Bricks Bytes and Continuous Renovations
Law School Web sites
January 1, 2010
By Brittany Kolonay
Brittany Kolonay, research assistant to Professor Penny A. Hazelton, formerly Chair of the ABA Law
School Facilities Committee, has prepared this list of 102 law schools who recently or are currently
engaged in new construction or renovation projects. These law schools were identified by searching all
law school websites for information on law school facilities that might be of interest to others law schools.
Ms. Kolonay builds on the work of Jocelyn Kennedy, currently a librarian at the University of Michigan
School of Law Library.
The list is arranged alphabetically (excluding the word University). A brief description of the contents of
each website is included. Law schools with no current construction projects but who have created
impressive virtual tours of their facilities are included.
Schools in Puerto Rico were not included as the Web sites are in Spanish.
Please send corrections or suggestions to Professor Penny A. Hazelton, University of Washington School
of Law, pennyh@uw.edu
University of Akron
http://www3.uakron.edu/dds/portfolio/law/tour/
The University of Akron’s virtual tour contains floor maps as well as descriptions of all the rooms included
in the tour.
University of Alabama
www.law.ua.edu/building
The University of Alabama completed construction of a two story addition and renovation of the existing
law school in 2006. This website features descriptions of the project, updates of building progress, and
photographs of construction.
American University
http://www.wcl.american.edu/tour/
American University has completed several construction projects including renovating the former law
journal offices into the new career services suite and renovating the moot court room and lobby.
Additionally, the University has a virtual tour of the school and several of its spaces - including the
remodeled lobby.
University of Arizona
http://www.law.arizona.edu/lawcommons/
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In 2008, the University of Arizona extensively renovated their main law building, including classrooms,
student spaces and the library. This website provides links to the design and construction progress of the
project. The University also created a video showcasing the improvements made and maintains a virtual
tour of the law library.
University of Arkansas Fayetteville
http://law.uark.edu/950.php
The University of Arkansas opened two new wings of its law school building in 2008. The project added
classroom space and other student spaces, a new court room, an espresso bar and expanded the law
library. The link provided is to a keynote address which only briefly describes the improvements.
University of Arkansas Little Rock
http://www.law.ualr.edu/aboutus/rennovations/
Over the summer of 2006, the University of Arkansas - Little Rock renovated several areas of the law
school. This website describes the types of rooms being renovated and provides pictures of the progress
and final product.
Ave Maria
http://www.avemarialaw.edu/index.cfm?event=Vineyards.overview
The Ave Maria School of Law relocated to Naples Florida in 2009. The school planned several
renovations to the Naples campus which are briefly described in this overview.
University of Baltimore
http://law.ubalt.edu/template.cfm?page=1146
In 2005, the University of Baltimore completed the renovation of classrooms and their moot court room. 2
years later, the school also added 5 faculty offices to the law library. Furthermore, in 2008, the University
announced that it planned to starting construction on a new law school building in 2010 and finishing in
2012. This website provides information about the architect, design, and news stories related to the
building.
Baylor University
law.baylor.edu/New_Building/virtualtour.htm
Although construction was completed in 2001, Baylor University's website continues to maintain a virtual
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tour of their updated facilities. This website includes interactive floor plans, historical information, and a
visual and textual "virtual" tour of the Baylor Law School facilities. Includes information on costs, funding,
architects, and start of the art technologies used at the school.
University of California Berkeley
http://www.law.berkeley.edu/building/masterPlan.html
The University of California Berkeley has been in the process several renovations and a large
construction project for several years now. The classrooms, student center and moot court are now
complete. However, they are continuing work on the west terrace and the new addition which will house
the law library. This website includes design images, timetables, and a construction blog.
University of California Davis
http://www.law.ucdavis.edu/alumni/giving/about-new-building.html
UC-Davis is in the process of adding 19,500 square feet to the existing law school. This webpage
features a detailed project that includes floor plans, budgets, and space allocation.
University of California Hastings
http://library.uchastings.edu/library/about/
The University of California Hastings renovated its law library from 2005-2007. This website describes
some of the renovations and links to the architects’ website which details expense as well as some
additional details.
