Houston ISD filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to block the release of emails between the district and Los Angeles public relations firm Bryson Gillette. The district says the communications are protected by attorney‑client privilege or a shared legal interest and should not be released. Reporters have been seeking records related to the firm’s role in HISD’s recent rebrand.
In May, 13 Investigates submitted a public‑records request for roughly a month’s worth of messages between HISD staff and Bryson Gillette. The Attorney General’s office later concluded most of the emails should be released, but after HISD asked for reconsideration the district sued to block disclosure, as reported by ABC13.
Firm Worked On HISD Rebrand, But No Contract Shows
Bryson Gillette presented branding options and a proposed logo to HISD’s District Advisory Committee, and former communications chief Alex Elizondo described the district’s brand as "isn’t inviting or super compelling," as per The Texan. But reporters who requested records say HISD’s vendor files contain no formal contract or payments to the firm, leaving open the question of who is footing the bill.
District Asserts Privilege; AG Said Otherwise
In court filings, HISD argues the communications with Bryson Gillette fall under attorney‑client privilege or a shared legal interest and should not be public. The Attorney General’s office had already concluded in a September 11 filing that messages involving the district’s general counsel were not protected and should be released, according to Houston Chronicle.
Taxpayer Money And Who's Paying
The Houston Chronicle reports the district’s court filing calls the AG’s decision incorrect and notes the suit was filed by outside counsel Spalding Nichols Lamp Langlois; Chronicle reporting also shows no contract or payment records for Bryson Gillette even though HISD budgeted roughly $1.4 million for consulting in the communications office. That gap has left community groups and reporters pressing for full disclosure.
The case is now pending in Travis County civil court and could take months to resolve; in the meantime HISD says it will not comment on pending litigation and reporters say they will continue to push for the records. The lawsuit and related documents are linked in reporting from The Texan.
