DePaul University Renames Law School for Robert A. Clifford
The institution is honoring the legal scholar following a significant $30 million contribution from his family.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Philanthropy
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DePaul University is renaming its College of Law to honor Robert A. Clifford after receiving a $30 million gift from Robert and Joan Clifford. The donation serves to expand legal training and support academic initiatives at the Chicago institution.
Why it matters
The gift aims to elevate the law school's profile while funding critical resources for future attorneys. It specifically creates new avenues for professional training and financial support for law students and faculty.
The $30 million donation supports the launch of the Robert A. Clifford Trial Advocacy, Litigation, and Negotiation Center. This follows a career marked by Clifford Law Offices recovering more than $5 billion in various legal verdicts.
The players
Robert A. Clifford
He is a DePaul Life Trustee and the founder of Clifford Law Offices who has a long history of litigation work.
Joan Clifford
She is the co-donor of the $30 million gift provided to DePaul University to support the law school.
DePaul University
This Chicago-based institution is home to the renamed College of Law and manages the new endowment funds.
The details
The funding establishes the Robert A. Clifford Trial Advocacy, Litigation, and Negotiation Center to enhance skills-oriented training. Additionally, the university will launch Clifford Excellence Scholarships and Clifford Distinguished Faculty Fellows programs to bolster research and student success.
Timeline
Robert Clifford began representing victims of plane crashes in 1979.
Clifford Law Offices was founded in 1984.
The Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX8 crash litigation took place in 2019.
Robert Clifford celebrates his 50th law school reunion in October 2026.
Market Landscape
This contribution reflects a broader trend of private donors shaping the specialized focus of legal education through targeted naming rights. It positions DePaul University as a competitive hub for trial advocacy training compared to other regional law schools.
Current and prospective law students at DePaul will gain access to new scholarship opportunities and expanded clinical training facilities. These changes are designed to improve the practical preparation of students entering the competitive Chicago legal market.
The takeaway
Large-scale philanthropic gifts to universities often serve as a catalyst for creating specialized academic centers that define a school's reputation. Students and faculty can expect a greater emphasis on litigation and advocacy skills as these new programs take shape.
Further reading
For more on local initiatives, see Chicago Philanthropy.
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