Northern Kentucky Chase Law Will Open New Courtroom

Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University will unveil a new, state-of-the-art courtroom later this year.

Major funding for the courtroom being constructed on the first floor of Nunn Hall is being provided by the Chase College Foundation, which was established in 1954 when Chase was an independent law school in Cincinnati and which continues to support the college through the 71-year-old legacy fund it manages. Funding for specific features of the courtroom, such as the judicial bench, counsel tables and jury room, is being provided by alumni and friends of the college through a designated giving campaign.

When completed, the courtroom will be known as the Chase College Foundation Courtroom. Individuals’ designated donations will be acknowledged on a donor recognition panel.

“Chase students will benefit from a new, state-of-the-art courtroom because the students will now have had the opportunity to take a trial advocacy class or participate in a mock trial program where the type of technology available in many 21st century courtrooms will be available to them,” says Professor Jack Harrison, director of the Center for Excellence in Advocacy. “Also, with a modern, sophisticated courtroom available, the law school will be able to host actual trials where judges are willing to do a trial setting in the new courtroom.”  

In addition to use by students, the courtroom will be available for traveling sessions of the Supreme Court of Kentucky, the Kentucky Court of Appeals, commonwealth and federal trial and appellate courts, and community groups.

The courtroom will have all the technology, ancillary spaces and furnishings of a modern courtroom. Most of it will be funded by contributions from alumni and friends of the college. Among designated gifts are funding for each of 100 gallery chairs ($1,000 individually), 12 jurors chairs ($10,000 each), and the jury box ($100,000).

Questions about giving opportunities can be directed to David MacKnight, associate dean for advancement, at (859) 572-5276 or macknightd1@nku.edu.