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For the first time in seven years, the Texas Supreme Court held oral arguments at the University of Houston Law Center. This event allowed law students to observe the state's legal system in action.
The court travels twice a year to different parts of Texas to conduct oral arguments. This initiative aims to enhance public transparency and foster a deeper understanding of the state's justice system. The last visit to the Law Center was in 2017.
Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes expressed his satisfaction with the court's return, stating, "I am delighted that the Texas Supreme Court returned to UH Law Center to hold its oral arguments in the new John M. O’Quinn Law Building for three reasons." He highlighted that these were the first oral arguments held in their new space since it opened in 2022, offering an excellent opportunity for students and staff to witness lawyering and judging firsthand.
The cases presented included Myers-Woodward, LLC v. Underground Servs. Markham, LLC, which involved oil and gas royalty payments and ownership rights related to underground salt caverns. The second case, Stary v. Ethridge, focused on constitutional law issues regarding due process and protective orders.
Duncan Reedyk, president of the UH Student Bar Association, shared his enthusiasm: “Having the Texas Supreme Court here at UHLC was truly inspiring.” He emphasized how witnessing real-world applications of their studies strengthened their understanding of meaningful advocacy.
Morgan Trevino, a first-year law student, reflected on this unique opportunity: “The Texas Supreme Court hosting oral arguments here gave us a rare glimpse into how legal decisions are made at the highest level.”
Following the arguments, justices engaged with students during a Q&A session covering topics such as legal strategy and client advocacy. Justice Rebecca Aizpuru Huddle advised students: “Law school is really difficult, so work really hard – that is going to be the answer to whatever path you choose to go down.”
Reedyk acknowledged UHLC's commitment to providing high-impact learning experiences: “UHLC’s dedication to its students’ development and success is unquestionable.”