Andrew R. Hairston
of Counsel Attorney
Andrew Hairston joins Cirkiel Law Group with extensive experience advocating for the civil rights and educational opportunities of children and historically underserved communities. Throughout his career, Andrew has worked alongside families, students, community organizations, and policymakers to challenge unfair systems and help ensure that every young person is treated with dignity.
Before joining the firm, Andrew led education justice work at Texas Appleseed, where he advocated for more equitable public schools and policies designed to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. His work included providing testimony before the Texas Legislature and school boards across the state, supporting community-led campaigns, and elevating the voices of students and families most directly affected by education policy. Earlier in his career, Andrew served as a staff attorney with Advancement Project and as the George N. Lindsay Fellow and Associate Counsel at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Washington, D.C.
Andrew’s commitment to justice is deeply personal. Inspired by his parents, a Baptist minister and a public-school administrator, and by generations of lawyers in his family, he views the practice of law as an opportunity to serve others and continue a longstanding tradition of civil-rights advocacy. At Cirkiel Law Group, Andrew brings that commitment to his representation of clients, approaching each matter with compassion, careful listening, and respect for the people whose lives are affected.
Andrew earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, cum laude, from Howard University. He received his Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, where he participated in clinical programs serving incarcerated people and children. He is licensed to practice law in Texas and Louisiana and was selected for the State Bar of Texas LeadershipSBOT Class of 2025–2026.
Andrew is also a writer and an active member of his community. He serves as a deacon at Ebenezer III Baptist Church in Austin and enjoys literature, hiking, and international travel.