Corporate Counsel Awards

Outstanding General Counsel or Chief Legal Officer

Recognizes outstanding general counsels (or highest attorneys for their companies) in the North Texas area, based significantly on performance from June 2024 to May 2025. Areas of performance might include noteworthy achievements with respect to a significant transaction, resolution of material litigation, law department management, mentoring other lawyers, demonstration of integrity, pro-bono work, mentorship, or professional development. (Awards will be given for various sizes of legal departments.)

Outstanding Deputy General Counsel/Associate General Counsel

Recognizes outstanding deputy GCs and associate GCs in the North Texas area, based significantly on performance from June 2024 to May 2025. Areas of performance might include noteworthy achievements with respect to a significant transaction, resolution of material litigation, law department management, mentoring other lawyers, demonstration of integrity, pro-bono work, mentorship, or professional development. (Awards will be given for various sizes of legal departments.)

Outstanding In-House Counsel

Recognizes outstanding in-house counsels in the North Texas area, based significantly on performance from June 2024 to May 2025. Areas of performance might include noteworthy achievements with respect to a significant transaction, resolution of material litigation, law department management, mentoring other lawyers, demonstration of integrity, pro-bono work, mentorship, or professional development.

*NEW* Legal Innovator of the Year

Honors an in-house attorney who introduced game-changing legal processes, technologies, or strategies that improved operational efficiency, compliance, or risk mitigation.

*NEW* Dealmaker of the Year

Recognizes an in-house attorney who played a key legal and strategic role in a transformative transaction, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, etc.

Outstanding Up-and-Comer

(Maximum of five years of in-house experience, as of May 2025.)

Recognizes excellence among emerging corporate counsels in the North Texas area. Areas of performance might include noteworthy achievements with respect to a significant transaction, resolution of material litigation, mentoring other lawyers, demonstration of integrity, pro-bono work, or professional development.

Champion of Diversity Award

Recognizes a general counsel’s efforts to promote ethnic and gender inclusion in their legal departments through diversity initiatives and practices.

Outstanding Community Service

Recognizes in-house attorneys for their community service activities, especially during the period of June 2024 to May 2025. This might include providing pro-bono legal services, mentorship, volunteering, or other involvement in religious, educational, charitable, or cultural activities that serve to improve the quality of life in the North Texas area.

Legacy Award

Recognizing a corporate attorney’s achievements and impact during his or her long tenure in the C-Suite.

*NEW* Excellence in Crisis Management

Honors a legal leader who successfully navigated their company through a major crisis, managing legal risk, communications, and operational integrity.

*NEW* Legal Department or Team of the Year

Recognizes legal departments or teams that demonstrate exceptional teamwork, performance, and innovation in service of their company’s mission and strategy.

*NEW* Best Collaboration with Outside Counsel

Honors a strong and effective partnership between in-house and outside counsel that led to outstanding legal or business results.