Dear alumni and friends of the Law School,
In 1997, a few years after I became a member of our faculty, the University of Alabama School of Law adopted a strategic plan. The premise of the plan was simple: we were a respectable state law school, but we wanted to be better. So, we took inventory of the nation’s public law schools and selected a handful that were generally regarded as a notch above us. We took a good look at things they were doing that we might emulate, and we got better.
Today, 25 years later, we have the most highly credentialed and most diverse student body we have ever had. Our faculty are nationally recognized experts in a wide variety of fields. Our students have more and better job opportunities than ever before. And our law school’s reputation for excellence is a source of pride to our University and state. We have a lot to be proud of.
The good news is that we can aim even higher. There is no reason that our state’s flagship law school cannot be among the best public schools in the nation, bar none. We have accomplished a great deal with an endowment that is only a fraction of that of the preeminent public law schools. In other words, gifts to Alabama Law have been a good investment, and they will remain a great investment going forward.
One of the many privileges of serving as Dean is the opportunity to provide the law school’s alumni and friends with opportunities to leave a legacy that will benefit our school, its students and faculty, our state, and the legal profession for years to come. Many of you have given generous gifts that have borne fruit in what we have already accomplished. The lives of our students, our understanding of law, our communities, and the legal profession have been enriched as a result.
Together we can do even more. We have important needs and opportunities that will enhance our students’ learning experiences, improve their career prospects, modernize our building and technology, provide much-needed assistance to help keep legal education affordable and to attract the best and brightest students to the UA School of Law, and continue our tradition of training leaders for our state and nation in challenging times. Where do you want to make a difference?
I hope you will join us in this effort.
With gratitude,
William S. Brewbaker III
Dean and Professor of Law
