Wikipedia

Eric Dick (lawyer)

Eric Dick is an American insurance lawyer who specializes in denied or underpaid property insurance claims.[1] Dick represented clients in property insurance claims arising from events like Hurricane Harvey and 2020 Houston explosion.[2][3] Dick was involved in lawsuits to overturn Houston charitable feeding ban[4][5] and term limits extension.[6]

Eric Dick
Eric Dick portrait
Trustee Dick speaking at the Greater Houston Pachyderm.
President of the Harris County Board of Education
Assumed office
2017
ConstituencyPosition 2, Precinct 4
Personal details
Born (1977-11-27) November 27, 1977 (age 46)
Houston, Texas
Political partyRepublican
SpouseDanielle Dick
Children3
ResidenceHouston, Texas
Alma materHouston Community College, University of Phoenix, Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, University of Alabama School of Law, Rice University, Duke University
External videos
video icon Houston Native and HCDE Board President Eric Dick on the Importance of Helping Others, HCDE documentary in Houston, January 8, 2021

Dick is the owner of the Houston law firm Dick Law Firm, PLLC, which he established in 2008. He also serves as the president of the Harris County Board of Education since 2017.[7]

Education

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Dick earned an Associate in Science from Houston Community College in 2000.[8] Eric received a Bachelor's degree in Business Science of Management from the University of Phoenix in 2005.[9] He later pursued an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2010.[10] Pursuing his interest in law, he completed a Juris Doctor degree focused on Litigation from the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 2008. During his time at Cooley Law School, Dick graduated Cum Laude, receiving recognition on both the Dean's List and Honor Roll.

Continuing his education, Dick attained an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2010. He competed in the ABA Section of Taxation: Law Student Tax Challenge at Alabama. In 2022, he achieved an MBA from Rice University.[11] Dick received a Masters of Accelerated MSQM: Business Analytics program at Duke University.

Electoral History

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Dick's first run for public office was in 2013 in the Houston Mayoral Election. He received 10% of the vote when running against incumbent Annise Parker and Ben Hall.[12]

In 2015, in the race for At-Large Position 2 of the Houston City Council, he received over 35,000 votes in a race against incumbent David W. Robinson and Willie R. Davis.[13]

In 2016, he defeated Marilyn Burgess and was elected as a trustee for the Harris County Department of Education Board of Trustees, Position 2, Precinct 4.[14]

In the 2019 general election for Houston City Council At-Large Position 5, Dick entered a runoff and received over 80,000 votes.[15]

In the 2022 general election for Harris County Treasurer, he received over 58,000 votes in the Republican primary.[16]

Campaign Sign Controversy

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During a campaign, Dick came under controversy for the alleged illegal placement of campaign signs, criticizing incumbent mayor Annise Parker for what he saw as hypocrisy and bullying in a press release entitled Parker Afraid of Dick.[17] Accusations of selective prosecution by the City of Houston and misleading communication from the city attorney, allegedly due to political affiliations, further escalated the issue.[18]

HCDE Board of Trustees

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Election

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In 2016, Eric Dick ran for office for an unpaid position at the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE).[19] Despite the position being unpaid, Dick used personal funds for his campaign, significantly more than his three opponents combined.[19] He was elected to the HCDE Precinct 4, defeating Marilyn Burgess with 55.98% of the vote.[20]

 
Eric Dick receives artwork from Superintendent James Colbert created by a special needs student at HCDE

Vice-President

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In his inaugural board meeting with the HCDE, Eric Dick, the representative for Precinct 4, was elected vice president, a significant move that marked a shift in the board's political landscape to a Republican majority.[21][22] Despite his controversial election, Dick demonstrated a propensity to vote with conservative members, suggesting his potential role as a swing vote in the board's future decisions.[21][22]

