Greg Franklin '03 '17 is a proud graduate and supporter of the Texas A&M School of Law.
As an avid runner, Greg Franklin ’03 ’17 is accustomed to enduring a challenge. Running requires a mindset of focus, passion and strength. It is the same mindset that Franklin uses on the track that allows him to tackle the ups and downs of a law career. When it comes to running and his career, Franklin places a high value on preparedness.
“Whether going on a run or going to trial, the outcome of both comes down to how well you have prepared for the challenge,” said Franklin, a law associate at Greenberg Traurig who credits his Texas A&M University education with equipping him with important life skills. “Texas A&M gave me a strong academic foundation and student experiences that created the basis for me to have a very successful career.”
Growing up watching Aggie football, Franklin long dreamed of being an Aggie. In fact, Texas A&M was the only school he applied to. A Dallas native, he graduated from Texas A&M in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration not long before beginning a 14 year career with Bank of America. Though he enjoyed his time in the world of finance, soon a different passion came calling.
Perfect Timing
Franklin’s journey to becoming a lawyer was nontraditional. It wasn’t until 2014, when he finally decided to apply to law school, that his legal career began. His decision had been years in the making and can be traced back to his experience on his high school’s debate team. So, when Texas A&M acquired the Texas Wesleyan Law School in 2013, it was the push Franklin needed to pursue a law career.
“When the opportunity presented itself to become what I now call being a ‘double Ag,’ I could not pass that up,” Franklin said. “The timing was perfect.”
When Franklin began classes at the Texas A&M School of Law, he hit the ground running. As a staff editor of the school’s Law Review and a member of the mock trial team, Franklin’s time in law school forced him to step outside of his comfort zone and challenge himself, something he considers an important lesson. Franklin was a distinguished student, while the humble manner in which he conducted himself led his peers to elect him class speaker at the 2017 commencement ceremony.
Today, Franklin is an associate in the Dallas branch of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig. He focuses his practice on construction and financial services litigation and assists clients with finding practical and efficient ways to approach problems and disputes that threaten their businesses.
In three short years of practicing law, Franklin boasts a litany of accomplishments in his legal career. One of his more recent accomplishments was being named one of the 2020 National Black Lawyers Top 40 under 40 by The National Black Lawyers.
“It is always an honor to be recognized for your hard work,” Franklin said. “My achievements are a direct reflection of the high-quality education provided at the Texas A&M School of Law.”
Investing in a Brighter Future
The Texas A&M School of Law is preparing young lawyers not only to suceed, but also to be leaders.
Franklin loves being part of the Aggie family, so it’s not surprising that he wants to help future Aggies have access to exceptional opportunities. Franklin entered Texas A&M with a scholarship that defrayed part of the cost of his education. In thinking of future Aggies exploring possibilities for their own lives, Franklin and his wife established the Dr. Danielle R. Franklin ’02 and Gregory Franklin ’03 Scholarship. Their gift will support students pursuing a law degree with a preference for nontraditional students who have five or more years of work experience prior to starting law school.
“I chose to give back because I recognize everything the law school did for me,” said Franklin, who now also serves on the Texas A&M School of Law's Alumni Board. “The School of Law provided me with an excellent education and training that prepared me from an academic standpoint. Beyond that, my education provided practical experiences that prepared me for my law career.”
Although the law school is relatively young compared to others across the nation, Franklin is confident in its ability to continue its rise to prominence. He, along with other law school alumni, believe that competitive graduate programs like the law program will allow Texas A&M to continue to attract the best students. In the latest assessment by U.S. News & World Report, the law school ranked 60th overall, a 23-point jump from the previous year—the largest among the top 100 schools nationally. Franklin believes the law school will continue to rise in the rankings if it continues to foster a culture focused on excellence.
“Being part of one of its inaugural classes gave me the unique opportunity to see the core values of Texas A&M ingrained into the law school,” Franklin said. “I am proud to invest in the bright future I see on the horizon for the Texas A&M School of Law.”
You can support the Texas A&M School of Law with a gift of an endowment to the Texas A&M Foundation. For additional information about how to benefit the law school, contact Myke Holt, senior director of development, using the form below.
