By Dori Wind

Frederick P. “Rick” Forlano has been practicing law in the Fort Bend and Houston area for more than thirty years. He is a general practitioner who has earned high praise from his peers and clients. He represents clients in criminal, civil, probate, juvenile and family matters. A graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, he has litigated cases all over the State of Texas in both state and federal courts.
He currently holds the highest rating for a lawyer, AV, from the legal rating service of Martindale-Hubbel and is listed in Who’s Who, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who in American Law. He is a member of the Fort Bend Bar Association, the Fort Bend County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association where he served as treasurer, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the Texas Bar Association where he is a long time member of the Law Practice Management Committee.

“Working with the Law Practice Management Committee, I travel across the state lecturing to attorneys and law students about the basics of establishing and maintaining an efficient and productive law practice,” said Forlano. “I enjoy mentoring young lawyers and helping them to start their careers. Having worked with a firm and also being my own boss in my own practice, I can explain the differences as well as the pros and cons of both types of practice and the business management for each type of firm.” Additionally, he shares his insights and expertise at Fort Bend and other county bar association seminars and programs in addition to speaking at Texas State Bar programs.

Forlano is also uniquely qualified on law firm technology and loves discussing the advantages of technology in the field of law. He cites examples of how courts in Fort Bend could better employ technology to improve the present practice of law in the county. “We are seeing more and more court systems utilizing technology today, including the federal courts that require electronic filings and have basically gone paperless. Our local courts also need to upgrade and enhance technology capabilities, and to properly integrate the use of technology in everyday functioning.”

He explains that, “Individuals coming before the court need judicial determinations in a timely manner and technology is an important tool in realizing this goal.” Forlano cites instances in some of his cases where clients have had to wait longer than necessary to have a probate matter finalized, or in some of his criminal matters persons were inappropriately arrested because the computer did not know a case had been reset.

“It can be extremely embarrassing for someone who showed up in court with their attorney, had their case reset, but still got arrested at work in front of their boss, or at home in front of their family, because the computer system did not acknowledge the reset,” he continued. “I have a background in computer technology and I will continue to advocate for technology to be appropriately utilized in the judicial system.” Before becoming a lawyer, Forlano worked as a computer consultant in the oil industry where he designed and integrated computer systems for the corporate offices of Shell Oil Company.

“Fort Bend County has been very progressive in terms of technology. Now it is time for lawyers and judges to also adopt cutting-edge technology in their practices and courts so that the taxpayers and the judicial system are receiving the best product possible for the least necessary cost,” Forlano said.

As a general practitioner over the past thirty-plus years, Forlano has always looked for opportunities to provide his clients with the best possible representation. In addition to embracing technology in his practice, he also employs mediation in cases which can save a client litigation expenses and generally obtain a quicker resolution of the matter.

From his experience as a criminal defense attorney, Forlano sees that in addition to being tough on crime, lawyers and judges need to also be smart on crime. To this end, he discusses innovative judicial programs that he believes would help not only his clients but the entire judicial process and the taxpayers of the county. He points out that the veterans in the Fort Bend County area should have a specialized court program. “This past session of the Texas Legislature provided for a veterans’ court program regarding certain criminal offenses and I would like to see this program instituted in the county. Houston recently announced that it will have such a court for veterans and we also need one here,” he said.

Forlano is extremely familiar with veterans’ issues since he served in the United States Air Force. He commanded a Mobile Port Aerial Squadron and served on the staff of the 10th Air Force, retiring as a Major.

“Veterans returning home with post traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries who commit non-violent misdemeanor crimes need our help, instead of just being locked away in jail,” observed Forlano. “Fort Bend County already has a special drug court, mental health court and DWI court. Now we need a veterans court to rehabilitate those who put their lives on the line for us, and who deserve a second chance when they return home and experience problems readjusting to civilian life.”

Juvenile delinquency is another area of the justice system where Forlano believes that the system should work smarter. “If we simply lock up our young people, then many times we only teach them to be worse criminals,” he noted.

He warns that if we do not work to rehabilitate juvenile delinquents, then Fort Bend County will have no alternative but to keep building more and more jails. Rather than invest in jails, we need to invest in people. Over the last ten years, Forlano noted that in his juvenile cases, he has only had two children locked up in a Texas Youth Commission facility. He also proudly talks about the kids who he has helped to go on to lead productive lives. One child in particular that he helped get into a residential facility in Wimberly was so successful in their program, that he became their shining star representing them around the area.

He has represented people from all walks of life including donating his time doing pro bono work for many individuals and representing NFL and other sports figures, business executives, corporations and elected officials.

In addition to an extremely active legal practice, Forlano is committed to helping Fort Bend County be the best community possible. He participates in numerous civic and community organizations and projects. “Fort Bend is a great place in which to live and raise a family. It has provided me with many outstanding opportunities and I look to give back as much as I can,” he explained. He is a life member of the Fort Bend County Fair Association, a member of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, former President of the Meadows Community Improvement Association, President of the Burney Road MUD, Director of The Wilhelm Schole, Director of the Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, former Parliamentarian of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Fort Bend, and President of the Fort Bend Republican Club for three separate terms.

Forlano has also been active in the Republican Party since before he was old enough to vote, starting off as the publicity chairman for his college young Republican club, working as the Fort Bend County campaign manager for Senator John Tower, working for many other Republican candidates including many of our current state and county elected officials and presently serving as General Counsel to the Republican Party of Fort Bend County.

Forlano and his wife, Sharon, are members of Saint Theresa Catholic Church in Sugar Land. They have five children and two grandchildren. For more information about the Law Offices of Frederick P. “Rick” Forlano, call 713-621-6611 or visit his offices at Sugar Creek

Back to Top