Page 12 - 2021 UHLC Annual Report

Building Donor: Senator Royce West

African American Law Heritage Classroom reflects the
West family's dedication to diversity and legal education

students to know that African American alums have contributed
to the construction and the programming of the Law Center.”
“Representation matters for young people,” Carol West
added. “It benefits them academically and emotionally. What
they learn and what they are exposed to helps to shape their
mindsets and sets their expectations to a much higher level.
It helps when they understand that someone who shares their
interests has benefitted and is shaping a way for them.”
In addition to the Heritage Classroom, the Wests have also
provided generous support for the Law Center’s Pre-Law
Pipeline Program and the Black Law Alumni Scholarship.

“Attending a pre-law program or law school allows people
to gain skills that are important in everyday life,” Carol West
said. “Knowing the legalities of various situations that you
may come across is critical to protecting your assets and other
interests. Having legal knowledge, in particular business law,
helps us in our everyday situations and decision-making.”

“To whom much is given — and the Law Center has given us
a lot in terms of a legal education — much is required,” Royce
West said. “Being able to provide financial resources to enable
young minds to be developed and ultimately become leaders
within the profession is very important.”
Royce West pointed to fond Law Center memories of Elwyn
C. Lee, a former professor and the current Vice President
After Royce West obtained his master’s degree in sociology, he for Community Relations and Institutional Access at the
University of Houston.
envisioned a career working as a social worker or social scientist.
The 1979 graduate of the University of Houston Law Center soon “It was great to be able to relate to a professor,” Royce West said.
realized he needed to be an advocate in the courtroom and other “Not just because of the color of his skin, but just being able to talk
venues to accomplish his career ambitions. to him. He didn’t do us any favors as students, but we were able
“I wanted to stand up for people’s rights by being equipped with to speak with him about different issues and perspectives we had
in terms of practicing law. He, by far, was the law professor that I
the knowledge, skill sets and tools one gains while attending admired, and our friendship endures today.”
law school,” Royce West said. “As a graduate of the UH Law
Center, I have been in a position to help people that needed Royce and Carol West believe that the power of a law degree is
representation at different points of their lives.” a great advantage for people interested in public office.
Royce West currently serves as State Senator for District 23 in his “A legal background benefits one in public office because it
native Dallas County, a role he has held since 1993. He is also the is usually in direct correlation with the main interests of the
Managing Partner of West & Associates, L.L.P., a firm with multiple constituents – especially while addressing criminal justice and
practice areas and locations in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. civil rights,” Carol West said. “Having a legal background helps

Alongside his wife Carol West, the two have made several you to serve the community by not only understanding the
common issues people face but also being able to educate and
contributions to the Law Center that will enhance the legal formulate strategies to address those issues.”
education of students for generations to come. The Royce ‘79
and Carol West African American Law Heritage Classroom “Being a lawyer gives me maximum flexibility,” added Royce
will be in the new John M. O’Quinn Law Building. West. “The skills developed in law school give me the ability to
“Diversity, equity and inclusion are very important to us,” Royce be an orator, to think on my feet and argue a point of view. It
allows me to disagree without being disagreeable.”
West said. “I want students of African American descent and all

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