Background
Lawrence Jeanpierre, representing himself, filed a notice of appeal seeking review of what he described as the trial court’s order granting Discover Bank’s motion for summary judgment.
The clerk’s record contained no written order entered by the trial court. After reinstating the appeal on May 13, 2026, the Fourth Court of Appeals ordered Jeanpierre to explain by May 25 why the appeal should not be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. He did not respond.
The Court’s Holding
The court dismissed the appeal for want of jurisdiction. It concluded that neither a final judgment nor an interlocutory order authorizing an immediate appeal had been signed in the underlying case.
Without a signed appealable order, the court lacked jurisdiction to consider the merits of Jeanpierre’s attempted appeal. The dismissal was entered under Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 42.3(a) and (c).
Key Takeaways
- A notice of appeal ordinarily must be supported by a signed final judgment or an appealable interlocutory order.
- A summary-judgment ruling cannot support appellate jurisdiction when the record contains no signed order.
- Failing to respond to an appellate court’s jurisdictional show-cause order may result in dismissal.
Why It Matters
The decision underscores that appellate jurisdiction depends on an appealable written order, not merely a party’s assertion that the trial court granted dispositive relief. Litigants should confirm that the trial court has signed the relevant judgment or order and that it appears in the record before pursuing an appeal.