Practicing Family Law for More Than 40 Years
Randy Michel is a family law attorney who stands apart because of the many positions he has held in our legal system. The City Council of College Station appointed Mr. Michel to serve as a part-time Associate Judge of the Municipal Court for two years. He was then appointed to serve as Presiding Judge of the Municipal Court for the City of College Station, a position he held for seven years. He was later elected to two terms as Judge, County Court at Law #1 in Brazos County.
After 16 years on the bench, Mr. Michel chose to devote his career to serving as an attorney. As someone who has served not only as an advocate, but also an official presiding over court proceedings, Mr. Michel has one-of-a-kind insight that can benefit you in cases involving child custody and child support, estate planning, probate litigation, and much more.
From the Air Force to the Courtroom
Excelling both as an undergraduate and graduate student, Randy Michel earned a commission in the United States Air Force. As a young military officer, he proved himself through preparation, courage, and dedication, eventually earning the Air Force Commendation Medal and an Oak Leaf Cluster for heroism on the Arctic Circle. After completing his military service, Michel again achieved success in law school. He continues to distinguish himself today in local, state, federal, and appellate courtrooms across Texas and beyond.
Randy Michel attributes much of his success to his tenacity and his willingness to outwork his adversaries. He is a College Station attorney who is respected by his peers; other lawyers know that when they enter the courtroom, Mr. Michel will have worked harder, will be better prepared, and will be better organized than anyone else in the room.
"He lived up to the high expectations I had." Client Praise for the Law Office of Randy Michel
I was referred to The Law Office of Randy Michel by a friend and colleague, and I could not be more satisfied with my experience with the whole team. Randy is not only incredibly knowledgeable and professional - he is also kind, supportive, and attentive. He always took the time to answer my questions and was amazing at explaining complicated areas of my case in a way that helped me to feel informed and empowered. I will forever be indebted to Randy and his team for helping me through a difficult situation, and I know that without them, I would not have the resolution I have today.
View on GoogleRandy Michel came highly recommended when I found myself needing a family law attorney. And he lived up to the high expectations I had. Randy and his staff are professional and provide high-quality legal counsel and representation. They always respond to calls and emails promptly and thoroughly answer questions you have. And he and his team care about their clients and get to know you. They are never in a rush and want to be thorough with the details of your case, so they don’t miss anything. Randy has great instincts of how to present information to strategically present your case in the best way possible. Randy is a man of integrity and has great character. The best compliment I can give to him and his team is if I had to make the decision of who to hire for legal representation again, I would pick the Law Firm of Randy Michel every time.
View on GoogleYou Can Resolve Your Dispute Without a Trial With the Help of Certified Mediator Randy Michel
Mediation is an alternative to traditional litigation. Both parties state their case to a mediator (a neutral third party) outside of a courtroom, and work together to reach an amicable outcome.
The Law Office of Randy Michel in College Station won't hesitate to take your case to trial when necessary. But if we believe your case can be resolved through mediation, we will discuss this option. As a certified mediator himself, Randy Michel can help you save time and money while avoiding the stress of litigation.
Mr. Michel understands how to make your position understood in mediation, and how to help everyone involved understand the benefits of reaching an agreement through this method of dispute resolution.
Practice Areas
"I couldn't be more grateful."
I couldn't be more grateful to Randy Michel and his team for all their help after the unexpected loss of my husband. They were so kind, helpful, understanding, and often going above and beyond for our family while we went through the most painful event of our lives. Thank you Randy Michel, Andrea, and the entire team. I will forever be grateful for you all!
View on GoogleWe were forced to have to retain an attorney in the state of Texas for a custody dispute. Randy and Andrea went above and beyond and we were successful! The issue was not only intrastate BUT also complicated and time sensitive. I would recommend them to anyone!
View on GoogleJudicial Experience
- Elected (1998) as Judge, County Court at Law #1, to serve Brazos County (1999–2002); one of five trial judges in the County, serving a 4-year term of office; re-elected (unopposed, 2002) for another 4-year term; resigned 2006.
- Appointed by College Station's City Council to serve as Presiding Judge of Municipal Court for the City of College Station (1995–1997). Part-time position.
