Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan Is Wednesday's Program

Posted by Ernest Hauser 
 
ImageVince Ryan has served as Harris County Attorney since 2009.  The Harris County Attorney is the civil lawyer for Harris County, related governmental entities and their officials.   But the ultimate clients are the people of Harris County.
 
The Office of the Harris County Attorney protects taxpayers.  Last year the Office handled about 300 lawsuits having potential liability to the public treasury of over $50 million.
 
The Office protects the Children of Harris County through representation of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in approximately 3600 cases at any one time.
 
The Office protects the environment by going after major industrial polluters such as those responsible for dumping dioxin into the San Jacinto River and endangering the health of those who fish and swim in the river.  In one case, the Office won a settlement of over half a million dollars from a Ship Channel refinery.
 
The Office protects neighborhoods by going after the owners of businesses that contribute to the crime not only on their own property, but also crime that spills out into neighborhoods and schools such as drug dealing and gang activity. 
 
The County Attorney’s Office is doing all of this and much more with less.  The Office operates on a smaller budget with fewer employees than when Vince took office.  The office has used technology and modern management practices to streamline operations and operate more efficiently.  Additionally, the Office has used innovative programs such as allowing private lawyers to donate their services to the county and contracts with other government entities to provide more services at less cost to the people of Harris County.
 
A Houston native, Vince served in the ROTC while attending the University of Houston.  Upon graduation he became an active duty officer in the United States Army, first serving in Europe and then volunteering for service in Vietnam.  He returned to active duty for Operation Just Cause which ousted the dictator of Panama in 1990.  After his service in Vietnam, Vince left active duty and attended the University of Houston Law School.  While practicing law, Vince attended Rice University and received a Master’s Degree in History.  He also remained in the Army Reserve and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
 
Vince first began working in the County Attorney’s Office under Mike Driscoll and served as an Assistant County Attorney and First Assistant County Attorney from 1981 to 1987.  He left to begin three terms on Houston City Council in 1988.  Following his Council service, Vince was appointed to the Board of the Panama Canal Commission which oversaw the Canal and its historic transition to Panama on December 31, 1999.  During and following his service on the Panama Canal Commission, Vince was associated with several prominent Houston law firms and continued his community involvement, serving on various boards.
 
Vince is married to Pam Rodriguez; they have three sons. Vince is and has been involved in many community and non-profit organizations.