EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Establishing a law school at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) could fill a gap in the region’s and state’s need for legal services, according to a Texas Legislature-commissioned feasibility study.
The study also found that if properly managed and supported, a law school would support itself after a start-up period of 10 years, UTEP said in a news release.
UTEP said the cost to start up the law school is about $20 million over those 10 years, plus the cost of a law-school building.
UTEP President Heather Wilson announced the study’s key findings on Friday, Nov. 15 during an El Paso Bar Association meeting.
“There will be a law school in El Paso someday. When there is, it should be at UTEP. The study shows there is a need for legal services in West Texas, and, with sufficient financial support to start it up, this study shows that it is sustainable for the long term,” Wilson said. “Our next step will be to explore with the community whether there is the financial support to make a law school a reality.”
The study showed a UTEP law school should prioritize student success over college rankings, focusing on preparing students to pass the bar exam and secure high-quality jobs in Texas and beyond.
UTEP said the study also recommended a law school would provide a broad education in a variety of legal specialties with a possible emphasis on international trade and commerce.
Kennedy & Company Education Strategies, a higher education consulting firm specializing in feasibility studies, led the law school study.
The study said that to achieve sustainability, the proposed school should target the significant needs of individuals, businesses, and government agencies in the El Paso region, but also would fill a critical need for bilingual attorneys in other parts of the state.
The following are aspects to take into consideration, according to UTEP:
Key findings from the feasibility study
The firm’s research indicates that the El Paso area would provide career opportunities for a significant portion of the law school’s graduates, while the greater Texas job market could accommodate the remainder.
The proposed law school would initially enroll a class of about 25 first-year law students in fall 2030, with a slow ramp-up of class size that caps off at 100 students.
Financial and facility projections
Long-range financial forecasts estimate that approximately $20 million in operational funding will be needed over the first 10 years to reach sustainable enrollment levels.
This funding could come from various sources, including philanthropic contributions, endowments, and state support. The law school is projected to achieve financial sustainability by 2037.
Due to limited campus space and accreditation requirements, a new building would be required to house classrooms, faculty offices, simulated courtrooms, a law library, and other facilities.
The projected capital cost for the building is between $60 million and $110 million including design, permits, furniture, and technology.
Next steps
UTEP will work with local leaders to secure philanthropic and business commitments from the El Paso community over the next 12 to 18 months.
If the community is supportive, UTEP will engage in conversations with the UT System Regents and the Texas Legislature to secure needed approval and additional capital support, potentially submitting a formal request to start a law school during the 2027 legislative session.
Following legislative approval, UTEP would seek preliminary accreditation from the American Bar Association and appoint a dean and administrative team.
Read: Read More