Page 31 - Briefcase Volume 36 Number 2

The site has been chosen, seed money is being raised, focus groups consulted, and wish lists
compiled — long-awaited plans are on track for construction of a five-story, state-of-the-art
facility to enhance the educational capabilities of the University of Houston Law Center and help
launch it into the upper echelons of the nation’s law schools.
It has been a goal for years to replace the nearly 50-year-old Law Center building with a
modern facility to better reflect the academic excellence behind its walls. The school’s reputation
is strong in the legal community, but the outdated, time-worn facility is holding it back. U.S.
News & World Report currently ranks the Law Center 56th among the nation’s 197 law schools
accredited by the American Bar Association. Other law schools that have constructed new
buildings have often experienced a notable improvement in their rankings. Rankings, though
by no means definitive in evaluating the educational quality of an institution, are important
in attracting and retaining the most diverse and best credentialed professors and students; the
rankings affect the perceived value of a J.D. for both recent graduates and alumni.
“A world-class institution in a world class city requires a world-class building,” said Dean
Leonard M. Baynes. “The Law Center is an excellent institution with very talented and
well-regarded faculty, students, staff and alumni. The current building does not reflect that
excellence found within and, in fact, diminishes the Law Center’s otherwise outstanding
reputation. A world-class building will enhance the Law Center’s national reputation for
educational excellence.”
UH President Renu
Khator has made a “UH Law is important to
new law building a
top priority in seeking our work in building a more
funding when the
legislature reconvenes economically robust Houston.”
in January.
“Since its
establishment in 1947,
the University of Houston Law Center has come to exemplify this University’s dedication
to academic excellence and community engagement,” Khator said. “Today, as it continues
to produce an outstanding array of business and civic leaders, legal scholars and practicing
lawyers, it faces the growing challenge of doing so in outdated facilities. That is why I am so
enthusiastically supporting the “More than Bricks” campaign for a new, state-of-the-art UHLC
building, one that will allow our law school to achieve even greater success and bring even
greater recognition to UH.”
The new building also will benefit the city, projecting a powerful, modern image of the top law
school in the nation’s fourth largest city.
“UH Law is important to our work in building a more economically robust Houston,” said
Bob Harvey, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership. “To support Fortune 500
companies and Houston’s reputation as a leading headquarters city, we have to have strong
corporate talent, including a deep bench in the legal profession. The great news is that leading
global firms have a strong presence in Houston, which is a key strength as we talk to major
companies considering relocation. UH Law is a key part of that effort.”
The new building will project a dynamic image of the school and reinforce its name as a true
“law center.” It is planned as a cross-disciplinary facility with the latest technology and flexible
space to enhance the educational experience for students and faculty while also serving as a hub
to engage and serve the public. It will include space to enhance the school’s clinical outreach to
the community while improved facilities and modern technological capabilities will provide
opportunities for greater interaction with local, national and international stakeholders. Modern
spaces for judicial proceedings will serve local, state and regional courts, giving students and the
public valuable insight into the judicial system.
“The Law Center is already active in reaching out to the community through its clinical and
educational programs, but the new facility will allow a great commitment to this endeavor,”
Baynes said. “It will allow clinic clients to more easily find the clinics and provide the clients with
first-class service.”
The three-part building campaign is more than half-way through Phase 1, raising $5.4 million

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