Dr. Robert Tafel; Robert E. Tafel, D.D.S., PA D/B/A Bear Creek Family Dentistry; Buckner Marketplace Dental, PA D/B/A Bear Creek Family Dentistry v. D.S.L.

ACCEPTED 15-25-00083-CV FIFTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS 6/27/2025 10:32 AM NO. 15-25-00083-CV CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE ______________________________________________ CLERK FILED IN IN THE FIFTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS 15th COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS AUSTIN, TEXAS 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM ______________________________________________ CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE Clerk DR. ROBERT TAFEL, et al.

V. D.S.L. _________________________________________________ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO ABATE APPEAL PENDING RESOLUTION OF RELATED ACTION __________________________________________________ Appellants Dr. Robert Tafel, et al. asked this Court to abate this appeal pending resolution of a related mandamus action pending before the Supreme Court of Texas. The related mandamus is No. 24-1062, In re Dr. Robert Tafel. If the Supreme Court grants mandamus relief, it would moot this interlocutory appeal, which can then be dismissed. Abatement therefore would serve efficiency by avoiding briefing and submission of this appeal that may ultimately be unnecessary.

Appellee Lauren Ludlow, executrix of the Estate of Scott Ludlow (the “Executrix”) does not dispute the relation between this appeal and the mandamus action. Nor does she dispute that this appeal will be rendered moot if the Supreme Court grants mandamus relief. Instead, she urges the Court to deny abatement on the grounds that neither this appeal nor the related mandamus action have merit, so

4913-0245-4609 abatement pending resolution of the “speculative mandamus” simply delays the inevitable. Response p.2. Appellants disagree with that characterization, but to the point, the purpose of abatement would be to avoid having to brief and decide the merits of this appeal at all if the Supreme Court grants mandamus relief. Appellants seek abatement for purposes of efficiency, and the Executrix does not address that issue in her response in any way.

Regarding whether the related mandamus proceeding is “speculative,” Appellants note that the Supreme Court called for briefs on the merits, indicating that the Court believes it presents bona fide issues warranting further study.

Moreover, the State has appeared in the mandamus action and filed its own brief on the merits, indicating that the State believes the mandamus action presents issues important to the jurisprudence.

Nor will abatement result in indefinitely delay. Briefing on the merits will be complete in July. It is therefore likely that the Supreme Court will make a decision in the fall, either (1) denying the mandamus petition; (2) setting the petition for oral argument; or (3) issuing an opinion addressing the merits of the petition. Thus, within just a few months the parties and this Court will have some indication of the potential impact the mandamus action will have on this appeal. Appellant would, of course, keep the Court apprised of the status of the mandamus action.

Appellants therefore pray that this Court abate this appeal pending resolution of the related mandamus action. In the alternative, if the Court denies abatement, Appellants pray that the Court grant them an extension of time to file their Brief of Appellants until 15 days after the order denying abatement.

Respectfully submitted, SCOTT DOUGLASS & MCCONNICO LLP Colorado Street, Suite 2400 Austin, TX 78701-3234 Phone: (512) 495-6300 Fax: (512) 495-6399

By: ___________________________ Jane Webre State Bar No. 21050060 [email protected]

CRAIG D. CHERRY Bar No. 24012419 [email protected] CHERRY JOHNSON SIEGMUND JAMES, PLLC 7901 Fish Pond Rd., Second Floor Waco, Texas 76710 Telephone: (254) 732-2242 Facsimile: (866) 627-3509

CHRISTOPHER S. AYRES, Bar No. 24036167 [email protected] R. JACK AYRES, JR. Bar No. 01473000 [email protected] AYRES LAW OFFICE, P.C.

8140 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 105 Dallas, Texas 75231 972-991-2222 – Phone 972-386-0091 – Fax CHRIS DAVIS State Bar No. 24050483 [email protected] GRAY REED 1601 Elm Street, Suite 4600 Dallas, TX 75201 (214) 954-4135—Phone Counsel for Appellants

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that I served this pleading through the electronic filing system on counsel of record on June 27, 2025.

___________________________ Jane Webre

Automated Certificate of eService This automated certificate of service was created by the efiling system.

The filer served this document via email generated by the efiling system on the date and to the persons listed below. The rules governing certificates of service have not changed. Filers must still provide a certificate of service that complies with all applicable rules.

Michaelle Peters on behalf of Jane Webre Bar No. 21050060 [email protected] Envelope ID: 102516350 Filing Code Description: Response Filing Description: Reply in Support of Motion to Abate Appeal Pending Resolution of Related Action Status as of 6/27/2025 11:35 AM CST Case Contacts Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status Michaelle Peters [email protected] 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM SENT Jane Webre [email protected] 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM SENT Luis Garcia [email protected] 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM SENT Christopher Davis 24050483 [email protected] 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM SENT Andrew Sommerman 18842150 [email protected] 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM SENT Jerry Alexander 993500 [email protected] 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM SENT Craig Cherry 24012419 [email protected] 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM SENT Sean McCaffity 24013122 [email protected] 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM SENT Christopher Ayres 24036167 [email protected] 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM SENT Rowe Ayres 1473000 [email protected] 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM SENT George Quesada 16427750 [email protected] 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM SENT D. HunterPolvi [email protected] 6/27/2025 10:32:47 AM SENT