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The University of Texas at Austin School of Law

Texas Law Magazine

The Spring 2026 issue of Texas Law Magazine is out now. Look for it in your mailbox the week of April 20.

Cover of Texas Law Magazine, Spring 2026, published by the University of Texas School of Law. The cover features a grid of ghostly, blurred silhouettes of standing human figures rendered in muted blues, tans, and purples against a textured, layered background that includes fragments of printed text. The figures vary in size and opacity, evoking anonymity or disappearance. Cover lines read: "The Undeadliest Protest," "True Crime Numbers," and the main feature headline "Tracking Down Invisible Killers — The True Crime Issue."

Spring 2026 Features

A black-and-white collage featuring the faces of Guy James Gray Jr. and Gretchen Sween, partially obscured by torn paper. Large text around them reads 'WHAT WE CARRY,' with fragments of documents and handwritten marks layered in the background.

What We Carry

By Angela Shah

A prosecutor and a capital defense lawyer reflect on the toll of seeking justice. 

A surreal image of a person whose body becomes a tree with green leaves. Human-like bird figures sit on the branches, and the background shows faint patterns of a DNA gel electrode.

Tracking Down Invisible Killers

By Robin Berghaus

Genetic genealogy, pioneered by Barbara Rae-Venter ’85, is the hot new tool for cracking cold cases.

Black-and-white collage featuring bold headline text reading “The Undeadliest Protest” overlaid on an image the UT clock tower and a protest scene with people holding signs.

The Undeadliest Protest

By John Schwartz ’84

In 1970, the legal heroism of a group of law students kept the peace and saved lives.

Texas Law Magazine "Docket" with contributing individuals listed as well as an person in profile touching their reflection, with multiple overlapping images creating a blurred, layered effect.
The Docket list of featured stories with a letter from the Dean titled "True Crime"
Available for Download Soon!

A Look Inside

Here’s a sampling of stories from the Spring 2026 issue that you can read online.

A stylized collage shows close-up profiles of faces in orange and blue tones, overlaid with torn pieces featuring numbers and symbols, creating an abstract, tense mood.

Crime Without Punishment

Professor Brian Pérez-Daple looks at the true numbers and hidden math of crime in America.

Stylized collage of an Stanley Johansen dressed as Elvis Presley in a white jumpsuit and sunglasses holding a microphone with arms outstretched, set against a red background and a black-and-white crowd of people behind him.

Elvis Has Not Left the Building

Stanley Johanson is still the King—and still rocking the classroom after 63 years at Texas Law. 

Mindy Montford outside of the Texas Law building with greenery

Fighting For Answers

How Mindy Montford ’95 tackled Austin’s most notorious unsolved murders and helped the victims’ families. 

Also in This Issue

Nighttime film set with a crew working around a car with flashing lights, illuminated by large studio lights and reflectors, while a boom lift holds a bright overhead spotlight.

Reel to Real

Long before Serial, The Thin Blue Line was the original true-crime documentary. Learn how Randy Schaffer ’73 handled the case that launched the true crime genre—but hasn’t yet changed the world.

A teal-colored book titled “The Middle-Class New Deal: Restoring Upward Mobility and the American Dream” is shown standing upright against a light green background. To the right of the book is a circular black-and-white portrait of the author Mechelle Dickerson.

Mid-Century Modern

America’s middle class didn’t just happen; it was built. Professor Mechele Dickerson’s New York Times bestseller, The Middle-Class New Deal, argues that we need to, and can, build it again. 

A black and white image of Texas Law's 16 Chancellors with one holding the Peregrinus statue, on an ombre grey background

Isn’t It Grand

The Chancellor Society is Texas Law’s oldest and most prestigious honor society, recognizing those students with the highest grade point averages in their class year. Meet the 2026 Chancellors.

Bonus Content

Mechele Dickerson sits next to Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" showing a hook 'em hand sign.

Horns Up

Professor Mechele Dickerson has her horns up for the Texas-friendly studio audience at her appearance with John Stewart on “The Daily Show.” Hook ’em!

Watch the Video on YouTube
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Spring 2026, Volume 3, Issue 1

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