School of Law Opens Lanier Law Addition

The $13.6 million Mark & Becky Lanier Professional Development Center addition to the School of Law is officially open for business. The 34,560-square-foot addition, expected to enhance the legal education of future generations of lawyers, was made possible by a $6 million donation from the Laniers matched with resources from the university. "The Lanier addition gives Texas Tech the finest legal education facility in the nation," said Walter Huffman, dean of the law school. "We are extremely grateful to the Laniers for providing this great benefit for the current and future students of our law school." The addition includes the 130-seat Donald Hunt courtroom and a 300-seat auditorium-classroom. The courtroom includes amenities such as a document camera, laptop connections and video players available for the electronic introduction of evidence. Two large projection screens enable audiences on both floor level and balcony can watch proceedings. Integrated technology includes videoconferencing capability and digital recording of court proceedings. The practice courtroom is equipped with a judge's bench, attorneys' tables, a witness box and technology mimicking that in the Hunt courtroom. "Because of donors like Mark and Becky Lanier, the School of Law can provide more than a great education to our law students," said Chancellor Hance. "Students will be better prepared to practice law because of the hands-on experience they receive here." Mark Lanier, a 1984 graduate of the School of Law, is founder and senior partner of The Lanier Law Firm, a national litigation firm with offices in Houston, New York and Los Angeles. Becky Lanier received her bachelor's degree in 1984 and her master's degree in 1986, both from Texas Tech. Lanier credits two mentors for his success. "Dean Annette Marple went out of her way to place me at the School of Law. Then professor Don Hunt helped develop my courtroom ability," Lanier said. "Those two put me in the position for success as a lawyer. For that, I want Texas Tech to be the best it can be." Dean Huffman could not be more grateful to the Laniers. "The Laniers' gift is doubly significant because it was given by alumni exemplifying the preeminent students who graduate from Texas Tech and go about making their mark in the world in a most meaningful way," Huffman said. Story produced by the Office of Communications and Marketing, (806) 742-2136. Photos by Artie Limmer. Web layout by Kristina Woods Butler.