--- title: "Michael C. Engelhart | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-c-engelhart-15620" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Michael C. Engelhart Harris County Civil District Courts · Administrative Law Judge ## Profile - Court: Harris County Civil District Courts - State: Texas - Role: Administrative Law Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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.. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### civil remote appearances Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### civil recording and broadcasting Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15620/michael-c-engelhart/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15620/michael-c-engelhart/) - [Harris County Civil District Courts current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15620/michael-c-engelhart/) - [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21d, Appearances at Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf) - [Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18c, Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15620/michael-c-engelhart/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-c-engelhart-15620", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-c-engelhart-15620", "name": "Michael C. 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This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1462948/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure-july-1-2026.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.