April 14-15, 2026
Texas General Counsel Forum is proud to offer a series of exclusive leadership programs in partnership with the SMU Cox School of Business that are designed to develop in-house legal leaders and teach what you never learned in law school. Through a rigorous curriculum of high-level learnings and interactive sessions, participants can acquire the skills necessary to navigate today’s complex corporate landscape.
Leadership Institute is a transformative six-day program led by renowned faculty from SMU Cox School of Business, this intensive program combines academic rigor with practical insights. Participants gain a deep understanding of business strategy, financial acumen and leadership best practices, empowering them to drive organizational success.
Advanced Leadership Institute takes it to the next level. The Advanced Leadership institute is an intensive, two-day program designed to level up your leadership and enable general counsels to step beyond traditional legal boundaries and embrace their role as strategic leaders and business partners.
2026 Pricing
Early Bird Forum Member Price
$1,400per person
- Before March 10, 2026
Forum Member Price
$1,600per person
- After March 10, 2026
Non-Member Price
$2,000per person
- Become a Forum Member & Save
Join a select cohort of your peers for this transformative experience, designed to provide the tools and confidence you need to excel at the highest level of corporate leadership.
2026 Program Benefits
- 12.5 CLE credit hours
- All study & classroom materials
- Certificate of completion
- Lunch, dinner, continental breakfast & refreshments
- Attendee directory
Strategic Decision-Making
Learn to align legal strategy with core business objectives, positioning yourself as a crucial thought partner to senior leadership.
Enhanced Business Acumen
Master the art of influencing outcomes, managing crises, and driving innovation to deliver measurable organizational value.
Leadership and Resilience
Develop the emotional intelligence and communication skills needed to lead a high-performing legal department, manage change effectively, and build resilient teams.
2026 Schedule
Tuesday, April 14
Session 1: Leading in a Changing Environment
(6.25 CLE Credit Hours)
| 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Agile Leadership: Peak Performance in a Changing Legal and Business Environment – Part I Dr. Chris Bray |
| 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM | Lunch |
| 1:15 PM - 5:00 PM | Agile Leadership: Peak Performance in a Changing Legal and Business Environment – Part II Dr. Chris Bray |
| 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Networking & Dinner at Ziziki's |
Wednesday, April 15
Session 2: Economic Factors at Play Today
(6.25 CLE Credit Hours)
| 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Macroeconomics, Uncertainty & Strategic Decision-Making: A Global View for Legal Leaders Dr. Mike Davis |
| 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM | Lunch |
| 12:15 PM - 3:00 PM | Bringing Macroeconomics Home to Texas: The Impact of Y'all Street Dr. Shane Goodwin |
Agile Leadership: Peak Performance in a Changing Legal and Business Environment
In today’s complex and volatile corporate landscape, traditional leadership models are insufficient. The increasing speed of change and global uncertainty necessitates an “Agile Leadership” approach for legal professionals. This powerful session explores how legal leaders can effectively navigate and thrive during periods of rapid change and crisis. We focus on essential competencies, including strategic communication, rapid decision-making under pressure, and fostering adaptability within the legal department. The course provides practical tools for managing stress, building personal resilience, and ensuring sustained peak performance while leading a team through chaotic environments. This course transforms legal experts into resilient, strategic C-suite partners.
Key Learning Objectives:
Analyze the core principles of Agile Leadership and apply them to legal strategy alignment and team management during periods of change.
Develop enhanced decision-making frameworks to respond effectively and rapidly to unforeseen business and regulatory crises.
Implement communication strategies that maintain team morale and organizational clarity in a chaotic environment.
Acquire practical, evidence-based tools for stress management and building personal and team resilience to sustain peak professional performance.
Macroeconomics, Uncertainty & Strategic Decision-Making: A Global View for Legal Leaders
Legal leaders must move beyond traditional strategy to become influential C-suite partners. This engaging session provides a high-level, global perspective on major economic forces—from trade policy to demographic shifts. Led by SMU Cox Professor Michael Davis, the course helps participants translate complex economic data into practical strategic insights for risk assessment, resource allocation, and critical business decisions.
Key Learning Objectives:
Analyze global macroeconomic forces (e.g., inflation, trade policy) and their direct impact on the corporate legal and risk landscape.
Translate complex economic indicators into clear, actionable strategic priorities for the legal department.
Develop an enhanced framework for proactively assessing economic uncertainty and positioning the organization for sustained resilience.
Acquire advanced financial literacy to communicate business risks and opportunities effectively with the CEO and Board.
Bringing Macroeconomics Home to Texas: The Impact of Y’all Street
Texas has solidified its position as a global economic leader, driven by unique state policies, energy markets, and demographic shifts. This session, taught by Dr. Shane Goodwin, Executive Director of the SMU Corporate Governance Initiative, provides legal and finance professionals with a deep-dive analysis of the macroeconomic policies shaping Texas industry. We will explore the critical implications of major state initiatives, including the formation of the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE) and the emergence of “Y’all Street” in Dallas, and what these developments mean for corporate strategy, regulation, and capital markets within the state.
Key Learning Objectives:
Analyze current Texas economic policies and their direct influence on local industries, legal frameworks, and business opportunities.
Evaluate the regulatory and financial significance of the Texas Stock Exchange and its anticipated role in U.S. capital markets.
Identify key macroeconomic indicators specific to the Texas economy (e.g., population growth, energy market stability) that influence legal and investment decisions.
Understand the emergence and implications of “Y’all Street” as a new financial hub and its impact on the corporate legal landscape in Dallas and across Texas.
“Legal leaders today face unprecedented complexity and volatility. Success requires more than legal acumen—it demands strategic insight, financial literacy, and the ability to lead through change. I’ve attended the Leadership Institute, and it provides an exceptional foundation for these skills. The Advanced Leadership Institute builds on that by tackling critical topics such as resilience, macroeconomic trends, and agile leadership. For any legal executive committed to thriving in the modern business environment, this program is an invaluable investment.”
Kelvin Sellers
General Counsel at FullSpeed Automotive
Leadership Institute Alumnus
"The Institute greatly enhanced my in-house business effectiveness. The small, interactive classes, taught by top-notch MBA faculty, helped me focus on legal issues through both a business and leadership lens."
Chris Willis
Chief People & Administrative Officer at PrimeSource Building Products
Leadership Institute Chair
Hotel Accommodations
The following hotels offer discounted rates to individuals attending SMU and/or Cox events. Please inquire about SMU rates, availability, and transportation options with the appropriate reservations desk.
The Highland Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton
Address: 5300 E Mockingbird Ln
Dallas, TX 75206
Phone: (214) 520-7969
Cancellation Policy
All payments are non-refundable. Fees must be paid in full to reserve a place in the current Leadership Institute. If you cannot attend, you may send a substitute or attend a future Leadership Institute. In the event Texas General Counsel Forum has to cancel or postpone the event, your payment will be fully refunded.
2026 Sponsors
