Attorney Profile

Dean Micknal

Dean Micknal began teaching Special Education on an emergency permit in 1997. He earned his lifetime Special Education certification in 1999 and will forever consider himself to be a “teacher who went to law school.”

During the eight years he spent in the classroom, Dean had the opportunity to work with a diverse population of students and co-workers, having devoted the first five years of his teaching career to elementary special education and the remaining three years to secondary science. This experience allows him to apply a unique and valuable perspective to the legal challenges Texas public schools face on a day-to-day basis.

Upon receiving his law degree from the University of Oregon in 2009, Dean unsuccessfully attempted to try something other than education for a couple of years. Fortunately, he stumbled onto an opportunity to begin working with Rhonda Crass and Kim Mullins with Henslee Schwartz in 2012. The next year, Dean helped Mike and Rhonda launch Leasor Crass, P.C. Over a decade later, he is still thrilled to work daily with a group of attorneys who share his background and passion for helping those responsible for serving the needs of students throughout Texas is a dream come true.

Dean was lucky enough to marry his high school sweetheart. With three children now having successfully graduated from Texas public schools, they recently moved to a 4 ½ acre hobby farm that appears to be primarily focused on growing poison oak. When he isn’t assisting Special Education directors, Dean enjoys exploring the outdoors and relaxing with a good book.