Fifth Circuit to Hear Oral Arguments at UH Law Center

HOUSTON, Feb. 25, 2026 — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which has jurisdiction over federal cases from Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, will convene at the University of Houston Law Center in early March to hear seven cases.  Proceedings will take place in the John M. O’Quinn Law Building and are open to students and the public.

The three-judge panel includes Chief Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod, Judge Patrick E. Higginbotham and Judge James E. Graves Jr. The court will hear four cases on Monday, March 2 and three on Tuesday, March 3.

“Judges and lawyers play a vital role in shaping our institutions, values and society,” said UH Law Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “By hosting the court over these two days, our students and members of the public have the rare opportunity to witness the appellate process firsthand and gain invaluable insight into how the federal court system works.”

The docket reflects the breadth of issues regularly handled by the 5th Circuit, including cases involving criminal law, constitutional claims, civil rights, insurance and employment disputes:

• USA v. Shaquaila Lewis, Appellant, No. 25-30104 — a federal criminal appeal challenging a sentence imposed for fraudulently obtaining over $1.1 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
• Lucid Group USA, Appellant v. Monique Johnson, Et. Al.; Texas Automobile Dealers, No. 25-50319 — a commercial dispute involving automobile sales and dealership law, raising questions of federal and state regulatory authority.
• Mark Wightman, Et. Al. Appellants v. Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., No. 24-30775 — a civil appeal about life insurance coverage and contractual interpretation.
• E’Mann Comichi, Appellant v. Ingrid Pethel, Et. Al., No. 25-10954 — a civil rights action arising from alleged constitutional violations.
• Michael Molitor, Appellant v. City of Sulphur, No. 25-30432 — a municipal liability case involving the City of Sulphur.
• Eric McCutchan, Et. Al. Appellants v. Mary Nicholson, Et. Al. v. Office of the Attorney General of Texas, No. 25-10890 — a case involving state government authority and constitutional or statutory interpretation.
• Nestor Beltran, Appellant v. Lockheed Martin Corp, No. 25-10808 — an employment dispute involving a major federal contractor.

No backpacks, recording devices and cameras will be allowed while the court is in session.

WHAT:  5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals oral arguments in seven cases over two days.

WHERE: The John M. O'Quinn Law Building, 4170 Martin Luther King Blvd., Houston, TX 77204 and online.

WHEN: 9 a.m., March 2 and 3, 2026

For more information and to register, please visit: https://law.uh.edu/5th/

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