Child Welfare & CPS Administrative Law
Houston Administrative Law Attorney with Deep Knowledge of Child Welfare & CPS Agencies
Administrative law governs how state agencies such as Child Protective Services (CPS), also known as Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), and Texas Health and Human Services interact with individuals and organizations.
It involves the processes these agencies use to create and enforce rules, carry out investigations, hold hearings, and appeal decisions through channels like the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH).
Why You Need an Administrative Lawyer for
Child Welfare & CPS Cases
- Caregivers don’t know how to protect their rights during CPS or child welfare investigations.
- Many are unsure what to say, share, or disclose when approached by agencies.
- Child Placement Agencies (CPAs) and foster parents must maintain strict state-level licenses.
- Administrative procedures are complex, highly regulated, and deadline-driven.
- A single missed step can jeopardize your rights and increase the risk of criminal charges.
- CPS hearings, investigations, and appeals require more than basic legal help.
- Mike Schneider is an expert who understands child welfare systems inside and out.
What Makes Mike More Than An
Administrative Lawyer?
With decades of diverse trial experience—from every side of the bench and bar—and a deep institutional knowledge of the many agencies with whom he has worked, Mike Schneider has protected mothers, fathers, foster and adoptive parents, grandparents, siblings and anyone accused in countless high-profile cases featured in national and global media.
He has extensive experience representing clients before numerous state agencies, including:
- Child Protective Services (CPS)
- Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
- Texas Health and Human Services
- State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)
- Title IX Departments
When Mike is on your side, you get More Than a Lawyer.
- Former State District Court Judge
- Former Assistant Harris County Attorney
- Seasoned Trial Attorney with Years of Courtroom Advocacy on Behalf of Caregivers
- Expert Witness & Consultant
- Court-Appointed Amicus in Child Custody Cases
- CPS Administrative Insider
- Child Welfare Researcher & Policy Analyst
- CLE Trainer & Educator for Lawyers
Deep Knowledge of Child Welfare Investigations and Administrative Hearings
The goal is to keep clients out of the courts. The moment CPS or law enforcement investigations begin, parental rights—and those of foster parents, grandparents and other caregivers—are in immediate jeopardy, and the risk of criminal prosecution is heightened. Mike’s experience navigating this complex maze of law enforcement and child welfare investigators, pediatric hospitals, social workers, and often the media is unmatched.
Decades of Diverse Trial Experience
Mike has successfully tried hundreds of trials as a lawyer and state district judge, ranging from thorny child custody battles and protective orders to felony criminal investigations and a range of charges and indictments from injury to a child to sexual assault and capital murder.
Early in his judicial tenure, the Houston Chronicle praised his “demonstrated competency” in handling high-profile cases and consistently endorsed him throughout his entire judicial career, noting, “Schneider has devoted his career to protecting children‚ both as an assistant Harris County attorney and as general counsel of Houston’s renowned Children’s Assessment Center.”
History of High-Profile Success
Judge Schneider is known for his aggressive defense of the most consequential criminal and CPS investigations and in the courtroom at every stage—with clients across the United States. Mike has protected mothers, fathers, foster and adoptive parents, grandparents, siblings and anyone accused in countless high-profile cases featured in national media and across the globe.
Due to his deep understanding of the child welfare systems and agencies, he has an 80–90% success rate in preventing CPS lawsuits through his involvement in administrative and investigation cases.
Advocacy Founder & Leader
Mike has founded or served as a leading member of numerous advocacy courts, programs and organizations including:
- Commissioner, Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families (Children’s Commission), Austin (2015-21)
- Founder of first Juvenile Drug Court in Harris County
- Founder, Harris County Juvenile Human Trafficking Court, Creating Advocacy Resilience and Empowerment (“CARE” formerly “GIRLS” Court)
- Founder, Juvenile Sealing Program, with Houston Bar Association and University of Houston Law Center Juvenile and Capital Advocacy Program
- Founder, myvoiceincourt.org, an Online Resource for Children in Texas Foster Care
- Council & Founding Member of Child Welfare Section, State Bar of Texas, Austin
- Board Member, The Way Home Adoption, Inc. (2019-24)
- Chair, Officer, Juvenile Law Section, State Bar of Texas, Austin
- Board of Directors, Center for Science and Law, Palo Alto, California
- Board Member, Criss Cole Children’s Foundation, Houston
- Member of Data Committee, Children’s Commission, Austin
Understands Every Side of the Bench & Bar
Mike joined the Harris County Attorney’s Office in 1999, serving as Chief of the 313th District Court and managed and tried thousands of child custody cases involving the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (CPS).
In 2001, he became Deputy Division Chief of the office’s Children’s Protective Division, and from 2004 until he took the bench in 2006, served as General Counsel to the world-renowned Children’s Assessment Center in Houston’s Rice Village.
He proudly served as Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission and Chair of the State Bar of Texas Juvenile Law Section.
Trained & Educated Thousands of Lawyers
Mike has created and taught Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs that have trained thousands of lawyers on topics including CPS and child abuse, substance use, complex custody litigation, ethics, expert witnesses, human trafficking, record sealing, and many more at the following institutions:
- Advocacy University
- Healing Specialties Texas
- Houston Bar Association
- University of Houston Law Center Juvenile & Capital Advocacy Program
- Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, Sing Sing Correctional Facility
Conducted Years of Legal Research & Policy Analysis
In 2017, Mike was appointed Adjunct Research Scientist in the Psychology Department of Columbia University in the City of New York by Dr. Carl Hart and in 2022 to the Board of the Center for Science and the Law.
In 2019 Mike served the Texas Legislature as Policy Analyst on child welfare issues for State Representative Gene Wu.
Mike has a deep understanding of the policies that affect his clients the most.
Other Practice Areas
Child Welfare & CPS Defense
We fight for clients at every stage of child custody battles, including CPS involvement—preventing cases from escalating to litigation or appeals whenever possible.
Professional Licensing Defense
We defend Child Placement Agencies (CPAs) and foster parents facing unjust license suspension or revocation actions, protecting their ability to providing childcare.
Family Law
Custody, divorce, adoption, and parental rights representation for spouses, families, grandparents, foster parents, and caregivers fighting for the children in their care.
Criminal Law
Strategic defense in state and federal cases, including felony and juvenile matters impacting or triggered by child custody investigations and litigation.
Civil Rights Law
Advocacy for caregivers, professionals, and individuals facing agency investigations or constitutional rights violations.
How We Handle Administrative Disputes
Administrative disputes involving child welfare and CPS investigations often involve strict procedures and short deadlines.
Depending on your situation, we may recommend:
Negotiate
before escalation
Resolve
issues directly with the agency efficiently
Prepare
and guide you through administrative hearings
Represent
commissions, or judges
File
appeals to challenge harmful agency actions
Challenge
adverse decisions using proper legal processes
Litigate
courts
Press & News
Over the years, Mike’s involvement in countless high-profile cases has earned him national and global recognition in news and media:
You Need More Than a Lawyer, You Need an Administrative Insider
When you or a loved one’s future and freedom are at the center of an administrative dispute, you need More Than a Lawyer—you need someone with deep knowledge of child welfare investigations and administrative hearings.
Judge Mike Schneider (Ret.) brings decades of courtroom, judicial, agency, and administrative experience to defend your family with unmatched insight and compassion.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Every moment counts when facing CPS, criminal, or family law issues. It is essential that we build your defense strategy as soon as possible. Let’s schedule a confidential, complimentary consultation.