Merri Schneider-Vogel
Partner
Janice Barbo
713.223.2300 x2472
Merri Schneider-Vogel, a former teacher, represents and counsels administrators and boards of public and private schools, community colleges and other governmental entities. She has extensive experience in disability law and advises clients on issues arising under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as on other aspects of special education in school and public settings. Ms. Schneider-Vogel handles special education due-process hearings involving a wide range of issues.
At trial, Ms. Schneider-Vogel represents clients in state and federal courts in discrimination and other employment-related lawsuits and student issues. She also advocates for her clients before the Texas Education Agency, the EEOC and other administrative and regulatory bodies. Ms. Schneider-Vogel routinely provides training for clients in the areas of student discipline, special education, personnel and employment policies and issues, and open government topics.
Publications and Speeches
"To File or Not to File: When Can and Should A School District Request a Special Education Due Process Hearing", (co-presenter with Susan S. Bon, J.D., PhD., George Mason University), Education Law Association, 53rd Annual Conference, November 2007
"A School Law Primer on Issues Facing School Districts and School Employees" (co-presenter with Lisa R. McBride, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP), The Houston Bar Association, August 2007
"Election Advertising: The Do's and Don'ts", Texas Association of School Administrators 2007 Midwinter Conference, January 2007
"Legal Considerations Associated with Educational Foundations", Greater Houston Area Association Education Foundations Workshop, October 2006
Chapter Author, Education Law Association Publication, Texas School Law: A Practical Guide (2nd Edition), November 2004.
Co-author, "The Americans with Disabilities Act: How Much Accommodation is Reasonable?," Texas School Administrators' Legal Digest, April 1996.
Co-author, "Lee v. Weisman: Should a Prayer at a Public School Graduation or other Extracurricular Event be a Thing of the Past?" 56 Texas Bar Journal, January 1993.
Co-author, "To Settle or to Litigate: Practical Strategies for Special Education Cases, Inquiry and Analysis," November 1991.
"School District Liability Under State Law for the Operation or Use of a Motor Vehicle," Texas School Administrators' Legal Digest, February 1988.
Co-author, "The First Amendment and School Employees: A Practical Management Guide," NOLPE Monograph, 1986.
"I Robot: Promoting Safe Schools Through Law and Technology," 44th Annual TASB/TASA Convention, September 19, 2004.
"Special Education Challenges for School Districts: Lessons Learned From Recent Hearing Officer Decisions," TCASE Carnaval 2003, January 14, 2003.
"Confidentiality of Student Records," Harris County Juvenile Probation, January 2003.
"Confidentiality of Student Records," Region IV Education Service Center, November 13, 2002.
"IDEA Thru 21 and Beyond," TCASE Legal Academy, San Antonio, October 21; Arlington, November 4, 2002.
"Educating Students with Behavioral Disorders: From Developing Behavior Plans to Remove Dangerous Students," 16th Annual Conference on Special Education Law, Arlington, April 8, 2002; San Antonio, April 29, 2002.
"Legal Issues Associated with Grading and Assessment of Students with Disabilities," 12th Annual Law Conference for Educators, Region IV Education Service Center, November 2, 2001.
"Defending Against Requests for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief," Council of School Attorneys, September 23, 2001.
"A Pom-Pom, A Miniskirt, ADHD and a Beer: A Student Discipline Update," 16th Annual University of Texas School Law Conference, March 1-2, 2001.
"Legal Implications of a Progressive Discipline System," Bay Area Human Resources Management Association Winter Workshop, January 18, 2001
"Legality of Board Minutes...And Other Related Issues," Fall 2000 Superintendent's Secretary Seminar, Region IV Education Service Center, November 15, 2000.
"Legal Issues Related to Graduation: Degree Requirements, TAAS, Class Rankings and Transition Planning," 14th Annual Conference on Special Education Law, April 7 and 17, 2000.
"Breaking Up is Hard To Do: Ending the Employment Relationship Painlessly," TASB/TASA 39th Annual Convention, October 10, 1999.
"Update on the Laws of Sexual Harassment: Recent Developments under Title VII, Title IX and Section 1983," University of Texas School Law Conference, March 11, 1999.
"An Overview of the Professional Development and Appraisal System for Teachers," Region One Education Service Center Seminar, October 6, 1998.
"When Non-School Disputes are Brought to Your Door: The Rights of Divorced Parents, The Police, and DPRS Workers Over Students in School," 11th Annual TASSP Legal Digest Conference on Education Law for Principals, June 9, 1998.
"Dealing with End of Year Student Issues," Public School Law Forum, Region IV Service Center, April 21, 1998.
"Seminar on Employment Topics," Harris County Community Supervisions and Corrections Department Inservice, April 2, 1998.
"Ethical Dilemmas Facing Administrators and Board Members," TASB/TASA Annual Convention, Council of School Attorneys Education Law Conference, September 28, 1997.
"Recent Commissioner Decisions: Reassignments, Nonrenewals, & Terminations," TASB/TASA Annual Convention, Council of School Attorneys Education Law Conference, September 28, 1997.
"Disciplining Students After Senate Bill 133 and the Reauthorized IDEA," Public School Law Forum, Region IV Service Center, September 16, 1997.
"Juvenile Law Issues Affecting Public School Students," Houston Bar Association, Juvenile Law Section, August 2, 1997.
"Student Discipline in Public Schools: Expulsion Hearings and Alternative Education Programs," 10th Annual Juvenile Law Conference, February 21, 1997.
Education
J.D., University of South Carolina School of Law, 1985
B.S., with honors, State University of New York College at Oneonta, 1977
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Affiliations
State Bar of Texas, School Law Section, Past Chair
Texas Council of School Attorneys, Executive Committee 2007-Present
National School Board Association, Council of School Attorneys
Education Law Association
Texas Association of Community College Attorneys
Texas Scholars, Business Partner
Management Leadership for Tomorrow, Houston - Mentor Program
Noteworthy
Texas Super Lawyer, Schools and Education, 2006 and 2007