About Mike
Mike Siegel is a civil rights lawyer, community organizer, husband and father, and he’s running for Austin City Council, District 7 to fight for our future.
Mike’s background includes 25 years of professional experience as a public school teacher, nonprofit leader, and trial attorney. Here in Austin, Mike served as an Assistant City Attorney and was twice elected as the Democratic nominee for Congress in the Texas 10th.
Skills & Experience
Mike Siegel is a civil rights lawyer and community organizer with the experience needed on Austin City Council.
Mike’s educational background includes a B.A. from Brandeis University, a teaching credential from California State University, and a J.D. from Cornell Law School.
As a teacher, Mike taught third grade, fifth grade, and eighth grade in the public schools, and was active in his teachers’ union. He has co-founded multiple nonprofit organizations, including Ground Game Texas, which fights for democracy and social justice through local issue campaigns in cities across the state.
As an attorney, Mike has 13 years of experience, including several years in private practice as a civil rights and employment lawyer, and more recently several years of service as an Austin city attorney. While working at City Hall, Mike represented dozens of city departments, co-wrote ordinances including our paid sick leave ordinance, and appeared for the City in numerous cases in state and federal court.
Progressive Victories
Mike has been a part of several community victories over the last several years, through his work as a city attorney, political organizer, and Democratic nominee for Congress. Here are some highlights:
2017
As a city attorney, Mike led the City of Austin’s lawsuit against Greg Abbott and the State of Texas to stop implementation of 2017 Senate Bill No. 4, a bill that openly attacked the rights of immigrants in Texas. Mike coordinated with dozens of public officials across the state, brought the community’s voice to the federal court, and won a statewide injunction to protect immigrant families.
2018
When student organizers at this historically Black university revealed that county officials were suppressing their votes, Mike mobilized to defend democracy. He combined his resources with local advocacy efforts and invited his campaign staff to aid in the fight. When one of Mike’s field organizers was illegally targeted and arrested for advocacy, national outcry forced the county to accept the students’ demands for polling place access.
2021
At a key moment for community safety, Mike sued Greg Abbott and the State of Texas to ensure that Travis County school districts could require students to wear masks to mitigate COVID transmission. His success allowed Austin-area school districts to require masks during the 2021-2022 school year and helped save lives by ensuring that hundreds of Texas schools could impose mask requirements.
Deep Investment in Austin
Mike’s campaign is inspired by the people of District 7, who are an essential part of his family’s life here in Austin.
Mike’s children attend local public schools and participate in a variety of activities like theater, soccer, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. Mike’s wife owns a local veterinary clinic and cares for hundreds of local pets. The family is active in a variety of local community efforts, ranging from parent teacher associations and youth mentoring to community organizing and more.
Mike is committed to helping make Austin a safe and welcoming place where people from all backgrounds can thrive.