Michael C. Engelhart at a glance
- Current role
- Administrative Law Judge
- Current assignment
- Harris County Civil District Courts
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael C. Engelhart
Administrative Law Judge · Harris County Civil District Courts
Biography
Professional career
- Administrative Law Judge, Harris County Civil District Courts, Houston, TX, 2018-present
- Presiding Judge, Texas 151st Judicial District Court, Houston, TX, 2021-2024
- Presiding Judge, Texas 151st Judicial District Court, Houston, TX, 2017-2020
- Presiding Judge, Texas 151st Judicial District Court, Houston, TX, 2012-2016
- Partner, Engelhart & Greenwood, LLP, Houston, TX, 1996-2008
- Former judge of the 151st District Court of Texas (Harris County) and a certified mediator and arbitrator now active in alternative dispute resolution
- He later held a position as a partner at catastrophic injury law firm Kherkher Garcia LLP
- Associate Editor, Houston Law Review
Education
- University of Houston Law Center — J.D. (1995)
- Political Science — University of Michigan-Ann Arbor — 1992
- in Political Science and Spanish — University of Michigan — B.A. (1992)
Additional information
- Erica Hughes was elected to the position in the November 2024 general election.
- In March 2024, Engelhart lost the Democratic primary for re‐election and left office on December 31, 2024.
- Engelhart was elected to the 151st District Court in 2008 and re‐elected in 2012, 2016, and 2020.
- President’s Award — Houston Bar Association (2019)
- Trial Judge of the Year — Texas Association of Civil Trial & Appellate Specialists (2016)
- Public Sector Achievement Award — University of Houston Law Center Alumni Association (2016)
- In summary: Michael C. Engelhart is a distinguished Texas judge, litigator, and mediator whose career spans decades in litigation, judicial service, and now alternative dispute resolution, recognized for his preparation, fairness, and leadership.
- Fluent in Spanish and has been recognized for his judicial leadership and trial skills.
- Since leaving the bench, Engelhart has transitioned to full‐time mediation and arbitration.
- Currently on the panel of Miles Mediation & Arbitration in Houston.
- He presided over the Civil Court and handled a wide range of cases, including personal injury, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, insurance disputes, products liability, maritime matters, construction law, business disputes, real estate litigation, fraud, employment issues, and professional malpractice.
- Board‐certified personal injury trial lawyer and has mediated high‐value commercial and civil disputes, including landowner‐energy company royalty disputes, multi‐million‐dollar construction projects, franchise disputes, and real estate matters.
- Before joining the bench, Engelhart was a litigator for 13 years at Engelhart & Greenwood, LLP, specializing in plaintiffs’ personal injury and commercial litigation.
- He serves on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists (TACTAS) and Greater Houston Kosher Chili Cookoff, Inc..
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
In civil district and county court proceedings, the court may permit or require electronic participation after appropriate notice; compelled electronic participation for oral-testimony proceedings requires good cause or party agreement, and a jury trial requires party agreement.
Upon appropriate notice by a party or the court, a court may allow or require a participant to appear at a court proceeding by videoconference, teleconference, or other available electronic means, except as otherwise provided in (2).Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings ↗
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Civil district and county trial courts may permit courtroom recording or broadcasting only under Supreme Court guidelines, with the required party and witness consent, or for ceremonial proceedings.
A trial court may permit broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing of proceedings in the courtroom only in the following circumstances:Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Harris County Civil District Courts
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Harris County Civil District Courts
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 10, 2026.
Harris County Civil District Courts current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Harris County Civil District Courts current judicial profile ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings ↗