Two Texas Law alumni are among the six recipients of highest honor presented by the Texas Exes: the 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Awards. Gary Farmer ’84 and Del Williams ’85—both of whom also earned undergraduate degrees from The University of Texas at Austin—are being recognized for their professional excellence, civic leadership, and longstanding service to the University.
Established in 1958, the Distinguished Alumnus Awards honor graduates who have made exceptional contributions to their professions, communities, and UT. As noted in the Texas Exes announcement, recipients exemplify the University’s tagline: “What starts here, changes the world.”
Among the 41 Texas Law alumni who have received this honor, the most recent was Mike Perrin ’71, recognized in 2022. Each Distinguished Alumnus is bestowed a distinctive burnt orange jacket.
I’m always excited—but never surprised—when stars of our alumni community are recognized for their excellence and contributions to UT.
Dean Bobby Chesney
“I’m always excited—but never surprised—when stars of our alumni community are recognized for their excellence and contributions to UT,” says Dean Bobby Chesney. “Gary and Del are richly deserving of this recognition, and I look forward to seeing them in their orange jackets at future Law School events.”
Gary Farmer ’84
President, Heritage Title Company of Austin, Inc. , Austin, TX
Photo credit: Matt Wright-Steel
Farmer has been a leader in the Texas title insurance industry for four decades and currently serves as president of Heritage Title Co. of Austin. Under his leadership, Heritage has grown into one of the largest independently owned title agencies in Texas and has earned a strong reputation in the commercial title insurance market.
Farmer’s influence extends well beyond his profession. He is actively involved in numerous civic and philanthropic organizations, including the Chancellor’s Council and Development Board at UT, the Real Estate Council of Austin, the Central Texas Public Safety Commission, the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, and the Texas Business Hall of Fame. In 2003, he founded Opportunity Austin, the economic development initiative of the Greater Austin Economic Development Corp., and served as its chair for 16 years—helping attract more than 900 companies and 700,000 jobs to the region.
He has also chaired or co-chaired nine capital campaigns that raised approximately $196 million for community initiatives. His many honors include Austinite of the Year, Texas Outdoorsman of the Year, and the Boy Scouts of America’s Distinguished Citizen Award.
However, he says his latest recognition is the most meaningful. “Without question, being named a Distinguished Alumnus of The University of Texas is the most incredible honor of my career,” says Farmer, who earned his bachelor of business administration from UT in 1980 before receiving his juris doctorate from Texas Law in 1984. “Many of the professionals I’ve worked with are friends I met during my time at UT and Texas Law. Those relationships are still incredibly important. ‘What starts here’ is often based on the friendships you make at Texas.”
Del Williams ’85
General Counsel of Hillwood, a Perot Company, Dallas, TX
Photo credit: Matt Wright-Steel
Williams serves as general counsel for industrial, commercial, and residential real estate development company Hillwood, a Perot company based in Dallas. He previously held senior leadership roles at Perot Systems Corp. in Plano, Texas, including chief administrative officer, general counsel, and secretary. Later Williams became a vice president at Dell Inc. following its acquisition of Perot Systems. A certified public accountant and member of the State Bar of Texas, Williams has also worked at First Southwest Co. in Dallas and the former law firm Hughes & Luce.
A dedicated University leader, Williams has served as chair of the McCombs Foundation Board, vice chair of the UT Law School Foundation, and president of both the Texas Exes and the Texas Law Alumni Association. He has also chaired the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation, served as president of the nonprofit Dallas Assembly, and is a member of the Cotton Bowl Athletics Association Board of Directors. Texas Law recognized his service with the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award, and the Texas Exes named him an Outstanding Young Texas Ex in 2002.
“I am grateful and humbled by the recognition” from the Texas Exes, says Williams, who earned his BBA in accounting from UT in 1983 before receiving his juris doctorate from Texas Law in 1985. “The University of Texas changed the trajectory of my family’s life. I can never repay what the University has done for us, but I will not stop trying.”
Reflecting on his legal education, Williams adds, “The education and experiences I had at Texas Law made it possible for me to work on impactful projects with people I respect. Being a graduate of Texas Law qualified me to be considered for those opportunities.”
Read The Alcalde’s “Spirit of Excellence: The 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Awards.”