Austin CPS Lawyer Defending Parents & Families Across Travis County
Judge Mike Schneider (Ret.) defends parents, grandparents, foster parents, and caregivers across Austin and Travis County who are facing a Child Protective Services investigation, removal, or court case.
When You Need an Austin CPS Attorney
Central Texas families reach out when CPS opens an investigation, a child is removed or removal is being considered, a hearing is scheduled at the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility, or CPS asks them to sign a safety or service plan. Texas law gives DFPS just 14 days from removal to bring a case before a judge, so it’s important to engage counsel as soon as possible.
Who Mike Can Help in Austin & Travis County
Mike represents parents under CPS investigation, whether the case is still informal or already headed to court, as well as parents facing an emergency removal or a full adversary hearing. He works with grandparents and relatives keeping a child in the family instead of foster care, foster and adoptive parents accused in a CPS finding, and medically complex cases where a hospital or provider triggered the report. He also handles reunification work through Travis County’s Family Drug Treatment Court and serves as an expert witness, consultant, or co-counsel to Austin-area attorneys on CPS cases.
How Mike Approaches Austin CPS Cases
Mike gets involved immediately, and his pre-litigation involvement carries an 80 to 90 percent success rate in keeping cases out of court. He reviews the full CPS file, prepares every case for Travis County’s dedicated CPS courts, communicates directly with CPS so families aren’t negotiating alone, and builds towards reunification, not just defense.
What Happens When CPS Opens a Case in Travis County
An investigation starts with a report to the Texas Abuse Hotline. DFPS Region 7, headquartered in Austin, covers Travis County and surrounding counties. A caseworker typically makes contact within days to interview the family. What is said becomes part of the permanent file, and families should not face this alone.
If CPS believes a child is in immediate danger, removal can happen without a prior court order, and Texas law then requires a full adversary hearing within 14 days at the Civil and Family Courts Facility. If the case continues, it moves through status and permanency hearings, then trial if unresolved. Texas Family Code § 263.401 generally requires a final trial or dismissal within one year of removal. Every hearing is a chance to move toward reunification or to correct course when CPS has overreached.
What You Should Do If You’re Contacted By CPS
Waiting to see how an investigation unfolds is risky. Every conversation you have and document you sign shapes the record CPS and the court will rely on.
If you are contacted by CPS, follow these steps:
- Do not sign anything from CPS without reviewing it with an attorney first.
- Limit what you say in caseworker interviews until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
- Write down everything, including names, dates, what was said, and what was requested.
- Contact an attorney with direct CPS experience before your first hearing. Mike’s pre-litigation involvement resolves 80 to 90 percent of cases before court.
What Makes Mike More Than A
Child Welfare 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
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 to felony criminal investigations and capital murder.
Early in his judicial tenure, the Houston Chronicle praised his “demonstrated competency” in handling high-profile cases and consistently endorsed him 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.
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.
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.
Most caregivers, including those accused of neglect, abuse, and crimes against children have no idea how to protect their rights in situations where they or a family member are being investigated or accused of wrongdoing. They don’t know who to talk to, what to share, or what to say when they are aggressively targeted by an entire system with which they are unfamiliar. How these events unfold will impact a caregiver’s legal rights—and freedom—for years to come.
Developed the Child Welfare Section of the State Bar of Texas
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.
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, 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
Press & News
Over the years, Mike’s involvement in countless high-profile cases has earned him national and global recognition in news and media:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mike Schneider licensed to practice in Austin and Travis County?
Mike is licensed in Texas, including Travis County, and works alongside local counsel when requested.
What court handles CPS cases in Travis County?
The Civil and Family Courts Facility on Guadalupe Street, through Travis County’s dedicated CPS Courts and its Model Court for Children and Families.
How fast do I need to act after CPS contacts me?
Immediately. A removal requires a full adversary hearing within 14 days, and what a parent says or signs during the investigation often determines whether the case escalates to court.
Can a CPS finding in Austin affect my job or my ability to foster or adopt?
Yes. A “Reason to Believe” finding goes on the Texas Central Registry and can affect employment and foster or adoptive eligibility, though it can be challenged through an Administrative Review or Due Process Hearing.
What if I already have a family law attorney in Austin?
Other Practice Areas
Administrative Law
Navigating complex state and agency proceedings impacting families and children, including CPS investigations, licensing actions, and regulatory disputes.
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.
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.
Civil Rights Law
Advocacy for caregivers, professionals, and individuals facing agency investigations or constitutional rights violations.
Your Advocate in and Beyond the Courtroom
When your family’s future is at stake, you need More Than a Lawyer—you need a Austin CPS lawyer who has been involved in every aspect of the child welfare system.
Judge Mike Schneider (Ret.) brings decades of courtroom, judicial, agency, and policy 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 consultation.
Consultation Fee Policy: Consultations for criminal defense matters are free. Consultations for family law and CPS/child welfare matters are subject to a consultation fee, which can be applied to a retainer or flat fee if hired. Mike Schneider Law PLLC reserves the right to charge a consultation fee based on the nature of the matter. Submitting this form acknowledges this policy.