Law Offices of A. G. Fortson, P. C.

01/25/2023

PRACTICE ANNOUNCEMENT

My legal work as a family preservationist extends over 20 years. Whether the impact is felt in the courtroom or in the state legislature, I consistently strive for systemic change to the child welfare system. In 2023, my pursuit for a more just and equitable system will include a new role as a Harris County assistant attorney. As such, it is with mixed emotions that I announce that the Law Offices of A. G. Fortson, P.C. founded in 1999 will soon close its doors - January 27, 2023.

To my clients, before I leave, I hope to call you to personally say goodbye. Also, to the extent possible, I will try to put you into the hands of another "fighting" attorney to see your case to its conclusion. It has been an honor and a privilege to have stood beside your family and you. May God bless and keep us both.

06/29/2021

Tomorrow will be the last day of Reunification Month. However, beginning July 1st the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS or CPS) will no longer separate Texas families for non-emergency reasons in the first place! See the announcement sent to Texas attorneys and judges handling child welfare cases from the Supreme Court of Texas Children's Commission.

Update on Non-Emergency Removals Effective July 1, 2021 Resource Letter: For Judges and Attorneys Handling Child Protective Services Cases June 29, 2021 Effective July 1, 2021, DFPS will not file Non-

06/25/2021

Proud to be a part of the TAFDA Legislative Committee which provided legislative input this session.

During this past legislative session, which ended May 31, we saw several bills passed which will reduce trauma to children by reducing removals of them from their homes by the

05/12/2021

Back in action, adorning new courtroom accessories!

02/08/2021

"On Feb. 7, 1926, Carter G. Woodson, initiated the first celebration of Negro History Week which led to Black History Month, to extend and deepen the study and scholarship on African American history, all year long."
https://www.themelaninproject.org/tmpblog/2021/2/7/today-in-black-history-february-7th-1926-carter-g-woodson-launched-negro-history-week

02/03/2021

The Burta Rhoads Raborn Inn Team Ten is preparing a presentation on Misogyny. We are asking attorneys to please complete a short survey sharing their experiences in various work-related scenarios. Please take a few moments to complete the survey. Your answers will remain anonymous. Thank you for your time!

Short anonymous survey of attorney experiences. Close date March 1, 2021. Conducted by Burta Rhoads Raborn Inn Team Ten.

02/02/2021

01/13/2021

Happy Founders Day to the members of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

Delta Sigma Theta was founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University. In March of 1913, the Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. performed their first public act - participating in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington, D.C. Today the sorority boasts of over 940 chapters located in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, England, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, Liberia, South Korea, and the United States impacting lives through sisterhood, scholarship, and service.

01/11/2021

"January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and today, January 11, 2021, is national Day to raise awareness about human trafficking. According to the Office of the Texas Attorney General (OAG), 79,000 children and youth are believed to be victims of s*x trafficking in Texas at any given time. Additionally, according to the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS), children and youth who experience complex trauma, have a history of child welfare involvement, transition out of foster care, or run away from foster care are especially vulnerable to human trafficking." ~ Texas Children's Commission

08/27/2020

Representatives from the National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Policy Council provided an excellent National Association of Counsel for Children Conference presentation today. Attorneys and policy makers would be wise to consult the expertise of the Council or other similar groups and to insist upon a seat for them at any table discussing necessary reforms to the child welfare system. Thanks David Samuel Hall, Christina Parker, and Courtney Canova for your time today!

Developing policy priorities based on the experience of its membership