Donald Henslee | Texas Education Lawyer

Mr. Henslee’s career has focused on education law for the past thirty eight years . Early in his career he was asked by the State Commissioner of Education to serve as the state education agency’s first Director of Hearings and Appeals. After leaving public service at the Agency, Mr. Henslee entered the statewide private practice of law in Austin, Texas, where his focus has been education law.  He represents parents, students and teachers in matters including discipline, special education, employment and other matters concerning schools and colleges

In the course of his practice Mr. Henslee has tried over 200 lawsuits and administrative hearings and argued education related appeals before state and federal trial courts, state appellate courts, the Supreme Court of Texas and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

He is a widely sought after speaker and lecturer on education law. He has served as a guest lecturer at every major college and university in Texas. Books and other publications written, edited or published by him have served as teaching materials at fourteen colleges and universities. He has frequently provided continuing education for attorneys, educators and others interested in continuing legal education.

Mr. Henslee also provides mediation and negotiation services, utilizing his postgraduate training received at the University of Houston and at Harvard Law School. He enjoys Grand Prix and Formula One events and playing with his amazing twin grandsons, Mason and Braden.

Position	Organization	Location	Duration
Owner	Law Offices of Donald G. Henslee	Austin, Texas	09/2013 - present
Founding Partner	Henslee Schwartz LLP	Texas	1978 - 2013
Director of Hearing and Appeals	Texas Education Agency	Texas	1975-1978
Municipal Judge	City of Webster	Texas	1973-1975
Partner	Henslee, Ryan, & Driscoll	Texas	1972-1975

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
University of Houston Law Center	J.D.	Law School	1972
University of Houston	B.S.	Political Science	1969

State / Court	Date
Washington	2001
Texas	1972

• Member | State Bar of Texas: School Law Section
  Member | Austin Bar Association
  Member | Washington State Bar Association: Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
  Member | Clallam County Bar Association

• -Honorary Life Membership, Texas Association of Community Schools
  
  -Special Commendation, National Rural Education Association
  
  -Special Commendation, Texas Association of School Boards
  
  -Outstanding and Meritorious Service to Texas Education, Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association
  
  -Outstanding Service Award, Texas Council Administrators of Special Education
  
  -Commendation for Service to Rural Schools, Texas Rural Education Association
  
  -Public Service Award, Texas School Public Relations Association
  
  

• -School Personnel Law in Texas, Book
  
  -School Construction Law in Texas, Book
  
  -Special Education Law in Texas, Book
  
  -How it Works - Assessment, The Key to it all, Book
  
  -School Law for Principals, Book
  
  -Public Officials Risk Management, Book
  
  -Annotated Opinions of the State Commissioner of Texas, Book
  
  

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