Campbell University School of Law
http://law.campbell.edu/news/raleigh_campaign.html
Campbell University School of Law remodeled the law library in 2007. The school has also planned a
move to Raleigh that should have been completed in the summer of 2009. This website describes the
planned move to and the renovation of the new facility. The website also links to information about the
architects. However, there are not yet any pictures.
Capital University
http://www.law.capital.edu/News/Archive/2005/20050909annex.asp
In 2005, Capital University renovated a building purchased the year before to add classrooms, a
computer lab, a conference room and other needed space to the law school. Additional information about
the project was not provided
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Case Western Reserve University
http://blog.case.edu/casenews/2006/01/17/case_western_reserve_university_school_of_law_completes_library_renovation
The law library was completely renovated in 2006; however, while the website lists the improvements that
Case Western Reserve made, there are no other project details.
Chapman University
http://www.chapman.edu/admission/news/news_story.asp?iNewsID=241&strBack=%2Fpubrel%2Fnews
%2Fnews_archive.asp
http://www.chapman.edu/law/library/virtualTour/Floor1/mainEntrance.asp
Chapman University School of Law renovated the Old Towne Orange House in order to house the Elder
Law Clinic. The school has also provided an extensive virtual tour of the law library.
Charlotte
http://www.charlottelaw.edu/mediacenter/default.asp?PageID=149&NewsID=80
https://www.charlottelaw.edu/tour/
The Charlotte School of Law moved into a new building in 2008. This website describes the new
facilities; however, it does not provide any other project details. In addition, the law school has provided a
slide show virtual tour.
University of Chicago
http://www.law.uchicago.edu/news/renovations20081023
http://www.law.uchicago.edu/node/148
The University of Chicago Law School completed renovations to its law library in 2008. The link above
provides brief descriptions of these renovations. The school also offers a visual tour video that may be
downloaded.
City University of New York
http://www.law.cuny.edu/news-events/SchoolNews/two-court-square.html
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CUNY plans to construct a new building prior to fall of 2011. This website describes the building’s
location, green features, and provides information about the builders.
Cleveland State
http://www.law.csuohio.edu/faculty/deansoffice/documents/reportingsuccess.pdf
http://www.law.csuohio.edu/faculty/deansoffice/letterofthelaw/newsletter_spring_08.html
Starting on page 5 of this .pdf, the dean’s office describes the extensive renovations the College of Law
completed in June of 2008. The report also includes pictures of the renovated space. The second link
provides further descriptions of the types of renovations made to the law school.
University of Colorado
www.colorado.edu/about/wolf/
The University of Colorado began planning for a new building in 1997, broke ground in 2005, and
completed construction in September 2006. The Law School maintains a website that features links to a
QuickTime movie with construction updates, a list of contacts that includes the architects, fundraising
campaign information, funding chronology, documents and building plans as well as a web cam and
photos. This is perhaps the most extensive and useful of all of the websites reviewed.
University of Connecticut
http://www.law.uconn.edu/system/files/private/Fall2009.pdf
In 2009, the law library concluded all construction on the interior of the University of Connecticut’s law
library. This report outlines the improvements made to the library in addition to providing some pictures.
Cornell University
http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/spotlight.cfm?pageid=161756
In 2009, the law school renovated their moot court room. This article provides a brief description of the
construction and provides the architect’s rendering.
University of Dayton
http://law.udayton.edu/NR/exeres/48E5E360-80FE-48FA-9129-66239A0E5DAF.htm
The University of Dayton built its new building in 1997 and has developed a virtual tour that has small
pictures of the individual spaces, but provides a detailed description of the building.
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University of Denver
http://law.du.edu/index.php/green-building/leed
The University of Denver moved into a new building in 2004 that is LEED certified Gold. The website
provides details and a video of the building and the green building process.
Drake University
http://www.law.drake.edu/admissions/?pageID=cartwrightTour
Drake University has provided a virtual tour that allows you to walk through both law buildings. There is
also a link on the website to tour the legal clinic.
Drexel University
http://drexel.edu/law/law-building.asp
Drexel University opened its new law building in 2007. This website includes limited photos of the new
building, links to stories about the law building, and a description of the facilities.
