January, 2018
by Charles M. Gearing

The best attorneys are those that care about people.  Ford Harmon, an associate with Maddrey PLLC, has demonstrated an impressive dedication to his community and his neighbors in need, and has quickly emerged as one of DAYL’s leaders in the community.  When Ford is not working with his clients—“creatives,” including artists of all mediums, entrepreneurs, and startups—Ford works to stay involved and to help people in any way he can.  Ford has distinguished himself as a co-chair of DAYL’s Aid to the Homeless committee and as a co-chair of the DAYL’s Lawyers Against Domestic Violence committee.  Ford’s leadership of these committees are the first of many examples of Ford’s commendable spirit.

Ford’s legal career began at Maddrey PLLC after graduating from LSU (where he received a full academic scholarship) and SMU Law School (where he received a Dean’s Scholarship and graduated with honors).  Ford’s interest in legal matters affecting artists and entrepreneurs began with the Small Business and Trademark Clinic at SMU Law, where Ford served as Chief Student Attorney.  His work there has continued in his legal practice, where his work focuses on business structuring and governance, intellectual property, art law, and startup and business law.

“I greatly enjoy working with people who have an entrepreneurial or creative mindset and who are passionate about what they do,” explains Ford.  His interest in the creative mindset, along with his firm’s full support, have led to Ford hosting a soon-to-be-released podcast called The Terms of Art, which features interviews with artists and entrepreneurs and examines the legal aspects of these industries.  His transactional work with artists and entrepreneurs at Maddrey, PLLC led him to develop a keen interest in blockchain technology, a new, incorruptible internet technology that allows users not only to record financial transactions reliably but to also record anything of value, including digital or virtual currencies like Bitcoin.  Ford has already published several articles on the subject in newsletters for the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Division and, this spring, he will be presenting multiple webinars, through the Clear Law Institute, focusing on various aspects of the interplay between blockchain/cryptocurrency and the law.

When Ford is not on the cutting edge of exciting legal issues, he helps his community through a number of offices and organizations.  In addition to Ford’s impressive leadership within DAYL, Ford is Vice Chair of the ABA Young Lawyer Division’s Corporate Counsel Committee.  He also serves as a Board Trustee for the Writer’s Garret, a literary arts center that helps bring literature, reading, and writing to the community.

Ford also volunteers with Genesis HeROs (“He who Respects Others”), helping the women and children of the Genesis Women’s Shelter via courtroom advocacy, and with Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts.

Ford Harmon’s rapid rise as an advocate for those in need, and his leadership in cutting edge areas of the law, are just a couple of reasons that Ford is DAYL’s One to Watch this month!