Joe Jamail, one of Forbes magazine's 400 richest Americans, said he owes the University.
"I'd be peddling bananas if it wasn't for this place," Jamail said.
One of the UT School of Law's most prominent alumni and prolific benefactors, Jamail will celebrate the release of his new book, "Lawyer - My Trials and Jubilations," with a reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the University of Texas Club on the seventh floor of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium's east side.
Jamail, known in the legal profession as the "King of Torts," is one of the University's leading donors.
"Joe Jamail has been our most significant and generous benefactor. His contributions, both in terms of financial support and advice, have been crucial in allowing the law school to remain among the nation's premier institutions," said Steven Goode, associate dean for academic affairs at the UT School of Law.
Jamail's influence extends beyond the law school, however. Susan Kessler, associate executive director of Texas Exes, said Jamail and his wife, Lee, recently contributed $1 million toward a "challenge grant" designed to provide four-year scholarships for minority students.
Kessler said when the Hopwood decision prevented the University from awarding minority-oriented scholarships, the Jamails stepped in, helping Texas Exes provide scholarships for 33 minority students at the University.
"It really filled an immediate need at a time when the University couldn't do a thing about it," Kessler said.
Goode said it would be very difficult to measure the vastness of the contributions made by Jamail and his wife.
"His support has been so widespread throughout the University, I don't think any one person could track it down," Goode said.
A simple trek around campus might help one understand the extent of Jamail's contributions. The football stadium field bears Jamail's name, as do the Joe Jamail Swimming Center and the Joseph D. Jamail Center for Legal Research.
Best known for winning a multibillion-dollar lawsuit against Texaco in 1985, Jamail said he prefers not to dwell on his financial success.
"There's no vaults where I'm going, above or below," Jamail said. He said he hopes to leave behind a legacy of standing up for justice, both for large companies and for private citizens.
"I've represented some of the biggest companies in America, but that's not nearly as interesting as helping those who are helpless," Jamail said.
He encouraged students planning a career in law to be passionate about the endeavor.
"If you can't feel it, go do something else," Jamail said. "Believe in it, be dedicated to it, don't dishonor it. And if you're in it for the money, go be a proctologist."
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