# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001165002
**File Stem:** 0001165002-26-000012
**Filing Date:** 2026-2
**Character Count:** 27549
**Document Hash:** 799e5fcfd69c61b38e2b00781480ec0a
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001165002-26-000012.hdr.sgml**: 20260219

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001165002-26-000012

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: S-8

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 16

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260219

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260219

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20260219

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP INC
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001165002
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** INVESTMENT ADVICE [6282]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 02 Finance
- **EIN:** 752969997
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** S-8
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-293588
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26654463

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 200 CRESCENT COURT
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 1200
- **CITY:** DALLAS
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 75201
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 2147566900

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 200 CRESCENT COURT
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 1200
- **CITY:** DALLAS
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 75201

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2026

Registration No. 333-

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**Washington, D.C. 20549**

**FORM S-8**

**REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933**

**WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.**

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Delaware**<br>(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation<br>or organization) | **75-2969997**<br>(I.R.S. Employer<br>Identification No.) |
| **200 Crescent Court, Suite 1200**<br>**Dallas, Texas**<br>(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | **75201**<br>(Zip Code) |

---

**ELEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN**

(Full title of the plan)

**Brian O. Casey**

**Chief Executive Officer**

**Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.**

**200 Crescent Court, Suite 1200**

**Dallas, Texas 75201**

(Name and address of agent for service)

**(214) 756-6900**

(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

**Head of Corporate Section**

**c/o Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP**

**2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 3600**

**Dallas, Texas 75201**

**Telephone: (214) 855-8000**

**Facsimile: (214) 855-8200**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. |
| Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ |
| Non-accelerated filer 🗹 | Smaller reporting company 🗹 |
| | Emerging growth company ☐ |

---

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

------

**EXPLANATORY NOTE**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement relates solely to the registration of securities of the same class as other securities for which a registration statement on this form relating to an employee benefit plan is effective. This Registration Statement is filed for the purpose of registering 200,000 shares of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (the "Registrant") common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), reserved under the Eleventh Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering 948,100 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on August 28, 2002 (Registration Statement 333-98841); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering an additional 1,000,000 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on May 10, 2006 (Registration Statement 333-133963); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering an additional 700,000 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on July 1, 2009 (Registration Statement 333-160377); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering an additional 750,000 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on July 21, 2011 (Registration Statement 333-175696); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering an additional 500,000 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on April 18, 2013 (Registration Statement 333-188002); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering an additional 500,000 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on April 29, 2015 (Registration Statement 333-203728); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering an additional 250,000 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on May 18, 2017 (Registration Statement 333-218080); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering an additional 200,000 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on May 11, 2018 (Registration Statement 333-224886); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering 373,168 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on November 9, 2018 (Registration Statement 333-228335); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering 300,348 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on July 11, 2019 (Registration Statement 333-232595); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering 391,786 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on June 5, 2020 (Registration Statement 333-238965); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering 337,519 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on July 30, 2021 (Registration Statement 333-258305); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering 260,711 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on September 28, 2022 (Registration Statement 333-267641); the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering 491,473 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on February 21, 2024 (Registration Statement 333-277220); and the Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering 548,146 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, filed on February 18, 2025 (Registration Statement 333-285065) are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement, except as amended hereby. Pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8, all information that has been incorporated by reference from the original registration statement is not repeated in this Registration Statement.

**PART II**

**INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT**

**Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.**

The following documents, previously filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Commission on March 5, 2025;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025, filed with the Commission on April 30, 2025;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2025, filed with the Commission on August 8, 2025;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2025, filed with the Commission on October 30, 2025;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Current reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 6, 2025, May 5, 2025, and June 3, 2025; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 (Amendment No. 5) filed with the Commission on June 6, 2002.

All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities registered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement modifies or supersedes such statement.

Nothing in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished by us but not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Items 2.02, 7.01 or 9.01 of Form S-K.

