Richard Morrison IV

Biography

Prior to coming to Lanza Law Firm Richard worked as a manager and attorney in healthcare for the past 4 years. He help with the management of 90+ employees, the creation of budgets, hiring and firing of employees, compliance with regulations governing assisted living facilities (ALFs), creation of employee training programs, creation and update of policy and procedure manual, employee handbook and other duties related to corporate governance.

After his service as County Commissioner, Richard was Of Counsel at a long time Houston law firm that specialized in Municipal Utility Districts. He was a lobbyist in 85^th and 86^th Legislative Sessions (2017 and 2019), created three Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) and had significant input on mental health legislation. He managed FEMA reimbursement claims for 20 Municipal Utility Districts because of damage from Hurricane Harvey. He obtained a $446,000 jury verdict and judgement against a defendant for pollution trespass in Cause No. 2017-55733; 80^th Judicial District Harris County, Texas; Harris County Emergency Services District No. 60 v. Sara Morales and Rebecca Morales.

He served 8 years as County Commissioner in Fort Bend County. As Commissioner, Mr. Morrison managed a $300 million budget and had direct responsibilities over 13 executive managers. As Commissioner, he created special districts in Fort Bend, including; emergency services districts, county assistance districts, MUDs and LIDs. He helped create the Mental Health Public Defender’s Office which identified and diverted 300 inmates from the county jail and justice system to treatment, saving millions in taxpayer dollars. Mr. Morrison also oversaw the Implementation of the 1115 Waiver Program convincing the Court to participate in this federal Medicaid Waiver Program. Matching money from the feds helped create a Crisis Intervention Team, a Crisis Intervention Unit, extend hours for clinic visits for indigent patients, and transformed the way indigent care is delivered in Fort Bend County. Finally, Mr. Morrison delivered $1 billion of roads to Precinct 1 from county dollars and in partnership with TxDOT.

Prior to serving as county commissioner, Mr. Morrison was a successful solo practitioner in civil litigation specializing in drainage law, environmental law and civil disputes. He was responsible for successful outcome in these matters. He tried over 25 cases to verdict. He also handled many appeals including; Alewine v. City of Houston, 309 S.W.3d 771 (Tex.App. —Houston [14^th Dist.] 2010, pet. denied); Harris County Flood Control District v. Kerr, No. 13-0303 (Tex. 2016); Coyne v. Kaufman County, 144 S.W.3d 129 (Tex.App.—Eastland 2004, no pet.); Waste Management of Texas, Inc. v. Blackwell, 130 S.W.3d 337 (Tex.App. &emdash;Houston [14^th Dist.] 2004, no pet.); City of Houston v. Grudziecke, 2003 WL 1922671 (Tex.App.—Houston [14^th Dist.] 2003); Taxpayers for Sensible Priorities v. City of Dallas, 79 S.W.3d 670 (Tex.App.—Dallas 2002, pet. denied); Stewart v. Potts, 996 F.Supp. 668 (S.D.Tex. 1998); Stewart v. Potts, 983 F.Supp. 178 (S.D.Tex. 1997). Mr. Morrison has extensive experience in administrative cases, including administrative hearings before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Administrative Procedure Act cases in state and federal Court related to federal and state clean water acts, clean air acts, and the National Environmental Policy Act.

He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in December 1995, and is admitted to practice in the Southern and Eastern District of Texas. He is a member of the Fort Bend County Bar Association.

Education

Mr. Morrison received his Law Degree from South Texas College of Law Houston in 1995. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Baylor University in 1992.

Community Service And Interests

Mr. Morrison is a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Rosenberg, Texas. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 2801. He has been married to his wife Allyson for 30 years and has 5 adult children.