Board President

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HCDE's board, unique in Texas as the only local education board elected on a partisan basis, underwent a significant shift in political majority between 2019 and 2021. This change led to an increase in innovative programming and a notable surge in collaboration, irrespective of the varied political ideologies among its members.[23] Eric Dick's presidency at HCDE resulted from political maneuvers, internal conflicts, resignations, controversies, strategic voting, and the voting minority's ultimate control, rendering the remaining board members ineffective through a self-inflicted defeat.[24]

Tenure

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As a trustee and president of the HCDE board, Dick has emphasized the department's significant role in providing education and supporting local school districts.[25] His responsibilities include overseeing the allocation of tax revenues into governmental services, with the profits generated used to assist school districts, including grants for COVID-19 related funding.[26]

HCDE to Continue Headstart

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In 2017, the HCDE board voted unanimously to continue operating its 15 Head Start preschool programs, despite some board members proposals to close or limit the department's role, serving approximately 1,300 children in North and Northeast Houston.[27][28]

HCDE's Head Start program provides a safe learning environment for newborns to 5-year-olds, supporting growth in areas like language, literacy, and social-emotional development, serving more than 1,300 students annually with free healthy meals, health screenings, and physical activities.[29]

Educational Infrastructure Enhancement

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Under Eric Dick's direction, significant improvements have been made to Harris County's educational services, with noteworthy projects including the construction of Texas's largest adult learning center, a brand new middle school, and upgrades to existing facilities.[30][31]

 
Eric Dick, the Board President of HCDE, during a board meeting.

Fortis Academy

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During Dick's tenure, HCDE approved the establishment of Fortis Academy, a public high school with a substance-use prevention program. The institution is designed to assist students who have completed rehabilitation programs, furnishing them with resources such as coaching, counseling, and academic support in a substance-free setting.[32] The school is distinctive within the Houston area as the first recovery high school of its kind, and it stands as the third public recovery school in Texas, aiming to provide a conducive environment for students to earn their diplomas while recovering from substance-use disorders.[33]

Academic and Behavior Schools West

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HCDE broke ground for the new Academic and Behavior Schools West (ABS West) campus on April 3, 2019.[34] The ABS West, a part of a larger construction project undertaken by the HCDE Construction Services, aims to provide a safe and effective learning environment for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities and challenging behaviors in the greater Houston region.[35] The ABS West campus, which first opened in 1998, provides education for students aged 5–22 with severe behavioral difficulties, emotional difficulties, and/or developmental disabilities, offering specifically designed classes to assist these students to function successfully.[36]

Response to Coronavirus Pandemic: Because We Care

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Eric Dick and HCDE co-founded an initiative to support Head Start families. Under this initiative, HCDE staff distributed approximately 400 food packages to families served by the Fifth Ward.[37] On March 27, 2020, care packages were further distributed to support approximately 1,230 families during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order.[38] As part of ongoing support, HCDE also applied for a Mental Wellness Grant of $916,085 to implement a comprehensive mental wellness response plan for staff, students, and families dealing with chronic stress due to traumatic experiences.[39]

Academic and Behavior Schools East

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Founded in 1982, the Academic and Behavior Schools East (ABS East) serves as a special education service provider for students aged 5–22 with various disorders, aiding in their transition to becoming productive society members.[40][41] HCDE initiated the construction of a new 43,000 square-foot ABS East building in 2021, featuring innovative facilities to accommodate up to 184 students.[42][43] The design of the new ABS East, shaped by its sister school ABS West, is a response to increased demand for specialized education services and promotes comprehensive learning with a low student-to-instructor ratio.[44][45][46]

Teacher Tools Initiative

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Dick co-founded the Teacher Tools Initiative, a collaboration between HCDE and the Education Foundation of Harris County (EFHC), which supports teachers in the Harris County school district. This initiative aims to provide classroom supplies to teachers at the start of the school year.[47] It provides $100 worth of classroom supplies to the first 2,000 eligible teachers through an online vendor. These supplies are then shipped directly to the teachers' school addresses.[48]

