This week, I had the privilege of presenting at the 23rd Annual Collections & Creditors’ Rights Course hosted by TexasBarCLE in Houston. My session, Superseding Judgments Pending Appeal, focused on the practical and strategic dimensions of Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 24—and why this rule matters more than many lawyers realize.

For most lawyers, supersedeas comes into play at a moment of urgency: a judgment is signed, and the client either wants to pause enforcement during the appeal or take immediate steps to collect.

Texas law gives judgment debtors the right to supersede. The challenge lies in doing it correctly—and, for judgment creditors, knowing how to maximize the security required to stay enforcement.

Here are a few key points I shared with an audience of creditors’ counsel:

  • Benefits to Supersedeas. Supersedeas maintains the status quo for judgment debtors and protects judgment creditors by securing payment if the judgment is affirmed.
  • How to Supersede. Options include a bond, a cash deposit, a written agreement, or alternate security. Each comes with procedural nuances and strategic tradeoffs.
  • Net-Worth Affidavits. TRAP 24.2 provides both a cap and a process for establishing the security amount through affidavit, contest, and hearing.
  • Strategic Tips. I shared practical guidance on working with clerks, sureties, and opposing counsel, plus advice for navigating net-worth disputes.
  • Recent Rule Changes. I highlighted recent developments, including the end of the clerk-approval requirement and the new alternate-security rule for judgment debtors with a net worth under $10 million.

View the Full Slide Deck

Here’s the full version of my slides from the presentation, including practical tips, rule references, and links to deeper resources:

Prefer to download instead? Click here to download the slides as a PDF.

We’ve also explored this topic in these episode of the Texas Appellate Law Podcast:

Supersedeas work might not be flashy, but its nuances present interesting opportunities for advocacy, and it can be a critical part of appellate strategy. Whether you’re representing the judgment debtor or creditor, understanding TRAP 24 is essential.