Leonard M. Baynes is the ninth dean in University of Houston Law Center history.
Oct. 9, 2019 – University of Houston Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes has been named a Diversity Champion by the National Diversity Council. He will be honored at the Top 50 General Counsel dinner on Oct. 30 at the Marriot Marquis. The event, where former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will serve as the keynote speaker, is part of the 3rd Annual Legal Diversity Week.
The National Diversity Council is a non-profit organization that advocates workforce diversity through consulting, education, programs and training.
During Baynes’s deanship, the Law Center was recognized by Insight into Diversity Magazine for four years in a row with the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award and for the past two years, the Law Center was the only ABA accredited law school to receive this prestigious award. In 2019, he accepted the American Bar Association Alexander Award on behalf of the UHLC Pre-Law Pipeline Program.
“I am delighted to be recognized with this award,” Baynes said. “My achievements are shared with the efforts of the Law Center’s fabulous faculty, alumni, staff and students. Together we make the Law Center a place of extraordinary diversity and inclusion.”
Baynes initiated the award winning Pre-Law Pipeline Program designed to create more opportunities for first-generation, economically challenged, and under-represented college students who are considering law school. He instituted a voluntary “Community Service Day” during which incoming first-year students, faculty, and staff work on public service projects throughout Houston. He also has increased the number of scholarships and opportunities for students to serve in school-funded, public service internships at home and abroad.