------

**Item 8. Exhibits.**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit**<br>**Number** |<br>**Description of Exhibit** |
| 3.1.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from the Form S-8 filed with the Commission on September 28, 2022) |
| 3.1.2 | First Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc., as amended (incorporated by reference from the Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on March 26, 2024) |
| 3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 2, 2021) |
| 4.1 | Form of Certificate Evidencing Common Stock (incorporated by reference from the Form 10-12B filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002) |
| 4.2 | Eleventh Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from the Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on March 12, 2025) |
| 5.1\* | Opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP |
| 23.1\* | Consent of BDO USA, P.C. |
| 23.2\* | Consent of Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto) |
| 24.1\* | Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this Registration Statement) |
| 107\* | Filing fee table |
| <br>Filed herewith. | <br>Filed herewith. |

---

**SIGNATURES**

*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on February 19, 2026.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. |
| By: | /s/ Brian O. Casey |
|  | Brian O. Casey |
|  | Chief Executive Officer |

---

------

**POWER OF ATTORNEY**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Brian O. Casey and Murray Forbes III, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering covered by this Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or their substitute may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Signature | Title | Date |
| /s/ Brian O. Casey | Chief Executive Officer and Director | February 19, 2026 |
| Brian O. Casey | (Principal Executive Officer) |  |
| /s/ Murray Forbes III | Chief Financial Officer | February 19, 2026 |
| Murray Forbes III | (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |  |
| /s/ Randy A. Bowman | Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director | February 19, 2026 |
| Randy A. Bowman |  |  |
| /s/ Ellen H. Masterson | Director | February 19, 2026 |
| Ellen H. Masterson |  |  |
| /s/ Geoffrey R. Norman | Director | February 19, 2026 |
| Geoffrey R. Norman |  |  |
| /s/ J. Hale Hoak | Director | February 19, 2026 |
| J. Hale Hoak |  |  |
| /s/ Katherine Murray | Director | February 19, 2026 |
| Katherine Murray |  |  |
| /s/ Janice Ryan | Director | February 19, 2026 |
| Janice Ryan |  |  |

---

------

**EXHIBIT INDEX**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit**<br>**Number** |<br>**Description of Exhibit** |
| 3.1.1 | <u>[Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from the Form S-8 filed with the Commission on September 28, 2022)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1165002/000116500222000098/s-8september2022.htm)</u> |
| 3.1.2 | <u>[First Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc., as amended (incorporated by reference from the Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on March 26, 2024)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1165002/000116500224000032/a2024proxy.htm)</u> |
| 3.2 | <u>[Amended and Restated Bylaws of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference from the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 2, 2021)](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1165002/000119312512182024/d339295dex31.htm)</u> |
| 4.1 | <u>[Form of Certificate Evidencing Common Stock (incorporated by reference from the Form 10-12B filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002)](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1165002/000093066102001393/dex41.txt)</u> |
| 4.2 | <u>[Eleventh](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001165002/000116500225000029/whg-20250312.htm)[Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from the Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on March](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001165002/000116500225000029/whg-20250312.htm)[12, 2](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001165002/000116500225000029/whg-20250312.htm)[0](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001165002/000116500225000029/whg-20250312.htm)[2](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001165002/000116500225000029/whg-20250312.htm)[5](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001165002/000116500225000029/whg-20250312.htm)[)](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001165002/000116500225000029/whg-20250312.htm)</u> |
| 5.1\* | <u>[Opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP](nrfopinionfebruary2026.htm)</u> |
| 23.1\* | <u>[Consent of BDO USA, P.C.](february2026s-8consent.htm)</u> |
| 23.2\* | <u>[Consent of Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto)](nrfopinionfebruary2026.htm)</u> |
| 24.1\* | <u>[Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this Registration Statement)](#i304fba31f5a3404c98b954a640b371bd_7)</u> |
| 107\* | <u>[Filing fee table](whgfilingfeesfeb2026.htm)</u> |
| <br>Filed herewith. | <br>Filed herewith. |

---

## Ex-Filing

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? EX-FILING FEES

---

| |
|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Calculation of Filing Fee Tables**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **S-8**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP INC**  |

