Page 16 - Briefcase Volume 38 Number 1

DONORS

STANLEY

BLEND ’67

PASSION FOR

TAX LAW

A KEY MOTIVATOR FOR STANLEY

BLEND TO GIVE TO LAW CENTER
BUILDING CAMPAIGN

Stanley Blend went to law school on an impulse, large closet. I vowed at that time that if I ever had the
applying the summer before his acceptance to the then- fiscal opportunity, I would help the law school have a
Bates College of Law. The 1967 graduate realized he building that was equal to its faculty and student body.”
made the correct decision early in the first semester I have always supported the law school, even when I
of his 1L year. did not have the finances, because it directed me into
“The professors made it a challenge and made me tax law which has been professionally and financially
think,” Blend said. “I quickly developed new friends rewarding to me and my family.”
like John O’Quinn, and classmates who could bring When Blend had a chance and ability to make good
the best out of each other.” on that vow to himself, he jumped at the opportunity.

Blend serves as senior counsel at Clark Hill in San He became a member of the Cornerstone Club, a vital
Antonio. His practice involves federal income and fundraising and leadership arm of the Law Center’s
estate tax planning, state sales tax and margin tax building campaign. He has also hosted a number of
planning, federal income and estate tax controversy events in San Antonio to encourage alumni support.
and mergers and acquisitions negotiations. He said For his philanthropy, the Business and Tax Law Journal
he gravitated towards tax law because of the teaching office will bear his name in the new Law Center facility.
of Professor Jim Wright. “I was one of the first to commit to the fundraising
“He made us realize that tax was a creative law in campaign,” he said. “How could I say no to the Dean,
which one could plan creatively,” Blend said. who I find to be a compassionate, professional and
However, Blend pointed to a single drawback from dynamic leader?”
his time as a law student - facilities. “We are lucky to have him and with this new building,
“We always felt like second-class citizens because I do not believe we will have to consider ourselves
our school was in the basement of the MD Anderson ’second-class citizens’ ever again.”
Library. Our Law Review office was the size of a

16 UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW CENTER