- Appointed by College Station's City Council to sit as one of the two part-time Associate Judges of the Municipal for the City of College Station (1992–1995; 1997–1998).
Mediation and Arbitration Experience
- Certified as a mediator by the National Mediation Arbitration Services, Inc., and by the American Arbitration Association (1991–1998)
- National Mediation Arbitration Services, Inc. panel member on single-member panel arbitrations
- Court-appointed arbitrator by state courts in and out of Brazos County, Texas
- Instructor-trainer in mediation with National Mediation Academy, Dallas, Texas
- Certified as an arbitrator by the Better Business Bureau of America, 1987–1998; panel member on single-member and three-person panel arbitrations
- Selected as a mediator by the courts of Brazos County and by private litigants to mediate general civil and family law cases pending in local courts (1990–1998)
- Selected as a mediator by District Court Judges in eight counties adjacent to Brazos County to mediate general civil and family law cases (1991–1998)
- Selected as a mediator by U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of Texas (1992–1998)
Collaborative Law Training and Memberships
- Two-day Interdisciplinary Collaborative Law Training by CLI-Tx, Ft Worth, May 23–24, 2013
- 9th Annual Civil Collaborative Law Training by CLI-Tx, Dallas, October 4, 2013
- Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, member (2013–Present)
- International Academy of Collaborative Law Professionals, member (2013–Present)
- Brazos Valley Collaborative Divorce Alliance, President (2013–Present)
Certified Legal Specialties
- Certified as a Mediator, National Mediation Arbitration Services, Inc.
- Certified as a Mediator, American Arbitration Association, 1998
- Certified as an Arbitrator, Better Business Bureau of America, 1988
Bar Admissions
- Kentucky, 1980
- Texas, 1983
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
Education
- University of Kentucky College of Law, Lexington, Kentucky
Juris Doctor – December, 1979 - University of Oklahoma
M.S. – December, 1972
Honors: 4.0 GPA (out of 4.0)
Honors: Recipient of Both Teaching and Research Fellowships
Major: Psychology - Baylor University, Waco, Texas
B.A. – May, 1971
Honors: Awarded Air Force ROTC Scholarship (3 Years)
Honors: Omicron Delta Kappa (Leadership and Academic Honorary)
Honors: Phi Eta Sigma (Freshman Academic Honorary)
Honors: Dean's Distinguished List
Major: Psychology
Honors and Awards
- Awarded Air Force Commendation Medal, 1975
- First Oak Leaf Cluster for Heroism on the Arctic Circle, Alaska, 1976
- One of the First Three Recipients of the Brazos County Bar Association's Pro Bono Award, 1990
- Recipient of the Barbara Weathers Walker (Bar Association's) Pro Bono Award a Second Time, Only Lawyer in Brazos County to Receive the Award Twice, 1999
- Selection as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, 1993
- Presented the Award of Merit by the State Bar of Texas, 1996–1997
- President of Brazos County Bar Association, in Recognition of the Most Outstanding Bar Association in Texas for Class II (Membership Size between 110–220 Members)
- Distinguished Volunteer Citizen, by the African-American National Heritage Society, 2002
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation, 1993–2000
- Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation, 2001–Present
Professional Associations and Memberships
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 2016–Present
- The American Society of Legal Writers, 2011–Present
- Brazos County Juvenile Board, Board Member, 1999–2005
- Brazos County Bar Association, President, 1996–1997
- Brazos County Bar Association, President-Elect, 1995–1996
- Brazos County Bar Association, Vice President, 1994–1995
- Brazos County Bar Association, Secretary/Treasurer, 1993–1994
- Brazos County Civil Legal Aid Referral, Inc., Board of Directors, 1990–1995
- Brazos County Civil Legal Aid Referral, Inc., Board Chair, 1994–1995
- National Association of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 1999–2006
- Texas Association of County Court at Law Judges, 1999–2006
- State Bar of Texas, Appellate, Family Law, Litigation, Real Estate & Probate Section, Member, 1983–Present
- Kentucky Bar Association, 1980–Present
Fraternities/Sororities
- Omicron Delta Kappa