Legal Eagles Club Networking Breakfast

Join us for our Legal Eagles Club Networking Breakfast!

Hosted by Gillian Campbell ‘18, Nate Johnson ‘11, Camie Carlock McKee ‘09, and Emmanuel Nwakibu ‘10, the Legal Eagles Club facilitates networking events and programming to connect ESD alumni and parents working in law and government.

Join the club for a networking breakfast on Thursday, November 13, from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. in the North Dining Room in the Daryl Johnston Family Dining Commons at ESD. The club is pleased to feature Taylor Smith Joeckel ‘09 and Justice Craig Smith P’09 as its keynote speakers. They will discuss ESD’s influence on their legal careers and the pursuit of public service.

Taylor Smith Joeckel ‘09 is a highly accomplished family law attorney who sees divorce not merely as an ending, but as the start of a new life for her clients. This client-centered philosophy, which focuses on opportunity over mechanics, is the driving force behind her work at Armstrong Law. She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2022-2023) and a Best Lawyers “One to Watch” (2023). Taylor’s commitment extends to the community, where she supports victims of domestic abuse through her work with The Family Place and the Genesis Women’s Shelter. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Texas Tech University, and her B.A. in English, with a minor in Communication Studies, from the University of Alabama. Her legal leadership also includes service on the Texas Young Lawyers Association board of directors. This combination of expertise, community service, and a hopeful perspective makes her a rising star in family law.

Justice Craig Smith P’09 was elected to the 5th District Court of Appeals in November 2020, following his tenure as the Presiding Judge of the 192nd Civil District Court in Dallas County since 2007. Prior to his judicial career, Justice Smith practiced as a civil trial lawyer for over 26 years. He holds the distinction of being board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both civil trial law and personal injury law. His service and expertise have been widely recognized; he was named a “Texas Super Lawyer” multiple times and received both the American Board of Trial Advocates “Judge of the Year” and the Dallas Bar Association “Pro Bono Services Judge of the Year” awards in 2008. He is also a long-time “Advocate” member and former National Director of the American Board of Trial Advocates and a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Justice Smith is a frequent lecturer on trial advocacy, procedure, and legal ethics. He earned his J.D. from Texas Tech University and his B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.