El Paso, Texas – The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) took a major step toward expanding legal education in the Borderlands when the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation pledged a $5 million matching grant. The grant will contribute one dollar for every dollar donated by local individuals, businesses and organizations, potentially doubling contributions to a total of $10 million.
Matching challenge fuels community support
UTEP announced Wednesday that the Hunt Foundation’s challenge is designed to encourage El Paso residents and regional partners to rally behind the university’s vision for a law school. If the full $5 million match is secured, the combined $10 million will be a cornerstone of the $20 million startup funding goal the university set for the project.
Since UTEP first disclosed its intention to create a law school, a wave of local philanthropy has already begun. In October 2025, the Paul L. Foster Family Foundation launched a similar $5 million matching challenge, and in April of this year law firm Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro, P.C. committed another $5 million. Those contributions, together with the new Hunt grant, place the initiative roughly halfway to its target.
Legislative plan and long‑term funding
UTEP plans to present its law‑school proposal to the Texas Legislature in 2027. The proposal follows a 2023 legislative‑funded study that estimated the school would need $20 million in operating support over the next 20 years. The university is also asking the legislature to fund the construction of a dedicated building for the law school.
Benefits for the Borderland community
University officials say a law school in El Paso would address a critical shortage of bilingual attorneys who can serve families and businesses on both sides of the border. The curriculum is expected to include specialized courses in contracts, estates, taxation, international trade, customs, immigration and international water law.
UTEP is also exploring an accelerated degree path that would allow qualified undergraduates to begin law studies during their fourth year of college. A long‑term goal includes an evening Master of Laws program tailored for attorneys trained in Mexico who wish to practice in the United States.
Timeline and enrollment outlook
If the funding plan moves forward, UTEP aims to admit its first cohort of law students in 2030, with an eventual enrollment target of 100 new students each year. The school’s presence is expected to create additional jobs, stimulate local legal services and provide new opportunities for El Paso’s growing professional class.
Community leaders have welcomed the initiative, noting that a law school would not only enhance educational options but also strengthen the region’s capacity to navigate cross‑border legal matters, a vital component of the local economy.
Next steps
UTEP will continue to solicit matching donations from the community while preparing its legislative brief. The university encourages residents, businesses and civic groups to contribute, knowing each dollar will be matched dollar‑for‑dollar through the Hunt Foundation’s challenge.
For more information on how to donate or to learn about upcoming informational sessions, visit UTEP’s official website.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
