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Fifth Circuit will bring courtroom to UH Law Center on Feb. 6 

Jan. 31, 2020 — A three-judge panel of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit will convene Feb. 6 at the University of Houston Law Center to hear oral arguments in three cases.

“Over the past six years, we have held oral arguments at the Law Center for the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas 14th Court of Appeals,” said Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “I am delighted that the Fifth Circuit will also join this group of prestigious appellate courts to hold oral argument at the Law Center.

”The oral arguments provide students and members of the public a great opportunity to observe and witness skillful lawyering by the attorneys and insightful questioning by the federal court judges.”

The cases are:

  • Appeal of a preliminary injunction blocking a Mississippi law that would ban abortion after presence of a fetal heartbeat. (Jackson Women's Health Organization v. Thomas E. Dobbs, M.D., M.P.H, No. 19-60455.)
  • Appeal of a summary judgment in a case involving the suicide of a prisoner in a jail cell. (Jacqueline Smith v. Harris County, No. 19-20194.)
  • Appeal of new sentence after a McAllen man violated the terms of his supervised release. (United States v. Arnoldo Belmontes, Jr., No. 19-40001.)

The panel will consist of Judge Carolyn Dineen King, Judge Gregg J. Costa and Judge James C. Ho.

The court will convene at 9 a.m., Feb. 6, in Krost Hall at the University of Houston Law Center campus, 4604 Calhoun Road. Click here for more information and to register.

Media contacts: Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, cacriado@central.uh.edu; Elena Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-1125, ehawthor@central.uh.edu; John T. Kling, Communications Manager, 713-743-8298, jtkling@central.uh.edu; and John Brannen, Senior Writer, 713-743-3055, jtbranne@central.uh.edu.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 46,000 students.

 About the University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top tier law school located in the nation’s 4th largest city. UHLC’s Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Part-time programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 11 centers and institutes which fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

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