Benjamin Castillo

Texas

O'Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo, P.C.
426 West Caffery Avenue
Pharr, Texas 78577
United States

Tel: 956-318-0555

Email: bcastillo@808west.com
Web: www.808west.com

Professional Biography

Benjamin Castillo is a shareholder at the law firm of O’Hanlon, Demerath and Castillo, where he focuses on representing school districts. He received his BA in Government from The University of Texas at Austin and his JD from South Texas College of Law Houston.

Mr. Castillo has represented numerous school districts all over Texas as general counsel or special counsel, including Houston ISD, El Paso ISD, Fort Worth ISD, Brownsville ISD, PSJA ISD, Hidalgo ISD, Edinburg CISD, Region 1 ESC, Region 2 ESC, Edcouch-Elsa ISD, La Joya ISD, La Villa ISD, Dilley ISD, Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD and Carrizo Springs CISD to name a few. 

Mr. Castillo has an extensive background in all facets of labor and employment law and transactional work for public school districts and other governmental entities. Mr. Castillo is admitted to practice in Texas and before the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Mr. Castillo also speaks fluent Spanish.

Representative Experience:  

  • Labor law advice to school districts, charter schools, and education organizations
  • Transactional work for Texas school districts, charter schools, non-profits, and private entities
  • Texas Public Information Act representation for local governments, school districts, and charter schools
  • Texas School law, including education code interpretation and officials’ legal ethics
  • Texas Open Meetings Act representation at the local government level
  • Texas Election Code advice for Texas political subdivisions, especially school districts

In 2023, Mr. Castillo was named a super lawyer rising star for education law, the only one in the state. He is proud to be a part of a law firm that is dedicated to providing high-quality legal services to its clients.

For more than three decades, the team at O’Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo has been at the forefront of representing school districts and educational institutions across Texas. The firm’s attorneys are highly experienced in all facets of school law and related practice areas, working collaboratively to provide innovative, preventative guidance alongside assertive legal representation.

The firm offers a comprehensive range of school law services. In construction law and litigation, it advises on all phases of construction projects, from planning through dispute resolution. Its personnel administration and litigation practice focuses on non-criminal misconduct matters and day-to-day employment issues, helping educational institutions maintain stable and compliant operations.

The firm also serves as special counsel to boards of trustees, providing strategic advice in contested matters and governance-related issues. In addition, it has significant experience in special education and Section 504 matters, handling sensitive cases with a balanced and informed approach to ensure fair and practical outcomes.

O’Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo is committed to delivering high-quality client service and legal representation. Based in Austin, with additional offices in San Antonio, Houston  and the Rio Grande Valley, the firm serves clients across Texas and welcomes inquiries from throughout the United States.

Clients benefit from a strong depth and breadth of experience across the firm’s core practice areas:

  • School District Social Media Litigation
  • School Law and Public Finance
  • Municipal and Economic Development Corporations Representation
  • Construction and First Party Insurance Litigation
  • Texas Attorneys Enabling Economic Development through Tax Abatement
  • Higher Education
  • Personal Injury and Contingent Fee Matters
  • Labor and Employment
  • Constitutional Law
  • Legislative Advocacy Services
  • Open Government
  • Economic Development
  • Public Policy Litigation
  • Real Estate Planning

The firm’s lawyers encourage prospective clients to raise questions and explore how its services can support their needs. Its combination of deep legal expertise, extensive experience, and highly trained staff enables it to handle complex and demanding matters effectively.

“Benjamin Castillo is regarded as a go-to attorney for school districts navigating high-stakes labor, governance, and compliance issues. Clients commend his ability to deliver clear, actionable advice, while peers point to his rare combination of legal expertise and firsthand board-level experience.”
The Education Lawyers, 2026