Duke University
http://www.law.duke.edu/about/building/history
Duke University has been the process of renovating its law school since at least 2005, adding a commons
and renovating the law library. This website describes the buildings and links to photo galleries, video,
and webcam classics.
Elon University
http://www.elon.edu/e-web/law/facilities/
In 2006, Elon University completed renovations to the building the school would come to occupy. While
the description of the renovation is limited, the website provides photos of almost of all of the spaces in
the law school.
University of Florida
http://www.law.ufl.edu/expansion/index.shtml
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The University of Florida completed an expansion project in 2005 which allowed them to have greater
space for classrooms, conference space and the law library in 2005. This website details that project and
provides a virtual tour, construction plans, timeline and photo gallery of the improvements.
Florida A&M University
http://law.famu.edu/go.cfm/do/Page.View/pid/131
In 2006, Florida A&M moved into its new facilities which are described by the website above.
Furthermore, from the school’s FAQ page you can also access a YouTube video of the new school.
Florida Costal
http://www.fcsl.edu/360tour/
Florida Costal School of Law provides an interesting visual and information tour of school with this 360
degree tour.
Florida International University
http://law.lawnet.fiu.edu/index.php?option=com_exposeprive&Itemid=346
Florida International provides what it calls a “quick building tour” via a large photo gallery of the interior of
the law school. There is a similar site for the exterior of the building as well.
Florida State University
http://www.law.fsu.edu/prospective_students/BuildingPlans.pdf
Florida State University appears to have planned to renovate a vacated 1st District Court of Appeals
building in order to expand their facilities. The above website provides the plans by the architect with
some description of the planned renovation
Fordham University
http://law.fordham.edu/alumni/8444.htm
The University has plans to build a new law school at the completion of a capital campaign. This website
includes information about the design of the new building and renderings of new spaces inside the
building. There is also a video of plans for the exterior of the building.
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Franklin Pierce Law Center
http://www.piercelaw.edu/news/posts/2008-11-26-new-courtroom-open-house-dec-9.php
This website provides a brief overview of the renovation of Franklin Pierce Law’s new courtroom, which
was completed in 2008.
George Mason University
http://www.law.gmu.edu/about/virtual_tour
This website provides a video which contains a brief visual introduction to the interior and exterior of the
law building but also provides a walking tour with plans of each level of the law school.
Georgetown University
www.law.georgetown.edu/ccp/notes.html
Georgetown Law Center completed construction of the Hotung International Building in fall 2004. Visit the
website to see construction notes, take an architectural tour, view a construction movie, and visit the
project architects. The law school also provides a virtual tour of the law school campus with descriptions
of each of the buildings.
University of Georgia
http://www.lawsch.uga.edu/georgia-law-virtual-tour
The University of Georgia provides a virtual tour via use of slideshows, videos, and 360 degree views of
the law school.
Georgia State University
http://law.gsu.edu/building/
In addition to renovating its law library in 2003, Georgia State University appears to be in the planning
stages for a new law building. On this website, the school outlines its design considerations for the new
building.
Harvard University
http://green.harvard.edu/theresource/case-studies/index.php?nid=584
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In 2008 Harvard completed renovation of several spaces in Griswold Hall that received a LEED
Certification - Platinum. This website provides a description and pictures of the improvements. .
University of Idaho
http://www.law.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=%20105267
The University of Idaho completed renovation of its courtroom in 2008, which this website describes.
However, the website does not provide any pictures.
Indiana University Indianapolis
http://indylaw.indiana.edu/ext_aff/inlowhall.htm
While this is perhaps not a true virtual tour, the site does provide excellent pictures of the interior of its
building and description of the facilities
University of Iowa
http://www.law.uiowa.edu/library/tourboyd.php
The University of Iowa provides a detailed virtual tour of its law library.
University of Kentucky
http://www.law.uky.edu/index.php?pid=115
This website describes, and provides some renderings of, a new law school that the University of
Kentucky plans to inhabit by 2012.
Liberty University
http://law.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18456&artid=12459
In 2009, Liberty University completed Phase III of construction on a new section of the law school. This
website describes the improvements and provides photos of the new space.
