The Law School celebrated the renovation of the reception area of the Alabama Law Institute and named it the Thomas L. Jones Reception Area.
During the ceremony, Dean Mark E. Brandon expressed his gratitude for Professor Jones and for the profound effect he has had on the Law School.
“As a teacher and as an administrator, he has had an enormous impact on more than three generations of students,” he said. “I know. I was in his classroom, and I was his student.”
Othni Lathram, Director of the Alabama Law Institute, also was a student in Professor Jones’s classroom.
“He demonstrates to all those watching that a lawyer should be prepared, knowledgeable, thorough, persuasive and firm — but all the while, most importantly, being gentle, calm and compassionate. He is a gentleman of the first order.”
Alumni, friends and family donated nearly $165,000 to the project, and a portion of the funds was used to create the Thomas L. Jones Endowed Scholarship.
The reception area has a suspended drop ceiling with LED work lights and LED spot lights. The workflow for the area was improved with office furniture and guest seating. The renovations include a glass door, campus art and a portrait of Professor Jones. New carpet was installed in the entire suite, which has three offices, a conference room and a reception area.
Professor Jones was appointed Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama School of Law in 1962. He served in virtually every position available to a member of the UA Law faculty, including Acting Dean and Vice Dean. He was an integral part of the Alabama Law Institute, serving as the Acting Director from 1972 to 1974. He was on numerous ALI committees, both as a reporter and a member, from 1980 to 2013.
