The University of Memphis announced that the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law will move to the former U.S. Customs House and U.S. Post Office on North Front Street in downtown Memphis.
The U of M expects to offer classes in the newly renovated school sometime in 2009.
"We want to thank Sen. (Bill) Frist and Postmaster General (John) Potter for their roles in making this possible," said Curt Guenther, U of M communications director in a press release. "This development represents an agreement among The U of M, the city of Memphis, the state of Tennessee and the United States Postal Service."
The Postal Service will sell the building to The U of M for an estimated $5.3 million.
The U of M has hired a full-time fund-raiser service in preparation for the move and expects to raise the purchase price through private donors.
The U of M has been in negotiations for the move with the Postal Service since March 2005, which have largely been led by Frist.
The move was announced in Washington, D.C., during a meeting between Frist, Postmaster General and USPS CEO John Potter, U of M President Shirley Raines and several Memphis area developers.
The planned move is still pending approval of funds for the state legislature and governor who still have to sign off on an estimated $42 million dollars in order to renovate the building.
"Future law students at The University of Memphis will be able to study in a beautiful historic building that has a background closely associated with law," Guenther said. "They will also be taking their classes in close proximity to the offices of lawyers and judges."
Plans on what to with for the old law school building are still in the works.
"The existing law school building will continue to be used until that time," Guenther said. "Its use after the law school moves will be addressed by The University's master plan, so that it is used in the best way possible."
Guenther said the move will hopefully continue to help The U of M law school continue to build on prestige that includes the highest passage rate among first-time takers of the Tennessee bar exam.
"The University has operated an outstanding law school for many years, and the record of the school and its graduates proves the worth of the education they have received," Guenther said.
