After breaking ground nearly two years ago, the University of Wyoming’s College of Law officially opened a newly renovated northwest wing and the Alan K. Simpson Center for Clinical and Experiential Learning this week. Hundreds of current and former lawyers, politicians and university officials gathered Thursday afternoon in the west parking lot of the law building to celebrate the new addition of a 19,300-square-foot, two-story expansion of the historic law building.
The event also emphasized the significance of the college’s commitment to enhancing legal education and providing students with hands-on learning opportunities. “The energy is unmistakable on this day. It’s clear that this grand opening is as much of a celebration as it is a milestone in our history,” former Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justice Marilyn Kite said.
“This law school is 104 years old, which is pretty amazing. Thousands of students have been educated in this school, and here we were taught to grow, to engage, to serve.” The college’s students and faculty have long since outgrown the space of the original building.
When this was brought to the attention of the American Bar Association’s accreditation review of the College of Law in 2013, the association noted the lack of space in the main building and its inconvenience required law students to travel to the annex office building across campus to participate in clinical practices. Recently named Dean and Wyoming Excellence Chair Julie .