Nationally recognized Law Center improving with brand-new building complex

By Sydney Rose

Over the course of 75 years, the UH Law Center has made a name for itself and continued collecting accomplishments for its facility, faculty and students. More are expected with the new law building in the works.

The Law Center’s associate dean for alumni and community relations Sondra R. Tennessee has worked in this department for 25 years and said there has been talk of constructing a new building since she started working there.

“For as long as I have been at the Law Center, there has been a desire to build a new law school building. This new building will be source of pride for everyone who is connected to the Law Center,” Tennessee said. “The students spaces are very nice with lots of natural light, unlike our current building.”

The building is set to open and be in operation by Fall 2022. This new part of the Law Center was named after the late lawyer and alumnus John M O’Quinn to recognize his gift of $16 million.

“Through the leadership of Dean Baynes, support from President Khator, the Legislature and our wonderful Law Center alumni and friends, we raised over $93 million to build the new John M. O’Quinn Law Building,” Tennessee said.

Other accomplishments have come to the UH Law Center over the past year as it is home to three top 10 law programs, according to U.S. News & World Report rankings. The UH Law Center’s Environment, Energy and Natural Resources program ranks 28th nationally as well.

One highlight to mention regarding the appeal of attended UHLC is the Law Center is being ranked as one of the top two law schools to go to in Texas, according to Law. com’s annual ratings. It is ranked 27th in the country.

As counted since 2021 the Law Center has over 800 students enrolled and more than 13,000 alumni.

The UH Law Center received the distinction of Diversity Champion by the

INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine. The Law Center is the only law school in the country to receive the recognition.

“It is an honor for Insight Into Diversity to acknowledge the Law Center’s diversity efforts for the sixth time,” said assistant dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Metropolitan programs Meredith J. Duncan. “We are delighted to be recognized, not only for what we are doing here at the Law Center, but also for our deliberate efforts toward diversifying the legal profession as a whole through our Pre-Law Pipeline Programs.”