Rick Sorenson, board certified in commercial real estate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1993, offers more than 40 years of experience helping clients across several commercial sectors with their business and litigation matters. From operations, governance, transactions, financing, contracting, and sales and acquisitions, to all things real estate, including construction and energy, he provides seasoned representation in the boardroom and the courtroom. Rick counts each day on the job as a chance to learn and bring skilled, clear-eyed counsel to clients and help not only with their problems, but with the realization of business and personal opportunities.
Motivated in part by a desire to understand the law, make a difference, and be a significant part of solutions accomplished the right way, Rick wants to prevent people from being intimidated by the legal process. He derives satisfaction from helping friends and clients overcome challenges, but also in assisting their growth while operating McDonald Sanders at a high level.
Rick is originally from Columbia, South Carolina, but he has lived all over Texas, from Anson, Rule, Midland, Colorado City, Lubbock, and Austin, before making Fort Worth his home. He treasures the city for its iconic streets, including the Main Street run from the Courthouse to the Convention Center and Exchange Street in the Stockyards, and for its vibrant Museum District and the view of the west side from the Lancaster Bridge. While Rick’s time always seems to be at a premium, once in a while he enjoys taking in local sports and the arts and catching his breath in the outdoors while boating, hunting, or fishing.
Education
- Juris Doctor – The University of Texas School of Law, 1977
- Legal Research Board, Member
- Phi Delta Phi
- Honor Council, Member
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Texas Tech University, 1974
- Cum Laude
- Student Senate
Bar & Court Admissions & Certifications
- State Bar of Texas, 1977
- Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- United States Supreme Court
- United States District Court of the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas
Awards & Recognition
- Best Lawyers by Best Lawyers Rankings: 2020-2025 (Commercial Litigation; Real Estate Law)
- Top Attorneys by 360 West Magazine: 2019 (Real Estate)
- Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters: 2003, 2004, 2011-2017
- Top Attorneys >5 Years of Practice by Fort Worth Magazine: 2017-2023 (Real Estate)
- Law Day 2020 Professionalism Award by the Tarrant County Bar Association
- The 400: Fort Worth’s Most Influential People, Fort Worth Inc. magazine - 2022, 2023, 2024
Professional Affiliations & Organizations
- State Bar of Texas, Antitrust Law Section, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Business Law Section, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Business Litigation Section, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Construction Law Section, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Labor & Employment Law Section, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Oil & Gas Law Section, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Probate & Trust Law Section, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Real Estate Law Section, Member
- Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
- Texas Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow
- Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Sustaining Charter Fellow
- National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), Member
- Electric Cooperative Bar Association, Member
- Texas Association of Bank Counsel, Member
- Texas Access to Justice Commission, Champion of Justice Society Advocate
Volunteerism & Community
- Cook Children’s Health Foundation, Member of the Board of Directors
- Cook Children’s Health Plan, Member of the Board of Directors
- Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Sustaining Charter Fellow
- Previous Chair of the Board of Directors and Board Member
- Texas Bar Foundation, Sustaining Fellow
- Trinity Valley School
- Former Board Member, Officer, and Chair of Trustees Committee
- Friends of Children, Inc. (Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth)
- Former Officer and Chairman of the Board
V-card
rgs@mcdonaldlaw.com
817.347.3622
Representative Experience & Services
One of the main areas of Rick’s practice centers on businesses and civil litigation work, which draw from his experience handling a wide range of business transactions, controversies, and litigation. While his history of legal work in energy (oil, gas, and electric) and commercial litigation is extensive, he also has significant experience working with clients in business formation, corporate governance, operations, financing, contracting, sales, acquisitions, employment matters, and related litigation. Some services and background include:
- Providing counsel on the many legal aspects related to running a business, such as operations, sales, acquisitions, mergers, purchases, and regulatory compliance
- Advised one of Texas’ largest electric cooperatives on a full range of matters, such as governance, operations, contracting (including electric service, franchise, and construction agreements) and litigation
Rick also regularly handles matters related to real estate, which among other key areas can also specifically involve construction projects and the real estate needs which energy and utilities companies face every day. He also covers very specific aspects of real estate, such as condemnation and eminent domain and landlord/tenant law. Some of his services and experiences in this sector include:
- Representation of clients in conjunction with real estate sales, purchases, development, and construction
- Handling dispute resolution and litigation related to matters of real estate
- Advising clients in oil and gas negotiations, including leasing, operations, purchase and sale of properties, participations, and any dispute resolution and litigation
- Representation of land owners in condemnation negotiations and litigation
- Worked on proceedings related to the development of the Barnett Shale and the CREZ transmission project, including representation before the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and in related condemnation negotiations
- Represented local governmental entity with respect to a $29+ million dollar college branch campus project, including land acquisition, construction of facilities and infrastructure and the leasing of the campus to the applicable college district
- Advised major university in conjunction with its building projects, including in excess of $450+ million in new facilities and upgrades