SMU Dedman School of Law has been named a recipient of the 2017 E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award, bestowed annually by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Professionalism. Established in 1991, the award honors excellence and innovation in professionalism programs led by law schools and other organizations.
SMU Dedman School of Law’s flagship Professionalism Initiative is aimed at developing practice-ready, competent and thoughtful lawyers. “Professionalism is a core component of learning at SMU Law, incorporated into the first-year curriculum through a series of required programs,” said Jennifer Collins, Judge James Noel Dean and Professor of Law at SMU Dedman School of Law. “Through our Inns of Court program, the Mustang Exchange mentoring program and the Public Service program, the professionalism initiative is designed to ensure that SMU graduates are ethical, compassionate attorneys committed to civility, public service and zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients.”
The Inns of Court program is sponsored by Haynes and Boone, LLP. The program connects new students with faculty, career advisors, student leaders and alumni for a community experience that extends throughout their time at the school and beyond graduation. The program provides valuable programing with a focus on career and professional development, academic advising, alumni connections, student affairs, diversity and inclusion, and public service.
“This firm has always sought to hire lawyers who are not only highly skilled but who exhibit high character and a commitment to public service,” said Haynes and Boone Managing Partner Tim Powers. “We are thrilled to support a program like the Inns of Court that is working to develop lawyers in that mold.”
The ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism called SMU’s Professionalism Initiative an exemplary and innovative approach “to preparing qualified students for a life in the law by immersing them in experiential learning and exposing them to exceptional professional development resources and role models.”
SMU will receive the award on August 11 in New York, in conjunction with the ABA Annual Meeting.