Tom Featherston, the Mills Cox Chair of Law, Recognized by Baylor University for 40 Years of Service

Professor of Law Tom Featherston Makes A Point During a Lecture

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Tom Featherston, JD ’72, the Mills Cox Chair of Law, has taught Baylor Lawyers for 40 years and counting. Featherston is a Texas icon of estate planning, trusts, and marital property law. Every trusts and estates lawyer in Texas knows the name Tom Featherston.

Through his exceptional teaching, Featherston develops an interest in estate planning and probate in students and has shaped the lives and careers of countless Baylor Lawyers. “Since around the mid-1980s, I believe I have taught every graduate of Baylor Law,” said Featherston. “I love teaching, mentoring, and watching the success of my students.”

Professor of Law Tom Featherston in his office at the Sheila and Walter Umphrey Law Center

Lawyers who did not graduate from Baylor Law learn from Featherston through his work in the State Bar of Texas (SBOT), American Bar Association (ABA), and CLE programs. He is among the most sought-after CLE speakers. He is asked to speak annually at the SBOT’s Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Course and the ABA’s Skills Training for Estate Planners. “It is rewarding to be frequently asked to speak at local, state, and national CLE programs,” he said.

“I was a student of Tom’s when he was a new faculty member, and I have been his colleague for the past 32 years,” said Professor Beth Miller, JD ‘85. “I can personally attest to the profound impact Tom has on his students as well as his significant influence on the development of the law in his area of expertise and on practitioners in that area.”

Featherston contributes extensively to the trusts and estates sections of the SBOT and ABA. He served as Trusts & Estates Editor of the ABA publication, Probate & Property, from 2000-2015 and is currently Senior Associate Editor. Rare for academics, Featherston served as the chair of the Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law (REPTL) Section of the SBOT.

“It has been particularly rewarding to take the lead in advising on and drafting important non-partisan trusts and estates law legislation in Texas over the decades,” he said. He also served as the ABA advisor to a Uniform Law Commission drafting committee.

“I stay engaged in the practicing bar through these activities, which keeps me on my toes with what students need to learn,” he said. “This is part of Baylor Law’s distinctiveness.”

One such distinction is the capstone program he and Professor Miller created for transactional law students in about 1993. “The capstones are a unique contribution to Baylor Law’s curriculum,” he said. “I serve as the partner, and the student is the associate. The best way to learn is to do.”

Professor Featherston in an undated photo, outside his office in Morrison Constitution Hall, the former home of Baylor Law.

“It’s hard to state how much Tom means to me and my career,” said Kristen Mynar, JD ‘10, of Naman Howell Smith & Lee. “Through the Wealth Transfers and Administration of Estates Capstones, we spent one hour weekly where he guided me through drafting a will and administering an estate. I also have the honor of teaching Administration of Estates when he takes a sabbatical.”

“Tom has been an outstanding teacher, mentor, and friend,” said Professor Bridget Fuselier, JD ’98. “When I started the Baylor Veterans Clinic, Tom established the estate planning framework for the Clinic. He mentors students in providing estate planning to veterans and first responders. He selflessly dedicates his time and expertise to his students and the people of Central Texas.”

“Tom is among the most acclaimed trusts and estates lawyers in the country,” said Dean Brad Toben, JD ‘77. “His impact on Baylor Law and the Bar is indelible.”

Featherston’s accolades include:

• Distinguished Probate Lawyer Lifetime Achievement Award, SBOT REPTL Section
• Terry Lee Grantham Memorial Award, Texas Bar Foundation
• Journal Award of the Texas Bar Foundation
• Outstanding Achievement in Continuing Legal Education, State Bar College
• Outstanding Baylor University Professor
• Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
• Academic Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
• Board certified in Texas Estate Planning & Probate Law—received in 1979

Featherston and his wife, Sherry, his high school sweetheart, have two daughters and three grandchildren. A third-generation Baylor Bear and second-generation Baylor Lawyer, he received his BBA from Baylor University in 1971 and his JD with highest honors from Baylor Law in 1972. He practiced law in Houston for ten years before Dean Angus McSwain approached him about joining the faculty.

“Angus McSwain and David Guinn are two of my greatest mentors,” said Featherston. “I am particularly grateful to Angus, whom our generation affectionately called ‘the Dean.’ He was my dean, professor, boss, colleague, and, most importantly, my friend. Ironically, Angus’ son, Andy, was in my first class at Baylor Law, and his grandson, Stewart, was in my class decades later. I am grateful for David Guinn, who pushed me to leave practice for teaching and for his friendship over the years.”

“The best memories of my career are the lifelong friends among former students, faculty and staff colleagues, and lawyers across Texas and the United States,” he said. “Plus, getting to share the ups, and even the downs, of the Baylor Bears with my family really has been special. Thank you, Baylor Law!”

Professor of Law Tom Featherston Receives the Outstanding Baylor University Professor in 2000 from Baylor President Sloan.

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Established in 1857, Baylor University School of Law is the oldest law school in Texas and one of the first west of the Mississippi River. It is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. With one of the lowest student-faculty ratios in the country, Baylor Law has a record of producing outstanding lawyers, many of whom decide upon a career in public service. Today the school has more than 7,800 living alumni and is proud alma mater to two governors, members or former members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, two former directors of the FBI, U.S. ambassadors, federal judges, justices of the Texas Supreme Court, and members of the Texas Legislature. In its law specialties rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranks Baylor Law’s trial advocacy program #2 in the nation. The National Jurist ranks Baylor Law as one of the "Best Schools for Practical Training," and one of the "Best Law School Facilities.” Committed to service, Baylor Law students consistently maintain one of the highest Pro Bono, public service, and community volunteerism rates in the nation and Baylor Law has received the prestigious Pro Bono Publico Award from the American Bar Association. Learn more at baylor.edu/law

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