Read more about the Texas Bar Foundation Awards.
Texas Bar Foundation Honors SMU Law Alums Harriet E. Miers and Frank Branson
Congratulations to Harriet E. Miers and Frank L. Branson Recently named 2021 Texas Bar Foundation Award recipients
Each year, the Texas Bar Foundation honors those who exemplify the highest standards of the legal profession. SMU Dedman School of Law is proud that two of our alums will be honored this year - Harriet E. Miers '70 will receive the Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award and Frank L. Branson J.D. '69 LL.M. '74 will recieve the Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award.
Below is a description of each award. Honorees are recognized each year at the Texas Bar Foundation Annual Dinner to be held in June 2021.
Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award
Harriet E. Miers
The Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award was the first award established by the Texas Bar Foundation in 1974. The award recognizes attorneys whose practice spanned fifty years or more, as of January 1st of the year of the award, and who adhere to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession and service to the public.
Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award
Frank L. Branson
The firm of Beck Redden LLP established the award in honor and memory of Mr. Secrest, a gifted trial lawyer and a founding partner of the firm. The award recognizes a trial lawyer who, in his or her practice, has demonstrated high ethical and moral standards and has demonstrated exceptional professional conduct, thus enhancing the image of the trial lawyer.