Texas A&M University School of Law was presented the Fort Worth Business Press 2013 Smart Moves Award at a formal reception, Wednesday night, Nov. 13, at the newly-opened Sundance Square Pavilion in downtown Fort Worth. 
Nick S. Karanges, publisher of the Fort Worth Business Press; Mike Barber, Fort Worth area president of Capital One Bank; Aric Short, interim dean and professor of law at Texas A&M University School of Law; and Dee J. Kelly Jr., managing partner of Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP
- photo courtesy of Kenneth Perkins, The Fort Worth Business Press

Smart Moves, an event organized by the Fort Worth Business Press, honored area businesses who have made strides to improve or expand their industry. The award recognizes 10 local businesses for success, growth, and smart moves over the past year. Sponsored by Capital One Bank and Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP, the businesses are also featured in a 20-page special insert in the Nov. 18-24 issue of the Fort Worth Business Press.

“We’re delighted to be named to this year’s Fort Worth Business Press Smart Moves list. In this historical year as Texas A&M University School of Law, we are honored to be recognized for our innovation and progress. I am tremendously proud of our academic program, which emphasizes critical thinking, effective communication and professionalism,” Aric Short, interim dean of Texas A&M University School of Law, said.

“Our institution has seen great growth and development in our short 24 year history, and now, as part of a comprehensive Tier One research institution with a decades-long commitment to excellence in the classroom and in the community, we are excited to build upon the foundation of our past successes.”

Texas A&M University School of Law is committed to providing its students with the strong theoretical foundation and practical lawyering skills necessary to traverse the dynamic legal landscape of the 21st century. The law school pursues its mission of excellence through outstanding teaching and scholarship, the development of innovative academic and experiential learning programs, and a commitment to public service and community outreach. To date, Texas A&M law students have provided more than 120,000 hours of pro bono legal services which equates to more than $2.4 million in total legal services given to the community. 

The law school prides itself on its ability to prepare students for the demands of the legal profession through rigorous coursework, specialized certificate programs, externship opportunities, and a multitude of practical training centers and clinics designed to give the individual student the most comprehensive training available. One example of our educational approach is the Center for Intellectual Property (CLIP), an integrated legal educational center designed to give law students an in-depth understanding of intellectual property law. CLIP’s core curriculum which combines theoretical learning, clinical training and community service, enables our students to interact and learn from the best and the brightest in the field. 

“It is my pleasure to lead such a talented group of faculty and staff as we move into a new era for our law school, one of great growth and promise as we anticipate collaborative educational programs and developments with Texas A&M University. In our short three months as Texas A&M University School of Law, we have already planned to debut an integrated J.D./engineering program in spring 2014. We greatly appreciate Fort Worth’s support as we work to transform legal education,” Short said.

Carolina Beverage, Leading Edge Aviation Services and Sundance Square are among the other awardees included in the 2013 list.  Texas A&M School of Law was the only educational institution honored.