Kirk Watson To Speak At Baylor Law Graduation April 30

by Alan Hunt

Former Austin mayor and Baylor law graduate Kirk Watson will give the keynote address at Baylor Law School's commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 30, in the Jones Concert Hall at the McCrary Music Building.
Watson, who was selected by the graduating class of 59 students to deliver the commencement address, is a 1981 Baylor law graduate. He graduated first in his law school class and served as Editor-In-Chief of the Baylor Law Review. First elected Austin Mayor in 1997, he was re-elected in 2000 with a record 84 percent of the vote. During his terms of office, Forbes and Fortune magazines named Austin the best city and best place for business in America. Texas Monthly Biz magazine named him best mayor in Texas for business. He currently serves as chair of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.
A leader in the legal profession, Watson served as president of the Texas Young Lawyers Association in 1990-91 and he served on the State Bar of Texas Executive Committee from 1989-1992. In 1994, he was named the Outstanding Young Lawyer of Texas, and he was named Baylor Young Lawyer of the Year in 1996. He is a founding partner of the Austin law firm of Watson Bishop London Brophy, P.C.
Diplomas will be presented during the commencement program by Law Dean Brad Toben, the Governor Bill and Vara Faye Daniel Professor of Law, assisted by Leah W. Jackson, professor of law and associate dean.
Hooding the graduates will be Gerald R. Powell, who serves as the Abner V. McCall Professor of Evidence, and William D. Underwood, the Leon Jaworski Professor of Practice and Procedure and Master Teacher. The invocation will be given by Melissa A. Essary, professor of law.
After the ceremony, a reception for the graduates and their guests will be hosted by the Baylor Law Alumni Association at the Sheila and Walter Umphrey Law Center.