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Harward v. City of Austin — 5th Cir. (Aug 3, 2026)

No. 25-50160 Argued August 3, 2026 Published August 8, 2026; updated August 23, 2026

The Fifth Circuit reviews a district court's decision to abstain from Lake Austin homeowners' challenge to Austin's taxation of their properties. Pullman abstention lets a federal court step aside when unsettled state law could avoid or reshape a constitutional issue. The homeowners say Austin retroactively placed them in full-purpose jurisdiction without notice or a hearing; the city says annexation law must be resolved first. Christopher Johns of Johns & Counsel will seek reversal. Hannah Vahl of Austin's Law Department will defend the dismissal.

Harward v. City of Austin (No. 25-50160) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued August 3, 2026.

Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-50160_08-03-2026.mp3
Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings?docket=25-50160
Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/court-calendars/sitting?d=2026-08-03
Appellate docket — Justia:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca5/25-50160
District court dismissal order — Justia:https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/texas/txwdce/1%3A2021cv00095/1121580/104
District court docket — Justia:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/texas/txwdce/1%3A2021cv00095/1121580
Prior Fifth Circuit opinion in the same litigation — Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/22/22-50924-CV0.pdf
Counsel identification in the prior appeal — Leagle:https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20231012084
Pullman abstention — U.S. Supreme Court opinion via Cornell LII:https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/467/229
Texas Senate Bill 1844 enrolled text — Texas Legislature:https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB01844F.HTM
Texas Senate Bill 1844 analysis — Texas Legislature:https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/analysis/pdf/SB01844H.pdf
Chris Johns biography — Johns & Counsel:https://www.johnsandcounsel.com/chris-johns

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