Spearman ISD Names 2024 Lynx Legacy Distinguished Alumni

Spearman ISD is proud to announce Elizabeth Pipkin as the recipient for the 2024 Lynx Legacy Distinguished Alumni Award. The purpose of the award is to identify, recognize, celebrate, and honor alumni who have distinguished themselves through public service, academic achievement, and professional contributions. The recipient must be a graduate of Spearman High School who graduated within a minimum of ten years prior.

Elizabeth is the daughter of Roy and Frances Pipkin. She graduated from Spearman High School in 1994. After high school, Pipkin attended Brigham Young University earning her bachelor's degree and obtained her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Harvard Law School.

One of California's top trial lawyers, Pipkin is an expert in the courtroom. She has been named Top 100 Lawyers, Daily Journal, 2014, 2015, 2023; Top Women Lawyers, Daily Journal, 2015, 2020, 2023; California Lawyer Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award, 2015; The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Commercial Litigation, 2024; Leading Commercial Litigators 2024, Daily Journal; Northern California Super Lawyers, 2018-2023; Silicon Valley "Women of Influence 2015, Silicon Valley Business Journal; The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Pro Bono Award, 2015; Asian Pacific Bar Association of Silicon Valley's Beacon Award for Diversity, 2015; Top "40 under 40" Silicon Valley Executives, Silicon Valley Business Journal, 2013, and Tribute to Women Award, YWCA of Silicon Valley, 2011.

In 2014, Pipkin was honored by the naming of the "Elizabeth Pipkin Public Interest Law Fellowship" at the University of Texas School of Law, sponsored by Bill and Stephanie Whitehurst.

As a way to contribute to her profession and community, Pipkin serves as a Board of Director on the Northern District Practice Program (NDPP). She has served on multiple boards throughout her career including the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley where she served as President, Board of Directors; Northern District of California Lawyer Representative; Fellow, American Bar Foundation; Harvard Law School Association of Northern California, Executive Board; and Santa Clara County Bar Association, Member.

Pipkin has had a number of speaking engagements and presentations. She has written several articles that have been published in the Daily Journal.

"Elizabeth is an extremely intelligent and gifted communicator. While Spearman High School did not have a debate team, Elizabeth found a way to hone her skill of public speaking and love of politics and policy to compete in UIL extemporaneous speaking. She drove herself to tournaments throughout the Texas Panhandle, and quite often brought home gold medals. Her support system consisted of her mother, Frances, and social studies teacher, Mary Lou Matthews. I can remember watching Elizabeth devour article after article; reading, categorizing, and filing from the stacks of newspapers and magazines on the old wooden table in the corner of

Mrs. Matthews' classroom," shared nominator for Elizabeth Pipkin.

Pipkin resides in San Jose, California and is a partner at the San Jose Law Firm McManis Faulkner.

Credit source: Nominator of Elizabeth Pipkin and www.mcmanislaw.com/people/lawyers/elizabeth-pipkin