Minimum Wage of $15 an Hour

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In July 2021, the Harris County Department of Education Board unanimously approved its budget for the 2021-2022 school year, which included an increase in the minimum wage from $13.50 to $15 an hour for all hourly workers, making HCDE one of the first local education agencies to implement this increase.[49]

CASE for Kids

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HCDE has utilized an allocated budget of $1.5M from the American Rescue Plan Act to implement the County Connections Youth Summer Initiative, a program designed to address pandemic-related learning gaps by supporting enrichment programs for children aged 5–18, with an emphasis on low-income families.[50] This initiative is facilitated through the Center for Afterschool, Summer and Enrichment for Kids (CASE for Kids), a division of HCDE, that provided over $1.1M in grant funding to more than 40 nonprofit organizations that are committed to delivering enriching summer activities for children.[51] These programs were hosted in a variety of locations, including schools, community centers, and churches.[52]

CASE Debates

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In 2017 HCDE's Center for Afterschool, Summer and Enrichment for Kids (CASE for Kids) partnered with the Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL) to create CASE Debates, a program serving 300 at-risk high school students. This initiative expands upon HUDL's proven model of offering debate programs to approximately 1,000 students annually across five school districts. CASE Debates conducts in-depth seminars for students and coaches and hosts three debate tournaments each school year.[53]

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program continued providing resources like social-emotional learning, numeracy, literacy, and at-home activities through its Afterschool Zone.[54] CASE Debates also hosts an annual city-wide debate championship, facilitating opportunities for students to qualify for state tournaments and earn scholarships.[55] By incorporating World Schools Debate format, which emphasizes real-world situations and critical thinking, CASE Debates equips students with skills instrumental to their college and career paths.[56]

Texas' Largest Adult Learning Center

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Under Dick's guidance, HCDE initiated the construction of a new adult education facility at 6515 Irvington Blvd., Houston. Upon completion, this will be the largest in Texas, offering English, math, reading, writing, and workforce training programs. These programs aim to help students earn a high school equivalency diploma, pursue higher education, or enhance their career prospects with courses like certified nursing assistant and phlebotomy training, computer skills, welding fundamentals, and job placement services.[57][58]

Highpoint East

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In 2021, HCDE announced plans to develop new alternative educational facilities to address the aging infrastructure of existing buildings and take advantage of favorable low-interest rates.[59] As part of this initiative, the construction of Highpoint East Middle School was initiated, aiming to replace an existing school on the project site, covering an area of 26,528 square feet.[60] Highpoint East, a program offered by HCDE, provides a secure and structured learning environment for adjudicated and expelled youth. It focuses on fostering academic and social success, promoting self-discipline, and developing better decision-making skills in students through a low student-to-teacher ratio.[61][62]

Equine Theraphy

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Eric Dick facilitated HCDE's plans to build an Equine Therapy Center in Barrett Station to physically, emotionally, and socially support special needs students through a partnership with SIRE, providing an alternative learning environment and creating 25 new positions.[63]

Coolwood Headstart

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HCDE oversaw the construction of the new Coolwood Head Start Center in Houston, a 13,830 square feet facility capable of accommodating 120 students.[64][65] Meanwhile, the HCDE's Early Head Start program is also being expanded with construction and renovations at three existing campuses—Humble, Barrett Station, and La Porte—better to serve infants and toddlers under the age of three.[66]

Response to Ulvade

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Following the tragic May 2022 massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, HCDE ramped up its active shooter training program for Houston-area educators, prioritizing preventive measures and establishing threat assessment teams at all schools in a profound response to school safety concerns.[67]

Advertising

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Dick has used his last name in marketing strategies, leading to memorable slogans. His taglines, such as "Hire a Dick!", "Need a Lawyer? Hire a Dick!" and "I'll work hard and long for you", have been highlighted in his television and radio commercials.[68][69][70]

