DALLAS — In a recent issue, State Senator Royce West (D-Dallas) was named an “Impact Player” by Texas Lawyer Magazine. It is the second recognition in recent months for Sen. West by the publication that tracks and highlights various aspects of the legal profession statewide. In the Dec. 21 article titled, “The Impact Players of the Year – 2009,” Sen. West was credited as the driving force behind landing for Dallas, the first and only public law school in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro region.

“A public law school has always been part of my vision of bringing a higher education venue to the City of Dallas, said Senator West. “This university odyssey has been nearly 15 years in the making and to see it come together step-by-step, phase after phase, has been exceptionally rewarding. But more importantly, this law school, as a center of excellence within the University of North Texas at Dallas, will provide opportunities for generations to come as our city and region continues to grow and progress.”

The University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law will accept its first class beginning the Fall 2011 Semester. The law school will eventually be housed in Downtown Dallas at “Old City Hall” through a partnership with the City of Dallas. The article discusses Sen. West’s role, other key players involved and the stages needed to win legislative support and professional accreditation.

“It’s been a team effort all along. And I am thankful that we took the steps needed to first gain community support,” said Senator West. “At each critical juncture, representatives of the entire North Texas region turned out in numbers to push this initiative through the Legislature in a manner that helped convince my colleagues from across the state that it was worthy of their support.

“Then to be recognized by my professional peers further validates that my labor in the name of providing educational opportunities was effort well-spent,” Senator West added.

In its September 28 issue, Texas Lawyer named Senator West as one of 25 Extraordinary Minorities in Texas Law. The articles covered the contributions of members of the legal profession in government, private practice and corporate law.

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