An SMU alum was recently inaugurated as the 94th president of the Dallas Bar Association.

Born and raised in Dallas, Brian Melton has always been an SMU fan. He received his juris doctorate in 1980. Today, he regularly attends sporting events and the Tate Lecture Series.

Law was not Melton’s first career choice, though. He wanted to be a history teacher and received a history degree from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala.

During his senior year his father inspired him to get a law degree.

“[He] was involved in the community and made a difference,” Melton said.

Melton then took the LSAT and applied to SMU.

He knew that he wanted to practice law in Dallas. SMU’s reputation made the school an obvious choice for Melton.

Upon graduation, he joined his father’s practice. They later merged into a 14-lawyer firm, Shackelford, Melton & McKinley, LLP.

Melton specializes in commercial law, civil trial practice and employment law.

To have a successful law firm, it is a matter of getting together with people you respect and who want to work, Melton said.

“The bottom line is, you have to find professionals who are committed to client service,” Melton said.

During his 22 years of practicing law, Melton has not faced an actual turning point. He has gotten a gradual awareness of the broader community and has made an impact on justice-related issues, Melton said.

Melton is not the only successful Dedman School of Law alum active in the community, however.

Mark Shank, of Hughes & Luce, LLP, received a master’s degree in international and competitive law in 1984.

Shank was the DBA president in 2001 and was a member of the State Bar Board of Directors in 2002.

D Magazine named Shank one of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas,” in labor and employment law.

Betsy Whitaker, partner of Hankinson & Whitaker, LLP, is president-elect of the State Bar of Texas. Whitaker also received her juris doctorate in 1980.

Guy Harrison, a solo practitioner, is the president of the State Bar of Texas. Harrison got his JD in 1973 and a BBA in 1968.

Melton advises students to consider being a lawyer an honor.

“Being a lawyer is the greatest job in the world, if you treat it with respect it will be a very rewarding career,” Melton said.