John Schmude

John Schmude

Former Harris County Family District Court Judge/Board Certified in Family Law
  • Family Law, Divorce, Arbitration & Mediation
  • Texas
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Biography

John Schmude is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in family law. As a former Presiding Judge of the 247th Family District Court of Harris County, Texas, he disposed of more than 13,000 cases in every area of family law, including complex divorce cases, modifications, custody actions, adoptions, paternity suits and enforcements. While on the bench, he presided over more than 400 contested family law bench trials, numerous jury trials and thousands of hearings in every area of family law.

Prior to his election to the Bench, John Schmude served as the President of Schmude Law Firm, which handled hundreds of cases primarily in the area of family law and business law, including complex divorce cases, custody suits, paternity actions, modifications and enforcements. He also served as Vice President of a National Bank & Credit Union consultant firm based in Houston for nearly seven years – advising financial institutions with asset sizes of more than a billion dollars.

From 2017-2018, at the request of the Office of the Governor of the State of Texas, he served on a Workgroup for the Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families, which was established by the Texas Supreme Court in 2007. In 2016, Judge Schmude was given the prestigious Family Protector Award from the Texas Home School Coalition.

Judge Schmude's legal expertise, experience on the bench, advocacy prowess and background in the financial sector, set him apart from and above others in the field, for the handling of any complex family law matter.

Practice Areas
Family Law
Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
Divorce
Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
Arbitration & Mediation
Family - Arbitration/Mediation
Additional Practice Areas
  • Modifications
  • Enforcements
  • Property & Asset Division
Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Texas
State Bar of Texas
ID Number: 24067862
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Partner
Skillern Firm
Current
Workgroup for the Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families
Office of the Governor of the State of Texas
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Judge
Judge - 247th District Court
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President
Schmude Law Firm
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Education
South Texas College of Law
J.D. (2008)
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University of Massachusetts
B.A. (1995) | Political Science
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
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Awards
Family Protector Award
Texas Home School Coalition
"Excellent" Award
Houston Bar Association
Professional Associations
State Bar of Texas  # 24067862
Member
- Current
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Speaking Engagements
“The Jury Trial: What You Need to Know to Be Successful"
Houston Bar Association
“I’m From the Government and I’m Here to Help: Authority and Limitations of the State’s Power in CPS Cases”
Texas Public Policy Foundation
"Legal Ethics: What You Need to Know"
Univeristy of Houston Law Center
"Enforcement Essentials
Univeristy of Houston Law Center
"Settling Enforcements", Texas Mediation Conference
"Settling Modifications", Texas Mediation Conference
"Family Law Enforcements, Houston Metropolitan Paralegal Association
"Court Room Ethics", Family Lawyers for Good Judges
"Courtroom Procedures & Ethics", University of Houston
"Philosophy of Law", University of Houston
"What I Know Now (that I'm a Judge) That I Wish I Had Know Then (when I was a Lawyer)", Gulf Coast Family Law
Certifications
Board Certified Family Law
Texas Board Of Legal Specialzation
Websites & Blogs
Website
Contact & Map
Skillern Firm
701 N Post Oak Road
Suite 600
Houston, TX 77024
Telephone: (713) 229-8855
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Skillern Firm
1600 Highway 6
Suite 300
Sugarland, TX 77478
Telephone: (713) 229-8855
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Skillern Firm
22322 Grand Corner Drive
Suite 125
Katy, TX 77494
Telephone: (713) 229-8855
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed