The W. P. Carey Foundation, one of the leading philanthropic supporters of educational institutions, has made a $125 million gift to the law school at the University of Pennsylvania, the largest gift ever in legal education.
This momentous gift allows the school to build upon its already strong and highly recognized academic programs, attracting the most talented students and preparing them for success as lawyers and leaders after graduation.
“The Carey Foundation’s historic gift will further elevate an outstanding multidisciplinary program of legal education at the University of Pennsylvania,” said Penn President Amy Gutmann. “Through this partnership their philanthropy will benefit generations of law students, the profession, and the rule of law. We are grateful for and inspired by their leadership and their commitment to the University.”
The gift reinforces this globally recognized and respected institution by providing funding for some of its top priorities, including:
- An increase in student financial support, ensuring robust resources for historically underrepresented students
- Expansion of one of the most longstanding and rigorous pro bono programs of any peer law school
- Continued recruitment of leading legal scholars to the school’s faculty
- Further investment in innovative interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial programming
- An enhanced program of career support and lifetime learning for alumni
This gift will allow the University to support the newly launched Future of the Profession Initiative, an innovative program that sponsors research and programming to ensure that law students, and the School’s curriculum and teaching, remain at the forefront of the economic and technological changes that will reshape the practice of law and legal education. Thus, the Law School will build upon an exceptional record of preparing graduates to succeed in the legal profession, as the school leads the nation in new graduates’ employment outcomes.
In recognition of the Foundation’s generosity and in honor of the Carey family and its long-term involvement with Penn, the school will be named the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.
The W. P. Carey Foundation shares Penn’s fundamental conviction that the study of law must be connected with the insights of other disciplines. This gift will bolster cross-disciplinary opportunities for law students at Penn’s 11 other top-ranked graduate and professional schools, preparing the next generation of leaders in the law, business, government, and in the public interest.”William P. Carey II, WG’19, Chairman of the W. P. Carey Foundation
Now begins an important moment for the Law School, as this historic donation goes to work in shaping unparalleled opportunities for our students and faculty. There has never been a better time to support the School, to build upon the momentum brought about by this gift and to play a role in shaping the profession for the future.
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