Building a New Legal Legacy

As hundreds of alumni, donors, administrators and elected officials gathered inside the University of Houston’s new $93 million John M. O’Quinn Law Building for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, Leonard M. Baynes was feeling especially gratified. For years, the dean of the UH Law Center held firm that a world class law school in a world class city requires a world class building.

To be sure, there were many challenges to overcome, from securing funding to legislative support. Some doubted it was even possible. But finally, this fall, the University opened that “world class” facility, representing a new era in legal education in the city of Houston. 

“This has been a decades-long dream of our alumni, faculty, staff and students and friends who wanted a facility reflecting the Law Center’s outstanding caliber,” said Baynes at the grand opening festivities. “We have much to celebrate this year.”

Lasting Legacy

The new building is named in honor of the late John M. O’Quinn, a prominent Texas trial attorney and UH Law Center alumnus. O’Quinn served as editor-in-chief of the Houston Law Review, was the Texas State Moot Court champion in 1966 and graduated first in his class in 1967. He was known for winning big verdicts against big tobacco, chemical and drug companies. But his true passion was giving back to his community through his foundation, which has donated $16 million to the Law Center.

“The John M. O’Quinn Law Building is an amazing symbol of just how incredible the UH law program is and how much it’s grown,” said Sarah Smati, a third-year law student from Houston. “Hopefully more people will see that and realize how much opportunity there is here.”

Today, the UH Law Center boasts more than 17,000 alumni worldwide. Baynes said the new building better promotes community engagement and modern, interdisciplinary legal education in a student-focused environment.

“It's a place where you can realize your full potential not only as a law student, but as an attorney, as an advocate for the people,” said Tyler Brewster, a second-year student from West Virginia. “I think the building is a perfect symbol for the success of the school in the past and the potential that the school has for the future.”

As he looks towards that future, Baynes is especially proud of the Law Center’s commitment to providing opportunities for many first-generation college students. Last fall, it was the only law school in the nation to receive the distinction of Diversity Champion by INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

“That diversity will reflect positively on the learning experience of our students who will be able to project into the future and say to themselves that no matter what their backgrounds may be, they can be just as successful as our alumni who are able to give back financially to their alma mater,” Baynes said.

Brewster, who serves as president of the UH Student Bar Association, agrees.

“Law is generally not a diverse profession, but our law school is,” he said. “UH is leading the charge in that regard and I think it’s going to open the world of law to so many more people and make the legal job market better as a whole.”

As she helped cut that ribbon on the new John M. O’Quinn Law Building, President Khator didn’t look back, rather she looked to the future with great expectations.

“Our golden days are still ahead of us,” she said.