Texas A&M School of Law professor Thomas W. Mitchell has been named a 2020 fellow of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for his work in reforming laws and developing policy solutions that help disadvantaged families deprived of their land, homes and real estate wealth.

The “genius grant,” considered to be among the prestigious awards or fellowships in the world, is given to individuals “who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction,” according to a statement made by the Foundation. The distinction comes with a $625,000 no-strings-attached stipend.