The University of Cincinnati College of Law is getting a new name after landing a $43 million gift from an alumnus, his family and the law firm he founded, the Cincinnati Business Courier reported Monday. The donation will put the donor's name on the college and ranks as one of the largest single contributions the law program has ever received. The March 30, 2026 announcement comes as the college continues to grow its on-campus footprint and expand its experiential learning programs.
According to the Cincinnati Business Courier, the $43 million commitment comes from an alumnus and a family tied to a well known Cincinnati law firm, and the university intends to rename the college in their honor. Officials have not yet released a detailed breakdown of how the money will be used or a public timeline for when the new name will officially go up on the building.
Campus Context And Recent Upgrades
The college moved into its renovated home at 2925 Campus Green Drive after a $45.6 million overhaul wrapped in 2022, adding new classrooms, expanded library space and additional capacity for its legal clinics. According to the University of Cincinnati, those upgrades were designed to position UC Law for growth in hands on training, including clinic work that serves clients beyond campus.
Klekamp Family's Local Giving Record
The donor family is no stranger to writing big checks in Greater Cincinnati. In 2024, the family made a $60 million gift to Xavier University, the Cincinnati Business Courier reported. That earlier move highlighted a pattern of major institutional philanthropy by the family in the region.
Where Naming Gifts Often Go
The UC Foundation notes that gifts to the law college typically fuel scholarships, faculty positions and student programs that emphasize practical legal experience. According to the UC Foundation, endowments and other funds are commonly used to sustain legal clinics, create professorships and support both merit based and need based financial aid.
University leaders and representatives for the donors are expected to share a more detailed roadmap for the $43 million gift and the renaming process. Additional information is expected in formal statements and documentation, and this story will be updated as those materials are released.
