Brian Schmidt graduated from The University of Texas in Austin in 1995 with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology and Criminology. While at The University of Texas, he served as the President of Phi Alpha Delta, the Political Science Honor Society. His passion for criminal law took him to The University of Texas Law School where he became a member of the American Journal of Criminal Law and a student lawyer in The University of Texas Criminal Defense Clinic. At the Criminal Defense Clinic, Brian was awarded a temporary bar card which, as a third-year law student, allowed him to represent indigent criminal defendants in the courts of Austin.

Upon graduation from Law School in 1998, Brian was hired as an Assistant County Attorney for the Henderson County Attorney's Office in Athens, Texas. After being promoted to First Assistant County Attorney, he assumed primary responsibility for the day-to-day prosecution of all criminal cases in the Henderson County Court at Law. In conjunction with County Attorney, Nolan Wickel, Brian designed, planned, and taught continuing education courses for local law enforcement on the investigation and prosecution of family violence cases. For their efforts, both he and Nolan were awarded the East Texas Crisis Center’s 'Hope Award' in 1999 and 2000.

In January of 2001, 'Wickel and Schmidt' was formed when Nolan Wickel and Brian Schmidt entered into private practice in Henderson County. In an effort to provide the highest quality of representation possible to individuals charged with criminal offenses, as well as families faced with difficult divorce and child custody cases, 'Wickel and Schmidt' has fought to protect its clients rights in Henderson County and beyond. Brian has successfully defended against all ranges of criminal charges including hundreds of Driving While Intoxicated cases. He is the past president of the Henderson County Bar Association and has served as the Henderson County Teen Court Judge and Courtroom Trainer for the past eight years.

Brian focuses his practice on criminal law issues. Click here to view Brian's practice areas.