The University of Houston Law Center has received a $1.25 million gift from Alan F. Levin, a UHLC alumnus, and his wife, Diane, for the endowment of the Mediation Clinic to build upon and enhance mediation training for students.
In recognition of the gift, the mediation clinic and the reception area for all UHLC clinics will be named in the Levins’ honor.
“This very generous gift will be transformative in supercharging our already excellent mediation programming,” said UHLC Dean Leonard Baynes. “Together, the Levins and the UHLC will shepherd the next generation of legal mediators in the city of Houston, the state of Texas and the nation.”
Alan Levin is a 1969 graduate of the UHLC and was a classmate of the law building’s namesake, John M. O’Quinn, with both serving on the Houston Law Review’s editorial board. He launched his own firm, The Levin Law Group, P.C. in 1978, and during his long and distinguished career, Levin has handled over 10,500 mediation cases, helping parties resolve disputes amicably and fairly.
“My wife and I are deep believers in the mediation process, which I have pursued professionally for the past 37 years,” Levin said. “Whether it is war between two nations or a small local dispute, we are convinced that the peaceful resolution of conflict is the world’s most powerful hope for long term tranquility and prosperity.”
The mediation clinic, one of 13 specialized clinics at the UHLC, provides trained student mediators to the justice courts in Harris County where they mediate property disputes and breach of contract cases while developing their mediation and communication skills.
The Levins say they were thrilled to follow the examples of generosity provided to their beloved UHLC by friends and former classmates, including O’Quinn, The Honorable Alvin Zimmerman and Danny Sheena, whose gifts are paving the way for a new generation of legal scholars.
“We are delighted to underwrite the mediation clinic and its reception facility in the UHLC,” Levin said. “We envision an annual harvest of bright young minds trained with the skills to create a safer, happier and more respectful future for all.”