Hon. Rick Morris

Salado, Texas

Born: September 20, 1950, Killeen, Texas
Married: July 16, 1971
Spouse: Karen Boydstun Morris; University of Mary-Hardin Baylor graduate; retired teacher, Harker Heights High School; Paralegal and Coordinator for Rick Morris; Alternative Resolution Services
Two children and seven grandchildren
Hobbies: Fly Fishing and Golf

Credentialed Distinguished Mediator, Texas Mediator Credentialing Association

Education  + -

  • Baylor University School of Law, Waco, Texas
    Juris Doctorate   1975
  • University of Texas, Austin
    B.A. Business Administration   1972
  • Killeen High School, Killeen, Texas
    1969
  • University of Texas School of Law – Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution
    Basic Mediation Certification   2012
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution, Worklife Institute
    Advanced Family Mediation Training   2012
  • The National Drug Court Institute, National Judicial College, Reno, NV
    Drug Court Judicial Training
  • Texas College of Judicial Studies
    2004

Experience  + -

  • 146th Judicial District of Texas
    District Judge   1989 to 2013
  • Sitting by assignment
    Visiting Judge   2013 to Present
  • Baird, Crews, Schiller & Whitaker, P.C.
    Of Counsel to   2016 to Present
  • U.S. Department of Justice
    Assistant United States Attorney   March 1989 to May 1989
  • United States Attorney's Office
    Assistant United States Attorney   March 1989 to May 1989
  • Gulf Coast Drug Task Force
    Assistant United States Attorney   March 1989 to May 1989
  • Southern District of Texas
    Assistant United States Attorney   March 1989 to May 1989
  • Private Practice of Law, Killeen Texas
    1975 to 1989
  • Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas
    1975

Memberships & Affiliations  + -

  • State Bar of Texas
  • Judicial Section, State Bar of Texas
  • JWA Arbitrations (Judicial Workplace Arbitrations, Inc.)
    Arbitrator
  • Texas Mediator Credentialing Association
    Credentialed Distinguished Mediator
  • Texas Association of Mediators
    Director   2016 - present
  • Association of Attorney Mediators
  • Central Texas Chapter of Association of Attorney Mediators
  • Texas Attorney-Mediators Coalition
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Section; Family Law Section; Litigation Section; Consumer and Commercial Law Section
  • Bell County District Courts
    Local Administrative District Judge   1995 – 2012
  • Bell County Drug Court
    Judge   2009 to August 2015
  • Bell County Bar Association
    President   2009-2010
  • Bell County Bar Association
    President–Elect   2008-2009
  • Bell County Bar Association
    Secretary-Treasurer   2007-2008
  • Bell County Bar Association
    Board of Directors   2003-2007
  • Bell County Bar Association
    President   1982
  • Bell County Bar Association
    President-Elect   1981
  • Bell County Bar Association
    Secretary- Treasurer   1979-1980
  • Bell County Bar Association
    Board of Directors   2004-2008
  • Judicial Section, State Bar of Texas
    Director   2008-2011
  • Texas Center for the Judiciary, Inc.
    Director   1994-1997
  • Bell-Lampasas Counties Community
    Justice Council   1995 to 2012
  • Bell County
    Juvenile Board   1989 to 2012
  • The College of the State Bar of Texas
  • 3rd, 6th and 7th Administrative Judicial Regions: Benlate cases
    Pre-Trial Judge   1999-2000
  • Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Child Support and Visitation Guidelines
    1992-1993
  • State Bar of Texas
    District 8-C Grievance Committee   1982-1989
  • Texas Bar Foundation
    Life Fellow
  • Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce
    Commission Director   1984-1987
  • Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce
    Vice-President   1987
  • Selective Service Commission
    1987-1989

Honors & Awards  + -

  • Bell County Public Sector Lawyer of the Year
    2012
  • Bell County Public Sector Lawyer of the Year
    2007

Area of Specialization  + -

  • Senior District Judge
  • Mediator
  • Arbitrator

Speaking / Authoring / Seminars  + -

  • An Evening with the Judges, 1999 – “What Judges Look for in Motions & Briefs”; “Common Mistakes of Lawyers”
  • Fall Bench Bar Conference, 2002 – “Court’s Charge Update”
  • Fall Bench Bar Conference, 2007 – “Civil Legislation Update”
  • Law Office 101, 2008 – “Practice in the District Courts”
  • Spring Bench Bar – 2009; “DWOP’s, Motions to Withdraw and Discovery Control Plans”
  • Fall Bench Bar Conference, 2014 – “Rule 11 Agreements & MSA’s”
  • State Bar of Texas – Alternative Dispute Resolution CLE, 2017; “A Summary of the Impact of Senate Bill 1876 and Senate Bill 1369 on Mediations”
  • “Required Domestic Violence Training for Child Custody Mediators – The Implementation of Senate Bill 539” – 2017, Texas Association of Mediators Newsletter