University of Louisville
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http://www.law.louisville.edu/node/1099
In 2007, the University of Louisville completed renovation of two of its classrooms. The website here
shows pictures and a description of the completed rooms.
Loyola University New Orleans
http://www.loyno.edu/news/story/2008/9/8/1567
http://www.loyno.edu/news/story/2007/4/9/1245
Loyola University New Orleans has completed two expansions of the law school – one in 2007 and the
other in 2008. The above news stories describe the completed construction of a new wing on the law
school and the planned renovation of a newly purchased building that will house office space and a law
clinic.
Marquette University
http://law.marquette.edu/ecksteinhall/
Marquette Material
for Bricks & Bytes Book.pdf
Marquette broke ground for a new building a new law school in 2008. This website links viewers to
blueprints of the building, photos of the construction, a webcam, and time lapse video and provides a brief
description of some of its special features.
University of Maryland
http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/librarynews/announcement.html?id=77
The University of Maryland Law Library renovated a computer lab in 2008-2009. The article describes a
general plan, but it does not provide any pictures.
McGeorge University of the Pacific
http://www.mcgeorge.edu/Documents/library/Legal%20Studies%20Center%20Schedule%20and%20Map
.pdf
This .pdf provides a map of the law library at McGeorge University and provides a timeline and some
description of planned renovation. The law school also provides a virtual tour.
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University of Memphis
http://www.memphis.edu/lawdevelopment/downtown.htm
The University of Memphis is planning to move its law school to a downtown location. As part of this
process they purchased and have begun renovating a new building. This website describes the move,
the building, and contains construction photo updates and plans for each of the floors of the new law
school.
University of Michigan
http://www.law.umich.edu/buildingproject/Pages/home.aspx
The University of Michigan has just begun construction on a new law building. This website details the
progress, including a construction timeline, updates, and multimedia. The law school also maintains a
virtual tour of its current space.
University of Mississippi
http://www.umlawcampaign.com/
The University of Mississippi will occupy its new law school in the fall of 2010. You will find descriptions
of the plans and the fundraising campaign at this webpage along with a link to a live webcam so you can
watch the construction.
Mississippi College
http://law.mc.edu/about/tour.htm
Mississippi College of Law’s moved into a new downtown building in 2005. The above website provides a
slideshow virtual tour of the building include descriptions of exterior and interior spaces.
University of Missouri Columbia
http://law.missouri.edu/about/virtual-tour/index.html
The University of Missouri provides a slide show virtual tour of their campus on their website.
University of Missouri Kansas City
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http://www.umkc.edu/news/news-release.asp?id=447
The University of Missouri released a news article describing the completion of their courtroom renovation
in 2006.
University of Montana
http://www.umt.edu/law/building/default.htm
The University of Montana began construction of a new addition to the law school in early 2008 and
completed the in 2009. This website provides photos of the completed addition, construction photos, a
description of the space and floor plans.
University of Nebraska
http://law.unl.edu/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=3568&name=DLFE-1638.pdf
This document describes the planned (and now nearly completed) renovation and expansion of the law
school and also provides at least one photo of the construction in progress.
New York Law School
http://www.nyls.edu/about_the_school/our_campus
New York Law School broke ground on a new building for its TriBeCa campus in 2006 and completed the
construction in 2009. This website also notes that the school will begin renovation of the law’s school’s
other three schools “
North Carolina Central University
http://web.nccu.edu/law/technology/classrooms.html
This North Carolina Central website indicates the law school built an addition and renovated much of its
building; however, there is little additional information describing the project here.
University of North Dakota
http://www.law.und.edu/Alumni/211Renovation/
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In 2006, the University of North Dakota renovated one of its classrooms. This website describes the
improvements and has photographs detailing the construction. The law library also has a photo archive
of renovations it completed in 2003.
Northeastern University
http://www.slaw.neu.edu/albums/2008/dockser-10/
The school of law recently completed a massive renovation of one of its buildings and is beginning
renovations of another. This website contains current and construction photos of the new building.
Northwestern University
http://www.law.northwestern.edu/virtualtour/
Northwestern has provided a virtual tour of their buildings.
Notre Dame
http://law.nd.edu/about/law-school-expansion
Notre Dame moved into a new law building in 2009. This website provides a video, virtual tour, and other
information about the new building.
