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Tarrant County Courthouse
Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells announced in a press release on Thursday that Judge Robb Catalano was stepping down from his seat on Criminal District Court No. 3 to accept a senior staff position in the District Attorney’s Office.
Catalano, who has sat on the bench since 2011, has accepted the job of First Assistant Criminal District Attorney. In that position, he will provide overall management of the department and assist with strategic planning, Sorrells said.
Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Douglas A. Allen, an assistant United States attorney for the Northern District of Texas Fort Worth Division, to fill Catalano’s seat on the bench for a term set to expire on Dec. 31, 2024.
Tarrant County District Attorney's Office
Robb Catalano
“I’m excited to bring someone with Robb’s level of experience and knowledge into the District Attorney’s Office,” said Sorrells, who was sworn into office on New Year’s Day after winning election to replace the outgoing Sharen Wilson. “I want to thank him for his sacrifice in giving up his judgeship to join me and continue serving the citizens of Tarrant County.”
Catalano, a former Tarrant County and federal prosecutor, is a master fellow of the Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, a fellow of the Tarrant County Bar Foundation, and a chairman of the Tarrant County Juvenile Services Committee.
“The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office has always been a special place to me,” Catalano said. “I’m truly thankful for my experience on the bench.
“However, the chance to work with this talented group of attorneys and staff is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Catalano, 52, earned a bachelor’s in criminal justice from St. Edward’s University and a juris doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law.
He is a board member for the St. Thomas More Society.
Allen has served in the Northern District for 20 years.
During his tenure, he was detailed to Iraq, where he served as a Resident Legal Advisor in both Baghdad and Mosul, acting Department of Justice Attaché, and the Rule of Law Coordinator for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
Upon his return, he served as Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. He began his legal career as an assistant district attorney in the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.
He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Federalist Society, and the Thomas More Society. Additionally, he is a board member of the Chesterton Academy of Fort Worth. Allen received a bachelor’s and master’s in education from Baylor University and a juris doctor degree from Texas Tech University School of Law.