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Neal Newman

Professor of Law

 Publications 

Neal Newman

“Law is simply the backdrop. Yes, you are a lawyer. But to be most effective, you need to think of yourself not just as a lawyer but as a problem solver. The law is just one of a number of possible tools at your disposal to resolve problems, and help your clients achieve their goals.”

Get to Know Neal Newman

What drew you to the law?

In undergrad I earned an accounting degree. While I was there, a lot of my fellow classmates had plans of going on to law school. I thought that was cliché. But when I started my career as a public accountant, I quickly concluded that I couldn’t do this for the rest of my life. That was the impetus for deciding on law school. But once I got there, I realized how dynamic the law was. Whereas accounting is linear, the law was varied, layered, textured, and dynamic. From the first day of class, I knew I had made the right decision.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

Many professors will say “the students.” And I agree with that wholeheartedly. But in addition, I also enjoy the freedom. The freedom to shape, design and structure my course in a way that I feel is most beneficial for my students. I really enjoy that part of the job — the autonomy.

What do you hope students gain from your courses?

I want them to appreciate that their job will not simply be drafting documents or litigating. Instead, lawyers need to be problem solvers and advisors. Clients should feel comfortable turning to their lawyer for legal advice and for help resolving business issues which are often commingled with the legal ones.

What did you do prior to entering academia?

I was a transactional lawyer at a large law firm in Atlanta. I helped companies buy other companies. I helped them issue securities to raise capital. Also, our publicly held clients were required to file financial information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. I reviewed those documents to make sure they were compliant.

What are you passionate about outside of the law?

Enjoying life and living in the moment. There is a high probability that I’ve already passed the halfway point. So, I’m learning to enjoy the moments now. Bike rides with my sons; running a road race or competing in a triathlon; watching a good show on television. Instead of always trying to get to the next level, I’m simply enjoying the moments and living in them to the fullest.

What are your research interests?

My research focuses on securities, securities-related issues and accounting topics.

Publications

Link to my publications.

Presentations

  • "Regulation A+ - New and Improved after the J.O.B.S. Act or a Failed Revival?" presented at the National Business Law Scholars Conference, University of Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Ill. (June 23, 2016)
  • "Regulation A+ - New and Improved after the J.O.B.S. Act or a Failed Revival?"
    presented at Texas A&M School of Law Faculty Colloquium (April 20, 2016)
  • "A Capital Formation Overhaul," presented at the National Business Law Scholars Conference, Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark, NJ (June 4-5, 2015)
  • “The J.O.B.S. Act & The New Texas Intrastate Crowdfunding Provision,” CLE presented at the Tarrant County Bar’s Corporate Counsel Section (Nov. 5, 2014)
  • “Regulation A+ and the Question of State Blue Sky Law Preemption Under the J.O.B.S. Act,” presented at the National Business Law Scholars Conference at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles (June 20, 2014)
  • “Regulation A+ and the Question of State Blue Sky Law Preemption Under the J.O.B.S. Act,” presented to the Texas A&M Faculty (April 23, 2014)
  • “What You and Your Clients Need to Know about the J.O.B.S. Act,” a presentation to Texas Wesleyan University law graduates and local Fort Worth professionals; the presentation gave an overview of the J.O.B.S. Act, which was enacted in April 2012; presented at the Faculty All-Star Continuing Legal Education Conference (Feb. 22, 2013)
  • “Educating the Digital Lawyer,” presentation to Texas Wesleyan University law graduates and local Fort Worth professionals; the presentation covered the issues surrounding the prospect of starting and running a virtual (online) law practice; presented at the Faculty All-Star Continuing Legal Education conference (March 9, 2012)
  • “One Worldwide Set of Global Accounting Standards? – Hmmm,” presented at the Mid-Atlantic People of Color Scholarship Conference in Washington, D.C. (Jan. 27, 2012)
  • “One Worldwide Set of Global Accounting Standards? – Hmmm,” presented at the Midwest Corporate Law Scholars Conference at the Ohio State University Moritz School of Law (June 15, 2011)
  • “The U.S. Move to International Accounting Standards – A Matter of Cultural Discord”; presenter, University of Memphis Financial Symposium: “Rethinking the U.S. Regulatory Structure Governing Financial Institutions: 21st Century Solutions for a 21st Century Marketplace” (Feb. 20, 2009) (invited)
  • “The U.S. Move to International Accounting Standards – A Matter of Cultural Discord,” presenter, Northeast People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference, Boston University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts (Sept. 11-14, 2008)
  • “Teaching Socioeconomics in Law School,” presenter/panelist, Southeastern Association of Law Schools Annual Conference (Aug. 1, 2007)
  • “The Holy Grail of Financial Reporting and Why We May Never Get There,” presenter, Southeast/Southwest People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference (March 2007)
  • “Enron and the Special Purpose Entity – Use or Abuse? The Real Problem – The Real Focus,” presenter, Southeast/Southwest People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference (April 7, 2006)

Expertise

  • Securities law
  • Financial accounting
  • Corporate law
  • Transactional law

Courses

  • Business Associations I
  • Business Associations II (formerly Securities Regulation)
  • Payment Systems
  • How the Deals Get Done: Drafting for the Transactional Lawyer (a business practicum course that teaches transactional drafting and transactional lawyering skills)

Academic Experience

  • Professor of Law
    Texas A&M University School of Law (2013-present)
  • Professor of Law
    Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (2009-2013)
  • Associate Professor of Law
    Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (2004-2008)
  • Visiting Associate Professor of Law
    Florida State University College of Law (2003-2004)

Education

  • J.D., Howard University School of Law, cum laude
  • B.B.A. in Accountancy, University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business
  • Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the state of Michigan

Awards / Honors

  • Texas A&M Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award - College Level (2016)
  • Voted Professor of the Year – Upper Level Division, 2009-2010 academic year
  • Voted Co-Professor of the Year – Upper Level Day Division, 2005-2006 academic year

Contact Info