Law School Property Transfer

Possession of the former U.S. Customs House/Post Office building in downtown Memphis has been formally transferred from the federal government to state government for its use as the new law school for the University of Memphis.  The transfer took place December 3, 2007.

          Renovation of the historic building, which sits at the intersection of Front Street and Monroe Avenue in Memphis, overlooking the Mississippi River, will begin immediately, with occupation by the 500 students and faculty of the University’s Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law expected in the fall of 2009.   Converting the building from its former use to a classroom building will cost approximately $42 million, funded by Tennessee as a capital outlay project.

          A $12 million private development campaign has thus far raised commitments of $9.8 million from the legal and business communities of Memphis, as well as local foundations.  That money will cover the cost of the move of the U.S. Postal Service operations from the old Post Office to different facilities in Memphis and will increase the law school’s endowment fund.