---

---

| | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Security Type**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Security Class Title**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Fee Calculation Rule**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Amount Registered**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Maximum Aggregate Offering Price**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Fee Rate**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Amount of Registration Fee**  |
| 1 | Equity | Common Stock | Other | 200000 | $17.93 | $3586000.00 | 0.0001381 | $495.23 |
| Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: |  | $3586000.00  |  | $495.23  |
| Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  |  |  |  | $0.00  |
| Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  |  |  |  | $495.23  |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Offering Note** <br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <sup>1</sup> (a) This Form S-8 Registration Statement registers 200,000 shares of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.'s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), reserved under the Eleventh Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). (b) If, as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions, the number of securities purported to be registered on this Registration Statement changes, the provisions of Rule 416 shall apply to this Registration Statement, and this Registration Statement shall be deemed to cover the additional securities resulting from the split of, or dividend on, the securities covered by this Registration Statement. (c) Estimated in accordance with Rules 457(c) and 457(h) solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. The maximum price per Security and the maximum aggregate offering price are based on the average of the $18.17 (high) and $17.69 (low) sale price of the Registrant's common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on February 13, 2026, which date is within five business days prior to filing this Registration Statement.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| | |
| **Rule 457(p)** | **Rule 457(p)** |
| Fee Offset Claims | N/A |
| Fee Offset Sources | N/A |

---

## Exhibit 5.1

![nrflogoa08a.jpg](nrflogoa08a.jpg)

---

| |
|:---|
| February 19, 2026 |
| Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. |
| 200 Crescent Court, Suite 1200 |
| Dallas Texas 75201 |

---

Re:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Westwood Holdings Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company")

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel for the Company in connection with the Company's registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of 200,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, which may be issued upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Eleventh Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), under the Company's registration statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on February 19, 2026.

In reaching the opinions set forth herein, we have examined and are familiar with originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents and records of the Company and such statutes, regulations and other instruments as we deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion, including (i) the Registration Statement, (ii) the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company, as amended, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (iii) the amended and restated bylaws of the Company, (iv) certain minutes of meetings of, and resolutions adopted by, the Board of Directors of the Company and the Company's stockholders with respect to the Plan, (v) a copy of the votes taken at the stockholders meeting on April 30, 2025 approving the amendment to the Plan, including by increasing the number of shares covered by the Plan to 6,948,100 and (vi) the Plan.

We have assumed (i) that all information contained in all documents we reviewed is true, correct and complete, (ii) that all signatures on all documents we reviewed are genuine, (iii) that all documents submitted to us as originals are true and complete, (iv) that all documents submitted to us as copies are true and complete copies of the originals thereof, (v) that each natural person signing any document reviewed by us had the legal capacity to do so, (vi) that each natural person signing in a representative capacity any document reviewed by us had authority to sign in such capacity, (vii) that the full consideration for each Share, as set forth in the Plan, shall be paid to the Company and in no event shall be less than the par value of such Share, and (viii) compliance in the future with the terms of the Plan by the Company and its employees, officers, the Board of Directors and any committees or individuals appointed to administer the Plan.

Based on the foregoing, and having due regard for the legal considerations we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when offered, issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Plan, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is a limited liability partnership registered under the laws of Texas.

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP and Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc are separate legal entities and all of them are members of Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss verein. Norton Rose Fulbright Verein helps coordinate the activities of the members but does not itself provide legal services to clients. Details of each entity, with certain regulatory information, are available at nortonrosefulbright.com.

------

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. | ![nrflogoa08a.jpg](nrflogoa08a.jpg) |
| Page 2 | ![nrflogoa08a.jpg](nrflogoa08a.jpg) |

---

This opinion is limited in all respects to the laws of the State of Delaware and the federal securities laws of the United States. Insofar as the opinions expressed herein relate to matters governed by Delaware law, we have based such opinions exclusively upon a reading of applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the Delaware General Corporation Law.

This opinion letter may be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours, <br><u>/s/ Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP</u><br>Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP<br>

## Exhibit 23.1

![](february 2026s-8consent001.jpg)

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BDO USA, P.C., a Virginia professional corporation, is the U.S. member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms. Tel: 214-969-7007 Fax: 214-953-0722 www.bdo.com 600 North Pearl, Suite 1700 Dallas, TX 75201 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated March 5, 2025, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (the "Company") appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Dallas, Texas February 19, 2026

------