Mercer University School of Law Dean Cathy Cox announced the establishment of the Griffin B. Bell and Frank C. Jones Fund for the Enhancement of Advocacy Education and Programs.

“Griffin Bell and Frank Jones are Mercer legends,” said President William D. Underwood. “They stand among the finest lawyers in the history of American jurisprudence. I am grateful to their former colleagues, great lawyers in their own right, and fellow law alums Dwight Davis, Paul Quiros and Doc Schneider for establishing this endowment to benefit future Mercer lawyers.”

The fund, created by Mercer Law alumni Davis, ’82, Quiros, ’82, and Schneider, ’81, and others, will be used to support and enhance advocacy education and programs. This includes both curricular and co-curricular activities such as trial practice, moot court, mock trial, client counseling and negotiation teams and competitions.

Additionally, the Law School will name the first-floor courtroom the Griffin B. Bell and Frank C. Jones Courtroom in honor of Bell, ’48, and Jones, ’50.

“We are deeply grateful for the support our dedicated alumni and friends are providing by creating this fund, which will allow us to strengthen our litigation and advocacy programs and better prepare our students for practice upon graduation,” said Cox.

“Griffin Bell and Frank Jones were titans of the Trial Bar for more than 50 years and the epitome of the ethical servant leaders that Mercer strives to produce,” said Davis. “Those of us who were fortunate to serve with and learn from these two giants felt it was most fitting to name the main courtroom at the Law School in their honor. It is our hope that future generations of lawyers will be inspired by the lives of Griffin Bell and Frank Jones and follow in their footsteps.”