July 14th, 2020

T. Gerald Treece, a trailblazer in legal education and advocacy training, beloved mentor, and indispensable member of the South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL Houston) family, passed away Monday, July 13 after a long illness.

Dean Treece — or treasured “Coach” to the countless STCL Houston students privileged to benefit from his one-of-a-kind instruction in law and life — leaves an indelible legacy on the law school, the legal profession, and in the lives of his family, students, colleagues, and friends.

Treece served his country and earned a Bronze Star in the Vietnam War, shared his expertise as a trusted legal analyst for local and national media outlets, and was a lifelong baseball fan. He trained many of the sharpest legal minds and lawyers in the country.

While many considered him a legal “jack of all trades,” Treece’s expertise included constitutional law, civil rights, torts, and trial and appellate advocacy.

Recent notable recognitions include:

No. 1 Moot Court program in the nation (Blakely Advocacy Institute, University of Houston Law Center);
“Top Ten for Trial Advocacy” (U.S. News & World Report);
No. 1 ranking in “Best Schools for Moot Court” (preLaw magazine);
“Best Moot Court of This Decade” (preLaw magazine).

At STCL Houston’s 40th anniversary reception in his honor, Treece said, “For the past 40 years, it has been my honor to teach students how to practice law in a courtroom… You guys have been my life. Painters and conductors have works they are proud of. I’m proud of you.”

STCL Houston will share information on memorial services for Treece as they become available. Those wishing to share condolences and stories about Treece — as well as make donations to the T. Gerald Treece Endowed Scholarship at the law school — are encouraged to visit www.stcl.edu/coachtreece.

Photo and Content: South Texas School of Law

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