Dick's marketing approach has garnered public attention, with mixed opinions on its effectiveness. Some find his style humorous, while others find it questionable, reflecting the various views on lawyer advertising.[71]

He has also utilized billboards for advertising his legal services, using phrases such as "Get Dick!", "Don't let them give you the shaft", and "What's easier? Getting Dick!". These ad campaigns have further fueled discussions about his approach to marketing.[71] In 2023, his billboards received a shoutout from popular sports TikTok channel "Pete Takes", which boasts 2 million followers.[72]

Media Appearances

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From 2018 to 2019, Eric Dick hosted The Eric Dick Show on KPRC (AM), a talk radio station in Houston.[73][74] During the show, he had various notable guests.[75] Eric Dick is a frequent guest on various Houston news segments.[76]

Publications

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In 2021, Eric Dick authored a book on the history of Texas, titled Come & Take It.[77]

References

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  1. ^ Houstonians’ post-freeze cleanup should include preventive fixes for mold, Feb. 22, 2021, Houston Chronicle
  2. ^ Harvey flooding dominates At-Large 5 council runoff, Nov. 26, 2019, Houston Chronicle
  3. ^ Watson Grinding explosion|Residents still waiting for help rebuilding their homes a year later, January 22, 2021 , KHOU
  4. ^ Houston man suing the city for the right to feed the homeless, November 22, 2017, FOX 5 Atlanta
  5. ^ Feeding.Rocks Website,
  6. ^ Term Limits Lawsuit Against City Of Houston Not The First Controversy Over Ballot Language, November 23, 2015, Houston Public Media
  7. ^ Editorial: We recommend Eric Dick in GOP primary for Harris County treasurer, Feb. 3, 2022, Houston Chronicle
  8. ^ Eric Dick profile at Harris County Department of Education
  9. ^ Harris County Department of Education
  10. ^ Eric Dick LinkedIn Profile
  11. ^ Eric Dick's Professional Profile
  12. ^ Joint Election Results, November 05, 2013
  13. ^ Harris County, Texas. General and Special Elections, November 03, 2015
  14. ^ 2016 General Election Results, November 08, 2016
  15. ^ 2019 Runoff Election Results
  16. ^ Republican primary for Harris County Treasurer, March 01, 2022
  17. ^ "Press Release: Parker Afraid of Dick". Big Jolly Politics.
  18. ^ "The City of Houston's Persecution of Clyde Bryan and Eric Dick". Big Jolly Politics.
  19. ^ a b Jennings, David (February 11, 2016). "Eric Dick plays, is willing to pay". Big Jolly Politics. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  20. ^ "Harris County Department of Education, Precinct 4 General Election, 2016". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  21. ^ a b "HCDE...New Year...Old Challenges". Texas Trash Talk. 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  22. ^ a b "Harris County Department of Education special meeting". Big Jolly Politics. 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  23. ^ "Crossing the Aisle: How One Board Moved Past the R and D Behind Their Names" (PDF). Texas Association of School Boards. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  24. ^ Sumners, Don. "Don Sumners: Democrats now control the Harris County Department of Education". Big Jolly Politics. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  25. ^ "Harris County Department of Education 2020 Awards". Style Magazine.
  26. ^ "HCDE lowers tax rate, continues services to CyFair ISD". Houston Chronicle.
  27. ^ "Harris County education board stands by Head Start centers". Houston Chronicle. 2017-02-28. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  28. ^ "Harris County board votes to continue Head Start preschool programs". Chron. 2017-02-28. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  29. ^ "Head Start". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  30. ^ "HCDE to Build Adult Learning Center". Dick Law Firm.
  31. ^ "Harris County Department of Education to build new facilities, renovate administration building". Community Impact.
  32. ^ "Plans Approved for Recovery High School in Houston Area". American School & University.
  33. ^ "Fortis Academy". Harris County Department of Education.
