UH Law Center Celebrates Alumnus John M. O’Quinn’s Birthday and Legacy

Sept. 12, 2025 – The University of Houston Law Center marked what would have been the 84th birthday of legendary trial lawyer, philanthropist and alumnus John M. O’Quinn (J.D. ’67) with a gathering at the John M. O’Quinn Law Building on Wednesday. The event honored O’Quinn’s life, vision, and transformative philanthropy, which continue to shape the Law Center and the University through the ongoing support of The John M. O’Quinn Foundation.

O’Quinn was one of UH’s most generous financial benefactors, and the Law Building is the latest campus facility to bear his name. His legacy also lives on at UH through the John M. O’Quinn Field at TDECU Stadium and the O’Quinn Great Hall at the UH Alumni Center. In 2018, the foundation provided a $3.5 million grant to the new UH College of Medicine to support scholarships and startup costs.

UH President Renu Khator reflected on her early interactions with O’Quinn soon after she joined the University.

“If you needed to know one person who loved the University of Houston, supported the University of Houston, that was John O’Quinn,” she said. “I remember telling him that we needed his help to build a new law building…and he said yes, he said, ‘Oh absolutely, I want to do that, let’s work on it.’ He had that passion…he just had so much appreciation and love.”

Even after his tragic passing in 2009, O’Quinn’s vision for the University has been carried forward by the trustees of the foundation. Led by President Rob C. Wilson III, the foundation donated more than $16 million, a significant portion of which contributed to the construction of the world class John M. O’Quinn Law Building. The $93 million facility, which opened in 2022, houses nationally ranked clinics, specialty institutes, pre-law pipeline programs, and modern learning and collaborative spaces.

“Because of that generosity, we are here in this building,” Khator said. “It would never have been possible without The John M. O’Quinn Foundation. The trustees and President Rob C. Wison, III have truly lived his legacy, giving as much love and support to the university as John himself would have done.”

Wilson, a close friend of O’Quinn, shared personal memories of their decades-long friendship and highlighted the significance of the Law Building to O’Quinn’s legacy and the Foundation.

“The only thing [John] wanted was his name on this law school. Two weeks before he died, he told me, ‘This needs to happen.’ And thanks to the partnership with UH, it did,” Wilson said. “I can’t tell you how much this building means to the Foundation… John is looking down on us right now, and he’s smiling…I can promise you he’s proud.”

UH Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes emphasized O’Quinn’s remarkable journey as both a student and a lawyer.

“He was a first-generation college student who graduated number one in his class, served as editor-in-chief of the Law Review, and won a statewide mock trial competition,” Baynes said. “But more than that, he represented our people, the people of our community. In many cases, he won billions of dollars in judgments that made a huge difference for people who needed help—whether it was women harmed by breast implants or individuals facing medical challenges of whatever the case may be.”

For Baynes, O’Quinn’s story also holds deep meaning for UH Law Center students.

“Our students may not know what their dreams are when they start school, but their dreams may be more powerful beyond anything they can imagine,” he said. “John O’Quinn’s life is proof of that—that anyone, no matter their background or economic circumstances, can achieve extraordinary things by coming to the University of Houston Law Center.”

Wilson offered words of encouragement for UH Law students: “You have a wonderful place, a great institution. Just work like John did—keep your head down, study hard, and appreciate the opportunity you have. John proved that no matter where you start, you can go anywhere.”

The event featured a video of law students sharing their favorite spots in the building and thanking O’Quinn and the foundation, framed newspaper articles, and artwork depicting O’Quinn, and personal items from O’Quinn’s office along with lunch and cake.  University leaders, including UH Athletic Director Eddie Nunez and Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Russell Dunlavy; UHLC students, faculty and staff; and Foundation representatives, came together to celebrate O’Quinn, his legacy and the partnership between UH and the O’Quinn Foundation.