Distinguished Alumni Awards
The 2026 SMU Dedman School of Law Distinguished Alumni Awards will be held on March 5, 2026.
The Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrate graduates of SMU Dedman School of Law whose professional achievements, leadership, and service exemplify the highest ideals of the legal profession. These awards honor alumni who have made a lasting impact in their communities, their fields, and the broader legal landscape.
Each year, the law school recognizes an outstanding group of alumni whose careers reflect excellence, integrity, and a deep commitment to advancing justice.
We are proud to recognize the following 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards honorees:
The Honorable Barbara M. G. Lynn (Ret.) ’76
Partner, Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann
Recipient of the Charles O. Galvin Award for Extraordinary Service
Linda Wertheimer Hart ’65
Vice Chairman / President and CEO, Hart Group, Inc.
Bruce Keplinger ’77
Principal, Jay Daugherty Mediation & Arbitration
Erin Nealy Cox ’95
Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
The Honorable Hector Garza ’05
Judge, 195th Judicial District Court, State of Texas
Event Details:
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Arts District Mansion
2101 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75201
6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception
7:00 p.m. Dinner and Awards Presentation