken against him.

Whether this question and instruction are correct according to Hinds1 is of no consequence here since we are not
reviewing the submission for charge error. Similarly, regardless of what meaning the term “substantial or motivating
factor” may have in the case law, its only meaning to the jury and our sufficiency review is that provided in the
instruction, if any. Therefore, our task is simply to discern the causation standard set forth in the instruction and then
assess whether the evidence was sufficient to prove it.

The third sentence of the instruction instructs the jury to find causation if it determines that the employment action
would not have occurred but for Luxemburg’s allegations. But what does this sentence mean if the jury does not find
such a but-for connection? The majority opinion concludes that it does not require a but-for connection, but
apparently only includes it illustratively as something (but not the only thing) that would constitute a substantial or
motivating factor. If the majority is correct that the third sentence does not require a but-for standard, then: (1) that
sentence is merely advisory; (2) the instruction fails to define, or thereby limit the scope of, the appropriate causation
standard2; (3) the jury was authorized to decide the undefined “substantial or motivating factor” causation requirement
according to whatever standard it chose (or none at all); and (4) there is no definition of “substantial or motivating
factor” by which a sufficiency review can be conducted in this case.

Although I agree that the instruction was poorly phrased, I do not read it as loosely as the majority. Rather, I believe
the “If you find . . ., then you will find . . . .” language is tantamount to saying, “If you do not find . . ., then you will not
find . . . .” and, accordingly, that the third sentence of the instruction required a but-for standard of causation.
Moreover, because I do not believe that the evidence identified in the majority opinion is sufficient to satisfy a but-for
standard, I would sustain the State’s challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to prove causation.

                                                                               /s/        Richard H. Edelman

Judgment rendered and Majority and Dissenting Opinions on Motion for Rehearing filed October 3, 2002.

Panel consists of Justices Yates, Edelman, and Draughn.3

Publish - Tex. R. App. P. 47.3(b).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Footnotes

[1] Slotta was never served in the state suit, and although the record is not clear, Schmidley was apparently non-
suited before trial. Neither is a party to this appeal.

[2] The Texas due-course clause is nearly identical to the federal due-process clause found in the United States
Constitution. University of Tex. Med. Sch. v. Than, 901 S.W.2d 926, 929 (Tex. 1995); see U.S. Const. amend. XIV.
Although the federal version refers to Adue process” rather than ”due course,” our supreme court has stated that
these two terms have no meaningful distinction. See Than, 901 S.W.2d at 929.

[3] Question 5 and the accompanying instruction are as follows:

Do you find that Leon Luxemburg has shown by a preponderance of the evidence that his protected speech was a
substantial or motivating factor for the employment actions taken against him by Defendant(s)?

A substantial or motivating factor need not be the only reason for the action(s) taken, if any. There may be more than
one reason for the employment actions taken against Dr. Luxemburg. If you find that those actions, if any, would not
have occurred but for Dr. Luxemburg’s allegations of fraud and cover-up regarding the National Science Foundation
proposal and/or allegations of discrimination, then you will find that Dr. Luxemburg’s statements were a substantial or
motivating factor in the employment actions taken against him.

[4] The Texas Supreme Court has rejected the use of a “substantial reason” causation standard in certain
employment-discrimination cases in favor of a standard by which the employee must prove the employer’s prohibited
action would not have occurred when it did in the absence of the employee’s protected conduct. See Tex. Dep’t of
Human Servs. v. Hinds, 904 S.W.2d 629, 635-36 (Tex. 1995); but see Quantum Chem. Corp. v. Toennies, 47 S.W.3d
473, 480 (Tex. 2001) (concluding that Aa motivating factor” is the correct causation standard for unlawful-employment-
practice claims under the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act).

[5] Based on this finding, we need not address appellants’ eighth issue, complaining that Luxemburg failed to submit
competent evidence supporting the amount of attorney’s fees.

[6] Appellants raise no complaint regarding the use of reinstatement as a remedy for a violation of the Texas
Constitution’s free-speech provision. Accordingly, we express no opinion regarding the availability of such relief.

[7] Senior Justice Joe L. Draughn sitting by assignment.

1 See Tex. Dep’t of Human Servs. v. Hinds, 904 S.W.2d 629, 637 (Tex. 1995) (holding that correct causation
standard is whether employer’s action would not have occurred when it did had the employee’s protected
communication not been made).

2 Nor do the first two sentences of the instruction resolve the issue because they are consistent with either a but-for
or a less than but-for standard. See Hinds, 904 S.W.2d at 633-36 (distinguishing between sole cause standard and
but-for standard adopted).

3 Senior Justice Joe L. Draughn sitting by assignment.

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