John Minton was recently awarded the 2006 Justinian Award by the Smith County Bar Association at the annual Law Day Luncheon. The Justinian Award is the highest honor given each year by the Bar Association. The award for professional excellence goes to an attorney who exemplifies integrity, leadership, service to the community, and service to the legal profession.

This much-deserved recognition by the Bar coincides with Mr. Mintons 50^th Anniversary as a member of the State Bar of Texas.  The Justinian Award joins a list of major honors he has received for outstanding accomplishments during his career.

Mr. Minton was born in Hemphill, Texasin 1934. He attended Baylor University and received his undergraduate degree in 1954. He attended Baylor Law School and graduated cum laude in 1956. Upon earning his LL.B., Mr. Minton started his legal career by working in the Texas Attorney General s office for several years. He began the private practice of law after making Tyler, Texas his home.

Along with this prestigious award, some of his numerous accomplishments and recognitions are:

• Former President of the Smith County Bar Association;
• Member of the American Adjudicature Society;
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers;
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates;
• Member, State Bar of Texas Foundation;
• Former President and Member Baylor Law Alumni Association;
• Baylor Lawyer of the Year 1981; and
• Cases Editor, Baylor Law Review.

For many years, Mr. Minton has been an active supporter of his alma mater, Baylor University. He was a trustee of Baylor University from 1979 to 1988. He was appointed to the Baylor University Board of Regents in 2004, and is currently serving on the Board. He was a member and also served as Chairman of the Baylor University Development Council. He is also a charter member of the Baylor University Presidents Club.

Mr. Minton is active in the Tyler community.  He is a member and former president of the Tyler Rotary Club. He is a member and former chairman of the Tyler Parks and Recreation Board, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Tyler Junior College Foundation.  He serves on the Board of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, and is a member and former president of the Willow Brook Country Club. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for Rex-Hide Industries, Inc.

Active in the Smith County medical community, Mr. Minton is a former director of the East Texas Medical Center Specialty Hospital, and a former director of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System. He is on the Board of Trustees of the Texas Chest Foundation, and a former member of the Human Subjects Committee of the University of Texas Health Science Center in Tyler, Texas. In 2003, he helped with the Bethesda Project, established by local churches and healthcare providers to offer health services to the indigent.

Mr. Minton is a member of First Baptist Church of Tyler.  He teaches an Adult Sunday School Class, and is a former chairman of the Board of Deacons, and a former chairman of the Finance Committee.