FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas School of Law courtroom was torn down today as part of the phase II expansion of the Leflar Law Center.

The courtroom was built in 1951 as part of Waterman Hall, which is now located in the Leflar Law Center. Waterman Hall was named after the late Dean Julian S. Waterman, a native of Pine Bluff, Ark., who founded the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1924. Dean Waterman served as the Law School's first dean until his death in 1943.

For 55 years the courtroom was the venue for debate, legal education and mock trials. Former President Bill Clinton, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater and U.S. Justice Ruth Ginsberg - all have lectured or participated in mock trials in this courtroom.

Dean Cyndi Nance

“The tearing down of the courtroom is bittersweet,” Dean Cyndi Nance said. “On one hand, we're excited about the future of the law school and the amenities that our new courtroom will offer our students in furthering their legal education. On the other hand, this courtroom was a place where a lot of our graduates started their careers, and therefore we are also sad to see a part of our past gone.”

The new E. J. Ball Courtroom will be opened on Aug. 15, said Dean Cyndi Nance. There will be a formal building dedication in fall 2007, when the entire 64,000-square-foot addition is complete.