A New Law School for Dallas and North Texas.
A plan for providing affordable and accessible public legal education to an underserved population in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and partnering with Dallas to revitalize the historic Main Street area.

Proposed timeline

  • Spring 2009: Tuition Revenue Bonds Facility financing approved in conjunction with city commitment
  • Spring 2009: Recruit founding dean
  • Summer 2009: Initiate feasibility study with the T.H.E.C.B.
  • Fall 2009: Begin building renovation, Complete ABA accreditation planning
  • Fall 2009/Spring 2010: Recruit faculty for fall 2010 entering class
  • Spring 2010: Enroll first students for fall 2010
  • Fall 2010: Complete renovation of the Universities Center at Dallas
  • Fall 2010: Complete installation of furniture and equipment
  • Fall 2010: Begin classes at UNT College of Law
UNT downtown concept rendering

An architectural rendering of the UNT System vision of downtown dallas, an award-winning concept.

Helping to revitalize downtown Dallas

  • The city of Dallas, committed to the new law school, has donated the Old Municipal Building and adjacent annex to house the UNT law school. The city has also allocated substantial funds for the renovation of the building.
  • As part of the revitalization of the Main Street District, a new city park has been approved and is now under contruction. The park will help to create a campus-like atmosphere; both the UNT College of Law and the existing Universities Center at Dallas will face the park.
  • UNT’s presence in the downtown area will address the need identified in every recent study of Dallas, which have all concluded that for Dallas to rejuvenate its downtown area, it must have a central university presence. The success of such joint city-university revitalization projects in Chicago, Philadelphia, and other great American metropolitan areas can serve as models.
  • By establishing the UNT College of Law in the Old Municipal building, the location will promote partnerships among students, faculty, courts, law firms—and other businesses—to serve the greater DFW community.

Get involved!

To find out about how you and/or your firm can support the public UNT College of Law, contact:

Jay Patterson, Co-Chair of the Founders Board
Proposed UNT College of Law
9854 Estate Lane
Dallas, Texas 75238-1963
(214) 533-6433
(214) 343-8303 fax
jayjanp@earthlink.net