Winston’s Mask Mandate Court Case Win on Behalf Disabled Children Continues to Gain Attention

A team led by Dallas office Managing Partner Tom Melsheimer has received ongoing media coverage after obtaining the first permanent injunction in the United States blocking a state-wide mask ban.

The Texas Lawbook sat down with Tom to learn more about how Winston got involved in the case, discuss the most striking revelations that arose during the proceedings, and talk about what comes next. 

Winston partnered with Disability Rights Texas to represent seven disabled Texas public school students challenging Gov. Abbott’s Executive Order GA-38, which bans Texas public schools from imposing mask mandates. The team scored a win when U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel of the Western District of Texas ruled that Gov. Abbott’s mask mandate ban violates the constitutional rights of children with disabilities.

Texas Lawbook: How many pro bono hours did you and the rest of the team put on this case?

Melsheimer: Given the compressed nature of the trial where we were having to draft a complaint, identify experts, conduct discovery, respond to extensive motion practice and prepare for trial all at once, we had a large team working very hard for about two months. I don’t know the exact number of hours, but I am confident it is approaching 2,000 hours when everyone is included.

Read the full article and Q&A from The Texas Lawbook here (subscription required).