The Hilltop Forum: An Emerging Thought Leader in Corporate Governance

Rooted in the values of SMU, The Hilltop Forum highlights interdisciplinary scholarship, policy insights, and practical perspectives on corporate governance from SMU, Dallas and beyond. We invite you to read, contribute, and engage.

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Texas is on the rise as a national hub for corporate governance innovation

With the launch of the Texas Stock Exchange (), the establishment of the , and a growing focus on corporate law reform, the state is uniquely positioned to lead the next chapter in business and legal integration. At the forefront of this momentum is the SMU Corporate Governance Initiative—a collaborative effort between the SMU Cox School of Business and Dedman School of Law. This initiative aims to shape the future of corporate governance through rigorous scholarship, practical insight, and real-world engagement.

Rooted in SMU values and powered by Dallas’ dynamic business environment, the Initiative will focus on:

  • Groundbreaking interdisciplinary research
  • Executive and director education programs
  • A living knowledge hub through our governance blog
  • Deep dives into key areas like M&A, private equity, family enterprise, and compliance
  • Insightful policy papers and public commentary
  • Student-driven research and learning opportunities 

The Hilltop Forum serves as the central platform for this work—connecting scholars, executives, practitioners, and students in a shared conversation about governance, leadership, and accountability. Industry leaders and alumni are already rallying around this effort, eager to shape a more ethical, effective corporate future from right here in Texas. 

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What Does the Inaugural Texas Business Court Ruling Mean for Corporate Governance?

Texas’ Business Court affirms contractual freedom in corporate governance, upholding drag-along rights and fiduciary duty waivers—Primexx signals speed, certainty, and enforceability in partnership disputes.

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Panelists at Healthcare conference

Submission Guidelines

Contributors are encouraged to bring forward original, thoughtful perspectives that inspire conversation and reflect a commitment to respectful, informed dialogue.

To submit, follow the guidelines below and email your submission to communications@smu.edu.

Guidelines:

  • Tone: Insightful, accessible, and professional. Disagreement is welcome — incivility is not.
  • Voice: First- or third-person; expert and reflective. Consider your audience to include business and legal professionals, elected officials, academics, and students.
  • Style: All submissions should follow AP Style and be edited for clarity, structure, and grammar.
  • Length: 600–1,200 words preferred for most commentaries. Longer-form essays may be considered.
  • Citations: When referencing data, research, or outside content, hyperlink to sources or include citations where appropriate.
  • Topics: Governance, finance, leadership, boardroom trends, business ethics, policy developments, and perspectives on the modern corporation.

We aim to uphold the SMU Cox pillars of rigor, relevance, and impact in every piece we publish.

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