DAVID PICKLER (JD '85) FUNDS NEW ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law is proud to announce the development and funding of the David Pickler Dean’s Professorship at the law school, thanks to a generous donation of $250,000 from law school alumni and prominent Memphis-area attorney and award-winning wealth advisor, David Pickler, Esq. (JD ’85). The gift will be 100% matched by the University of Memphis through a grant received from the State of Tennessee, as part of Governor Bill Lee’s efforts to support the retention of the University of Memphis’ prestigious Carnegie R-1 designation.

"As a proud alumnus of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, I am deeply honored to support the institution that laid the foundation for my career,” said Mr. Pickler. “This endowment reflects my commitment to empowering the Dean, faculty, and students to achieve excellence and drive meaningful change in the legal profession. By investing in the future of this remarkable school, I hope to inspire the next generation of legal leaders to make a lasting impact in their communities."

This new $500,000 endowment will allow the law school and the Dean to help support both students and faculty, and presents the Dean with additional funds necessary to assist with priority items throughout the year, in perpetuity.

“Mr. Pickler’s gift is the sort of impactful philanthropy that the law school needs in order to truly make an impact in the academic environment required to successfully educate the next generation of great attorneys here at Memphis Law,” said University of Memphis School of Law Dean Jim Strickland. “This endowment opens up a variety of possible funding opportunities for the law school, ranging from providing funds to student organizations, the recruitment and retention of top-tier faculty, seed funding for new programs or faculty members, or a variety of other innovative ideas that the law school may not otherwise be able to pursue. I know the law school, including our students, faculty, staff, and our alumni, are all incredibly grateful to David Pickler for his belief and support of Memphis Law.”

David Pickler is an award-winning wealth advisor and attorney and serves as President and CEO of Pickler Wealth Advisors, The Pickler Law Firm, and Co-Founder of Pickler Accounting Advisors in Collierville, Tennessee. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of the American Pillars Education Foundation. His law firm has been named a “Best Law Firm in Memphis,” by the Commercial Appeal five years in a row. Mr. Pickler was honored by the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Alumni Chapter in 2024 with the “Friend of the Law School” award at the alumni chapter’s annual Pillars of Excellence Awards Dinner.