Bell Nunnally's Forrest Smith Honored with General Counsel Forum Chapter's Lifetime Achievement Award

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 05, 2011 (Press-News.org) Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP former Partner Forrest Smith is honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Chapter of the Texas General Counsel Forum. To be announced Oct.4 at the annual Robert H. Dedman Award for Ethics and Law Dinner at the Belo Mansion in Dallas, the organization also has named its annual law scholarship for Smith.

Smith retired from Bell Nunnally in 2007 after 13 years with the firm and 55 years of practice. He remains active in private practice and as a mediator. Founder of the Texas General Counsel Forum and a long-time supporter and contributor to the General Counsel Forum's DFW Chapter, Smith's efforts led to the creation of the Chapter's annual award for ethics and its accompanying event, the Dedman Dinner, named after the late Dallas businessman and philanthropist Robert H. Dedman. The dinner's proceeds fund an annual student scholarship, now named in Smith's honor, which is awarded to a student currently enrolled at Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law.

"In addition to being an outstanding individual, Forrest has proven to be a true asset to our firm and to the greater Dallas/Fort Worth community. We are pleased to make a contribution the scholarship fund that has been hugely important to Forrest and to which he has dedicated tremendous time and energy over many years. Forrest has created an amazing legacy and serves as a role model for us all," said James Skochdopole, managing partner of Bell Nunnally.

In addition to his work with and support of the DFW Chapter of the General Counsel Forum, Smith sits on the board of directors for numerous charitable and civic organizations in the greater DFW region, including serving as chairman of the Dallas Better Business Bureau and the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. He is also the founder of the Russell Perry Free Enterprise Awards for Dallas Baptist University and the Legends of Service Award function for Dallas Life.

Smith is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, where he earned both an LL.M. and a J.D., and of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Tex., where he earned a B.A. Smith and his wife, Martha, are the proud parents of five daughters and the grandparents of eight grandchildren.

About the General Counsel Forum
The General Counsel Forum, with chapters in Georgia (Atlanta) and Texas (Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston), serves a membership of general counsels and senior managing counsels, including more than 550 individuals representing more than 300 companies and organizations. The chapters host networking and educational events throughout the country and are underwritten by law firms and legal product and service providers.

About Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP
Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP is a premier full-service law firm serving a national client base and dedicated to delivering the highest quality legal services to clients through a full knowledge of their objectives. The firm is one of the 50 largest in Texas and has repeatedly been named a "Go-To" law firm for America's largest companies in Corporate Counsel magazine. For more information, please visit http://www.bellnunnally.com.

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