Legal scholar Joseph W. McKnight to receive
honorary Doctor of Laws degree May 17

Nationally respected legal scholar and SMU Law Professor Joseph W. McKnight will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from SMU as part of the University's 99th Commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2014, in Moody Coliseum.

Joseph W. McKnight

McKnight has made historic contributions to scholarship in legal history and to law reform in Texas. He retires this year from SMU’s law faculty after serving for six decades.

The author of six books, he directed the Texas Family Code project, which achieved important reforms, and was principal drafter of the Texas Matrimonial Property Act, recognizing property rights of married women. For his dedicated service to SMU, his distinguished scholarship and his leadership in the legal community, the University will confer upon McKnight the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

McKnight will be featured in a symposium from 3-5 p.m. Thursday, May 15, in the Underwood Law Library of SMU’s Dedman School of Law, 6550 Hillcrest Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

“A Celebration of Joseph Webb McKnight, his Contributions to Texas Law, to Legal History, and to the SMU Dedman School of Law,” will include:

• Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht
    
• Former Chief Justice for the Fifth District Court of Appeals Linda B. Thomas
      
• Josiah M. Daniel, III, Esq., of the law firm of Vinson & Elkins
      
• Peter Winship, the James Cleo Thompson, Sr. Professor of Law in the Dedman School of Law.

Dedman Law Interim Dean Julie Forrester will serve as emcee for the event.