UNT law school proposal back to Legislature

Supporters of a proposed public law school in downtown Dallas are hoping for success during the 81st legislative session, which convenes in January 2009, says Jay Patterson, co-chair of the founders' board for the proposed University of North Texas College of Law. “We’re the largest metropolitan area in the country without a [public] law school,” says Patterson, who retired in 2007 from the 101st District Court bench in Dallas. State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, and State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, will sponsor legislation during the 81st session authorizing the state-supported school, says Patterson. During the 80th legislative session in 2007, a bill establishing the school passed the state Senate but was killed after it was attached as an amendment to a state House bill, Patterson says. The city of Dallas has donated the Old Municipal Building at the corner of Main and Harwood to house the school and has also allocated funds to renovate the building, he says. UNT System Chancellor Lee F. Jackson is putting together a search committee to identify a founding dean, Patterson says. “We’re optimistic,” he says.
-- Jeanne Graham