Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Clarence Thomas will provide the keynote address as Mercer University School of Law dedicates its first-floor courtroom in honor of noted alumni Griffin Bell, ’48, and Frank Jones, ’50, on Monday, March 11.

The private dedication ceremony will take place beginning at 4 p.m. All seating in the Bell-Jones Courtroom is reserved; however, a live video stream to an overflow room will be available for faculty, staff, students, alumni and members of the local Bench and Bar.

“We are honored to have Supreme Court Justice Thomas serve as the keynote speaker for the courtroom dedication ceremony,” said Dean Cathy Cox. “It is sure to be a memorable event for the Mercer Law Community.”

The dedication will officially rename the first-floor courtroom the Griffin B. Bell and Frank C. Jones Courtroom.

“Both Judge Bell and Frank Jones left a lasting mark on the law and within the legal field,” said Cox. “I can think of no better way to honor two of our most accomplished alumni, and hope that as students enter the courtroom daily, they will be reminded that these Mercer Law legends have paved the way for them.”

Bell earned a law degree from Mercer in 1948 and an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University in 1967. He is best known for having served as the 72nd Attorney General of the United States under President Jimmy Carter. His appointment followed 14 years of distinguished service as a judge on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, where he was a leading voice in some of the court’s most enduring legal decisions.

Jones was a 1950 graduate of Mercer Law School, coming to Mercer after earning his bachelor’s degree at Emory University in 1947. He served as editor-in-chief of the Mercer Law Review. Following graduation from the University, Jones practiced in Macon until 1977 at the law firm now known as Jones, Cork & Miller, which was founded by his great-grandfather. Jones made partner there before joining King & Spalding in Atlanta, where he served as chairman of the Policy Committee and head of the Litigation Department.