Texas HB tries for RGV law school

State Rep. is “confident” about the chances of HB 2088

A proposed law school at UTRGV could bring legal education to South Texas, addressing a shortage of attorneys and giving students an affordable path to law school without leaving the region, according to a state legislator.

State Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez (D-Weslaco) introduced House Bill 2088 on Jan. 24, which would establish a law school in the Rio Grande Valley. While similar bills have passed the Texas House of Representatives multiple times, such as HB 695 in March 2021, they have failed to clear the Senate. Martinez is “confident” about its chances this session.

“There’s definitely a need for a law school, especially in this geographic area,” the representative said. “The student demand is there and it just looks feasible.”

The bill, with 25% progression, was referred to the House Higher Education Committee March 14.

The Rio Grande Valley has fewer attorneys per capita than major Texas cities. In Austin, the ratio is one attorney per 172 residents, compared to one per 805 residents in McAllen, Edinburg and Mission, according to Martinez.

“The state ratio is one attorney per 311 residents,” he said. “That’s a huge disparity when you look at border areas like the Valley, where it’s more than double.”

The nearest law schools are in San Antonio, Austin and Houston, making law school financially and logistically challenging for many Valley students, according to Martinez.

Philosophy junior Leyla Garza, a pre-law student, said it would be an amazing opportunity to have a law school in the region.

“I love UTRGV; I love the campus, but I never really thought of it being a possibility that a law school would be made here,” Garza said. “I feel like it would benefit me in a very positive way because, if I ever decided that I wanted to go to law school at UTRGV, I could, instead of just moving away and going somewhere like Baylor or St. Mary’s.”

While UTRGV does not have a formal pre-law major, 200 to 300 graduates apply to law school each year, according to Andrew Smith, pre-law advisor for the Edinburg campus and a political science assistant professor.

“Having a law school in the Valley would significantly reduce costs for students,” Smith said. “Right now, students not only pay high tuition but also have to relocate. That’s a major obstacle.”

Garza said if a law school were in the Valley, she would consider starting her career in the area.

“Just because I feel more comfortable living here in my hometown as opposed to in a big city and because I’m kind of familiar with the lawyers here already,” she said.

Smith said a law school could also increase interest in legal careers, provide pre-law coursework, and create partnerships between undergraduate and law programs.

If the bill passes, Martinez said he estimates a law school could be operational within a year. He also confirmed that UTRGV is in discussions with St. Mary’s School of Law about offering courses in the Valley.

“There are so many ways we can provide legal education now,” Martinez said. “It doesn’t have to be a traditional setup. Online and hybrid courses could be part of the solution.”

The state representative compared the effort to the UTRGV School of Medicine’s, which he said retains about 80% of its graduates in the region. He believes a law school would have the same effect, helping to keep attorneys in South Texas.

“There are still a lot of moving parts,” Martinez said. “But the need is undeniable.”