University of Oklahoma
http://jay.law.ou.edu/virtour/
The University of Oklahoma’s virtual tour includes 360 degree views and slide shows of the facilities.
Oklahoma City University
http://www.okcu.edu/Law/lawlib/pdfs/Spring2005.pdf
The law school renovated part of the law library in 2005. This pdf, on page one, provides a brief
description and a couple of pictures.
Pace University
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http://www.ecampustours.com/VirtualTours/Default.aspx?FafsaCode=002727-99&login=false
This article describes the renovation of the law library that was completed in 2007. It also provides a
couple of photographs. .
University of Pennsylvania
http://www.law.upenn.edu/about/newbuilding/index.html
The University of Pennsylvania is planning on constructing a new law school. This website contains
renderings of the new building, cost and other facts related to the building’s construction and a timeline.
The school also has a virtual tour of the current building.
Pennsylvania State University
http://law.psu.edu/_file/news/PennStateDickinson.pdf
In 2009, the law school celebrated the opening of a new building. This website includes architectural
drawings and a brief explanation of the design.
Pepperdine University
http://law.pepperdine.edu/tour/
Pepperdine University provides a virtual tour of its law building.
Regent Law
http://www.regent.edu/acad/schlaw/library/guests/renovationmain.cfm
Regent Law renovated its law library in 2008. This website shows the construction photos and video but
does not describe much detail about the project.
Rutgers University Camden
http://camlaw.rutgers.edu/building-excellence
Rutgers-Camden opened a new building in 2009. This website contains pictures of the exterior and
interior spaces and provides a brief description of the new space and links to the dedication of the new
building.
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St. John’s University
http://www.stjohns.edu/academics/graduate/law/news/pr_law_080624.news_item@digest.stjohns.edu%2
Facademics%2Fgraduate%2Flaw%2Fpr_law_080624.xml
This website describes St. John’s University’s improvement to several classrooms and construction of a
new writing center in 2008. The law school also has a virtual tour.
St. Mary’s University
http://www.stmarytx.edu/law/pdf/2006_2007/Moot_Courtroom_Brochure.pdf
In 2006, St. Mary’s University completed its renovation of the moot courtroom. This brochure provides
renderings of the proposed renovation and a description of the project.
University of St. Thomas Minnesota
http://www.stthomas.edu/bulletin/2002/09/25/construction-continues-on-schedule-for-the-st-thomasschool-of-law-building/
The University of St.Thomas moved into a new building in 2003. Though this article is from before the
building was complete, this article describes the project better and shows pictures of the construction.
Santa Clara University
http://law.scu.edu/blog/officialannouncements/bannan-hall-plans.cfm
In 2008, the law school renovated the 3rd floor of another building to add classroom and faculty space.
This website briefly describes the construction.
Seattle University
http://www.law.seattleu.edu/The_School/Annex.xml
The University of Seattle is currently in the process of building a new annex to the law school that is
scheduled for completion in 2010. This website describes the project and provides updates on the
construction progress, a rendering of the final product and photos of the construction. The law school
also provides a virtual tour of Sullivan Hall.
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University of South Carolina
http://law.sc.edu/building_campaign/
The University of South Carolina is planning to build a new law school. This website provides renderings
and a “3D fly through” of the proposed building.
Southern University
http://www.sulc.edu/news/pdf/enewslayout162_1.pdf
In 2008, Southern University broke ground on a new expansion to the law school. This article briefly
describes their plans and provides a rendering of the new space. This project may now be completed.
University of Southern California
http://law.usc.edu/library/map/virtualtour.cfm
This is one of the better law library virtual tours and it indicates that the law library was renovated “this
summer.”
Southern Illinois University
http://www.lib.siu.edu/renovation/overview
Southern Illinois University began renovation of the law library in 2006. This website provides details of
the renovation, a 3D rendering of the new exterior and 1st Floor, and links to the architect’s website. It
appears that this project should be completed as of December 2009.
Southwestern University
www.swlaw.edu/campus
Southwestern is notable for its renovation of a pre-existing post-war department store into a law school.
Although the website simply offers a look at the campus as completed, SW demonstrates that there are
alternatives to new construction.
