First Admitted: 1997, Texas

Professional Webpage: https://fordbergner.com/texas-lawyers/don-ford/

Bar / Professional Activity:

Commissioner, Judicial Branch Certification Commission (2014 - Present). The Commission is a 9-member body that adjudicates, among other things, complaints regarding private, professional guardians. , 2020
Texas Guardianship Association, Member, 2007 - Present
National Business Institute, Member, Faculty and Planning Committee, 2003 - Present
Houston Bar Foundation, Member, 2006 - Present
The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board member (Guest Editor Jan/Feb 2002, March/April 2003, and March/April 2010). Board member 2000-present., 2000
Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2011 - Present, Member, Membership Nominating Committee, 2011
Continuing Legal Education Committee member for the Houston Bar Association
Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Board of Trustees, Member, 2001-2012, President 2010 - 2011. Board member 2001 - Present, Immediate Past President, 2011-2012, President-Elect, 2009-2010, Vice President, 2002-2003, 2008-2009, Chair, Suspension and Termination Committee, 2002-2003, 2006-2007, Chair, Publicity Committee, 2005-2006, Chair, Experienced Panel Standards Committee, 2004-2005
Disability & Elder Law Attorneys' Association, Member, 1999 - Present
Commissioner, Judicial Branch Certification Commission -- Appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to serve as a Commissioner in overseeing issues related to private professional guardians. Rules Task Force, 2013 – Present, 2014
Texas Guardianship Certification Board (Rules Committee Chair, Disciplinary Review Committee member, Legislative Committee Member). Board member, 2006 - Present, 2006
Probate, Trusts and Estates section member of the Houston Bar Association, 2020
Attorneys in Tax and Probate Section Member for the Houston Bar Association, 2002 - Present

Special Licenses / Certifications:

Certified Mediator, Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law. Mediation Certification Program completed August 2009
Guardianship Certification Board, Appointed by Chief Justice of Texas Supreme Court Board Member, 2006 - Present, Rules Committee (Chairman, 2006 - Present), Legislative Committee (Member, 2007 Texas Legislative Session)
Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2010 - Present , 2010

Educational Background:

Baylor University School of Business, Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting, 1994
Baylor University, Post-Graduate Courses, Masters in Taxation

White Papers:

Authored paper on Tax issues in a probate case. Presented paper at continuing education course on the same topic., Tax Issues in probate, Attorneys, Accountants, 2024
Authored paper on litigating a contested probate estate. Presented paper in continuing education seminar on the same topic., Litigating the Contested Estate, Attorneys, 2024

Scholarly Lectures / Writings:

Presented continuing education presentation to attorneys on the topic of litigating a contested estate proceeding., Speaker, Litigating the Contested Estate, Attorneys, 2024
Presented continuing education lecture on the appropriate steps in Closing a Probate Estate to attorneys., Speaker, Closing the Probate Estate, Attorneys, Accountants, 2023
Presented continuing education lecture on Tax Issues in Probate for attorneys and accountants., Speaker, Tax Issues in Probate, Attorneys, Accountants, 2024
Probate Practice: The Essential Basics, Basic Tax Matters; Common Probate Problems and How to Solve Them, 2006
Alternatives to Guardianships, Houston Bar Association’s Probate Court Ad Litem Certification Course, 2002
Oddities and Challenges in Texas Probate Law, Who’s in Charge? Issues Affecting Personal Representatives; Miscellaneous Odd and Challenging Issues in Probate, 2004
Top 10 Estate Planning Techniques, Testamentary Trusts (Bypass and QTIP); Business Entities (An Overview of the Basics); Revocable Living Trusts vs. Traditional Wills, 2009
The Probate Process from Start to Finish, The Laws of Intestacy and How They May Apply; Litigating the Case in Probate Course; Putting the Case to Rest: Closing the Estate, 2008
Probate: Beyond the Basics, Tips for Avoiding Liability Issues You May Face in Closing; Preparing for Challenging Litigation Issues in Probate Proceedings, 2008
South Texas College of Law Real Estate Law Conference, Probate Issues in Real Estate, 2014
Hidalgo County Bar Association Guardianship Course, Fundamentals of Guardianship Litigation with an Emphasis on Discovery, 2011
Fundamentals of Trust Administration, Overcoming Ethical Challenges; Essential Steps in Trust Termination, 2012
The Probate Process from Start to Finish, Administering the Estate Effectively; Uncovering the Laws of Intestacy and How They May Apply; Putting the Case to Rest: Closing the Estate, 2013
Estate Planning from A to Z, 2013
The Probate Process from Start to Finish for Paralegals, 2013
The Guardianship Certification Board: A Legislative Attempt to Protect The Elderly, The Houston Lawyer Magazine, May/June 2006
The Probate Process from Start to Finish, 2016
Denton County Probate Bar, Intestacy in Blended Families, 2016
Institute for Paralegal Education, The Probate Process from Start to Finish for Paralegals, 2016
Texas Center for the Judiciary: Civil Justice Conference, Improving Court Processes & Practices in Guardianship Cases, 2017
Frequent lecturer and writer with articles having appeared in The Houston Chronicle, The Houston Lawyer magazine, Forbes and various online and continuing education publications. Frequent speaker at continuing legal education courses in the areas of Probate, Trusts, and Guardianships.
A Review of How to Build and Manage an Estates Practice, The Houston Lawyer Magazine, July/August 2008
A Review of Law Firm Fees & Compensation: Value & Growth Dynamics, The Houston Lawyer Magazine, January/February 2009
Muniment of Title: The Misunderstood Method of Probate, March 1, 2006
Estate Tax Repeal: Miracle or Myth? The Houston Chronicle, August 31, 2001
Fundamental Issues to Understand Before Accepting a Guardianship Litigation Engagement, The Advocate Litigation Magazine, State Bar of Texas Litigation Section, Fall 2009
Your Complete Guide to Leaving an Inheritance for Your Children and Others, Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc., 2008
Estate Planning Makes Tax Sense, Turf Magazine, March 2013
The Houston Lawyer Magazine, Editorial Board Member, 2000 - Present, Guest Editor: Solo and Small Firms Issue; March/April 2010, Guest Editor: The Debate Over Judicial Selection Issue; March/April 2003, Guest Editor: Professionalism Issue; January/February 2002
Guest Faculty, September 2007
Guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Texas College of Probate Judges, September 2006.

Industry Groups:

Commissioner on the Judicial Branch Certification Commission
Editorial Board Member For The Houston Lawyer Magazine
Houston Lawyer Referral Service Board Of Trustees (President 2010-2011)
Judicial Branch Certification Commission
Texas Guardianship Certification Board Member

Don D. Ford III