Texas General Counsel Forum Leadership Institute, formerly the Forum Institute for Leadership in the Law (FILL), returns to the SMU Cox School of Business this spring for our annual six-day program. The Leadership Institute was designed by general counsel for general counsel and provides a unique management program taught by SMU Cox School of Business faculty. Each three-day session provides an intensive study of leadership, management, and corporate finance in a classroom of 25-30 general counsel, managing counsel, and rising counsel from major companies and organizations.
2020 Leadership Institute
About the Leadership Institute
Session 1: Tuesday, April 14 – Thursday, April 16
Session 2: Tuesday, May 12 – Thursday, May 14
SMU COX School of Business
Collins Executive Center
3150 Binkley Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75275
Hosted By:

2020 Pricing
Early Bird Member Price
- Before February 1, 2020
Member Price
- After February 1, 2020
Non-Members Price
- Become a Member & Save
2020 Schedule
Day 01: Tuesday, April 14, 2020
9:30 AM | Networking Breakfast | |
10:00 AM | Making Ideas Stick | Jay Carson | |
12:00 PM | Lunch | |
1:00 PM | Creativity, Innovation and Risk | Jay Carson | |
5:30 PM | Evening Networking Reception |
Day 02: Wednesday, April 15, 2020
8:00 AM | Networking Breakfast | |
8:30 AM | Manage for Success or Set-Up-To-Fail | Don Vandewalle | |
12:30 PM | Lunch | |
1:30 PM | Introduction to Financial Reporting | Greg Sommers | |
6:00 PM | Networking Dinner |
Day 03: Thursday, April 16, 2020
7:30 AM | Networking Breakfast | |
8:00 AM | Strategic Financial Statement Analysis | Hemang Desai | |
12:00 PM | Lunch | |
12:30 PM | Applied Innovation: Human Centered Design | Tim Sutton | |
3:30 PM | Dismissal |
Day 04: Tuesday, May 12, 2020
9:30 AM | Networking Breakfast | |
10:00 AM | Corporate Governance & Ethics | Hemang Desai | |
12:00 PM | Lunch | |
1:00 PM | Value Based Management | Pam Baker | |
5:30 PM | Evening Networking Reception |
Day 05: Wednesday, May 13, 2020
8:00 AM | Networking Breakfast | |
8:30 AM | Managing Through Influence | Jerry Magar | |
12:30 PM | Lunch | |
1:30 PM | Managing for Performance | Jerry Magar | |
6:00 PM | Networking Dinner |
Day 06: Thursday, May 14, 2020
7:30 AM | Networking Breakfast | |
8:00 AM | Authentic Presence | Kimberly Davis | |
12:00 PM | Lunch | |
12:30 PM | Leading in a VUCA World | Jay Carson | |
3:30 PM | Dismissal |
"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. Not only did it enhance my in-house success, it changed my career trajectory. In addition to legal oversight, the Institute contributed to my opportunities to lead other functions such as Human Resources, Culture and Corporate Communications. The Institute is unique among programs offered for in-house attorneys. Whether you are newly in-house or a seasoned professional, I recommend this program for all.”
Chris Willis
Chief People Officer and EVP Legal and Corporate Affairs, Interstate Batteries
Leadership Institute Class of 2006
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.
Hotel Lumen
6101 Hillcrest Ave.
Dallas, TX 75205
1 block from SMU, walking distance or van service
Elizabeth Jimenez
Sales Director
469-941-7952 | Elizabeth.jimenez@hotellumen.com
The Highland Dallas Hotel
5300 E. Mockingbird Lane
Dallas, TX 75206
3 Blocks from SMU, van service
LeVaughn Parker
Sales Manager
214-560-2731 | LeVaughn.parker@thehighlanddallas.com
Doubletree Hotel – Campbell Centre
8250 North Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75206
2 miles from SMU, across the highway from NorthPark Mall, van service
Chelsea Jones
Executive Meetings Mgr.
214-706-0105 | Chelsea.jones@hilton.com
Magnolia Hotel Dallas Central Park Cities
6070 North Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75206
3 Blocks from SMU, van service
Kerri Kincheloe
Dir. Sales & Marketing
469-587-3733 | kkincheloe@magnoliahotels.com