Life After the Bench: Finding a New Purpose in Environmental Advocacy
Closing One Chapter When I retired as the elected judge of Travis County Court at Law No. 5 at the end of 2022, I knew
April 8, 2026
Nancy Hohengarten
Retired Judge & Environmental Advocate | Austin, TX
Nancy Hohengarten is a retired judge and community advocate based in Austin, Texas. She served as the elected judge of Travis County Court at Law No. 5 from 2004 to 2022, presiding over misdemeanor criminal cases and working at the intersection of criminal justice, behavioral health, and community services.
About Nancy
During her time on the bench, Nancy focused on programs that addressed the root causes of repeat offenses, including substance use and mental health challenges. She led treatment-focused court initiatives such as Project Recovery, which supported individuals struggling with chronic alcoholism by connecting them with housing and treatment resources.
Nancy also played a key role in the development of the Austin Sobering Center. Beginning in 2013, she helped bring together city and county leaders to study and implement a model that provides a safe alternative to jail or emergency rooms for individuals experiencing public intoxication. She later served as the founding chair of the center’s board of directors and helped guide the project through its planning, launch, and early operations.
Early Life
Nancy Hohengarten grew up in Denton, Texas. Her early years shaped the way she sees the world today. She was a Girl Scout as a child and grew up in a household that cared about the environment long before it was widely discussed.
Serving as Judge
In 2004, Hohengarten was appointed to fill a judicial vacancy in Travis County Court at Law No. 5. The appointment came after the previous judge ran for a district court seat. Soon after, she ran for election and remained on the bench for nearly 19 years.
New Focus
Hohengarten retired from the bench at the end of 2022. After nearly two decades as a judge, she intentionally stepped away from public work for a year. “I was burnt out,” she says. “I wanted time to think about what kind of advocacy I wanted to do next.” Her next chapter began after reading a local news article about the Austin Reuse Coalition.
Blog Posts
Small Policy Changes, Big Environmental Impact: What Cities Can Do Right Now to Reduce Waste
Why Local Action Matters When people talk about environmental problems, the conversation often turns quickly to national or global solutions. Climate policy, international agreements, and
April 8, 2026