Stanford University
http://www.law.stanford.edu/school/campus/academic_building/
Stanford University is planning to build a new law school building. This website provides details of the
plan, a photo slide show, floor plans and fundraising information.
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Suffolk University
http://www.law.suffolk.edu/about/virtour.cfm
Suffolk University offers a video tour of their school in either QuickTime or Real Player.
University of Texas
http://www.utexas.edu/law/about/townes.html
In 2006, the University of Texas renovated their dining court. A brief description is provided here.
Texas Wesleyan University
http://www.law.txwes.edu/ProspectiveStudents/AboutTexasWesleyanLaw/Facilities/tabid/110/Default.asp
x
This article briefly describes renovations and an expansion to space at Texas Wesleyan University that
were completed in 2005. In this case, the University added classroom space, a conference center, and a
Lecture hall.
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
http://www.tjsl.edu/new-campus
Thomas Jefferson School of Law expects to move into a new building in early 2011. This website details
construction progress through updates, a webcam, and a rendering of the soon-to-be completed building.
Thomas M. Cooley
http://www.tjsl.edu/new-campus
In 2006, Thomas M. Cooley law school completed construction on its Lansing facilities. Furthermore, in
2009 the law school celebrated its expansion and renovation at its Auburn Hills location.
Touro
http://www.tourolaw.edu/CI/
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In 2007, Touro law moved into a new building. This website includes photos of the completed building
and construction updates.
Valparaiso University
http://www.valpo.edu/law/heritagehall/index.php
This website provides limited information about the renovation of a law school building.
Villanova University
http://lawweb2009.law.villanova.edu/About%20VLS/The%20Campus.aspx
In 2009, Villanova opened a new law building. This website only briefly describes the new building.
However, the law school also provides a video virtual tour of their campus and buildings.
University of Virginia
http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/news/2008_fall/construction.htm
The University of Virginia completed construction that added faculty offices in 2008. The university also
provides a video tour of the law school.
Washburn University School of Law
washburnlaw.edu/remodel/
In 2004 Washburn University remodeled several classrooms and other spaces within its pre-existing
building. The site contains a description of the project and photographs of the remodel.
University of Washington
www.law.washington.edu/GatesHall/Default.aspx
In 2003, the UW School of Law moved into a newly built facility on the University of Washington main
campus, William H. Gates Hall. The website features descriptions of the building and its technology and
photographs of the construction process.
Washington and Lee University
http://law.wlu.edu/mootcourtroom/
Washington and Lee University completed renovation of their Moot Court Room in 2006. On this website
there are periodic photo updates of the construction as well as floor plans and the architect’s renderings.
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Washington University
http://law.wustl.edu/Alumni/Magazine/Fall2008/construction.pdf
This article outlines a renovation of one of the law school’s buildings and the completion of another in
2008. However, no detail project descriptions are provided.
Western New England College
http://www1.wnec.edu/aboutus/index.cfm?selection=doc.579&dropmenu=prospective
Though there is no other information provided about the scope of the project, the law school was
renovated and expanded its facilities in 2008.
Widener Law
http://law.widener.edu/Spiffs/CampusProfiles/PitRenovations.aspx
In 2008, the Widener-Harrisburg campus completed renovation of the student lounge. This website
provides a description of the renovation and a video slide show of the construction in progress.
College of William and Mary
http://law.wm.edu/news/stories/2009/law-school-completes-major-mcglothlin-courtroom-renovationproject-.php
The College of William and Mary recently completed renovation of its courtroom in 2009. This article
discusses the room, the technology, and a few pictures of the construction and the final product.
William Mitchell
http://www.wmitchell.edu/news/articles/default.asp?articleId=10188
In 2003, the law school started a 15 million dollar construction and renovation project. This web page
briefly discusses the scope of the project.
University of Wisconsin
http://law.wisc.edu/about/tour/commons.html
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The law school maintains a virtual tour of the law school’s facilities.
University of Wyoming
http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/law/newsletter/2008/02_February/constructionUpdate.htm
The University of Wyoming broke ground on a new addition to the law school in 2008. This website
provides renderings of the new addition and information about the architect.
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