  34. ^ "Academic and Behavior Schools West". Harris County Department of Education. 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  35. ^ "HCDE Construction Services". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  36. ^ "Academic and Behavior Schools West". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  37. ^ "Because We Care at HCDE". Dick Law Firm. 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  38. ^ "Because We Care Packages Being Distributed to HCDE Head Start Families". Harris County Department of Education. 2020-03-26. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  39. ^ "HCDE Continues Distributing Food, Masks, Hand Sanitizer". Style Magazine. 2020-05-14. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  40. ^ "Academic and Behavior Schools East". HCDE Texas. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  41. ^ "2021 Graduation Ceremony Highlights". HCDE Texas. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  42. ^ "Groundbreaking for HCDE's new Academic and Behavior School East building". Style Magazine. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  43. ^ "Middle/Senior High School Construction Project Lead". Construction Journal. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  44. ^ "Academic and Behavior Schools West (ABS West) is Harris County Department of Education's newest campus". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  45. ^ "ABS-West: New school to meet increased service demands". HCDE Texas. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  46. ^ "New school to meet increased service demands". Chron.com. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  47. ^ "HCDE Framework to Reimburse Teachers". Dick Law Firm.
  48. ^ "Tools for Teachers". Harris County Department of Education.
  49. ^ "HCDE Board approves $154 million 2021-2022 budget" (PDF). Harris County Department of Education. 2021-07-22. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  50. ^ "ARPA_HCDE: County Connections" (PDF). Harris County Recovery Plan Performance Report. 2022. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  51. ^ "2022 County Connections Award List" (PDF). Harris County Department of Education. 2022. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  52. ^ "2022 County Connections Award List" (PDF). Harris County Department of Education. 2022. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  53. ^ "Harris County Department of Education trustees approve CASE Debates to serve at-risk students". Defender Network. 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  54. ^ "Afterschool Zone". Harris County Department of Education. 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  55. ^ "CASE Debates City Championships". Harris County Department of Education. 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  56. ^ "Worlds Debate - CASE Debate". Harris County Department of Education. 2020. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  57. ^ Schafler, Kelly (2021-05-11). "Harris County Department of Education to Build New Facilities, Renovate Administration Building". Community Impact Newspaper. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  58. ^ "About Adult Education". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  59. ^ "New Harris County adult, alternative education facilities to be added as buildings age". Houston Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  60. ^ "New Construction – Highpoint East Middle School – Harris County Department of Education". Virtual Builders Exchange. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  61. ^ "Highpoint School East". Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  62. ^ "Highpoint East". Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  63. ^ Herndon, Shavonne (2022-07-25). "Harris County students will have equine therapy center in the coming years". Houston Public Media. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  64. ^ "New Construction – Coolwood Head Start Center – Harris County Department of Education". Virtual Builders Exchange. 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  65. ^ "Project Summary: Coolwood Head Start". Harris County Department of Education. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  66. ^ "Early Head Start construction expansion making progress". Harris County Department of Education. 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  67. ^ "Houston-area educators training for active shooters". KHOU. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  68. ^ "Would You Hire This Dick As Your Attorney?". Above the Law. November 13, 2014.
  69. ^ "Herman: When lawyers advertise". Austin American-Statesman. May 4, 2013.
  70. ^ "Need a Lawyer? Dick Law Firm Will Work Long & Hard For You". 95 Rock FM.
  71. ^ a b "What's your opinion on the Eric Dick commercials on radio and on the billboards?". Reddit.
  72. ^ "Pete Takes Shoutout to Eric Dick". TikTok.
  73. ^ "The Eric Dick Show Launches on KPRC". iHeartMedia.
  74. ^ "The Eric Dick Show". iHeartMedia.
  75. ^ "The Eric Dick Show". TuneIn.
  76. ^ Isiah Carey (n.d.). "Investigation into the death of Jordan Neely". Fox 26 Houston.
  77. ^ Dick, Eric. Come & Take It. Amazon.
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