1.   Charter schools in Texas are a tort case of civic malpractice.

2.   Lockheed last week lost its bid to stay in federal court in the mass tort case, and the case was sent back to state court.

3.   Texas hired on contingency several attorneys, including Texas-based lawyers who specialize in class-action litigation involving personal injury and other mass tort cases.

4.   The question is whether a confidentiality agreement with a former employee, entered by a Michigan court, bars that witness from testifying in the Missouri tort case.

5.   Tort cases include ones involving automobile accidents, products liability, medical malpractice and fraudulent commercial dealings.