THE Norman Manley Law School (NMLS) Class of 1997 has launched a major alumni giving campaign, aimed at raising $55 million over an eight-week period.

The 1997 Cohort Alumni Giving Campaign, which forms part of the Norman Manley Law School’s broader strategic approach to alumni engagement, was officially launched on Monday evening during a event attended by alumni, students, faculty, staff, and members of the wider legal community.

The Class of 1997 has been invited to pilot the initiative, with alumnus Christopher Townsend serving as cohort ambassador.

The campaign seeks to, and will focus on, five key areas: student support and access; mentorship and professional development; thought leadership and scholarship; alumni engagement; and institutional development and delivery capacity.

Monday’s launch generated strong early momentum, with more than $3 million announced in initial commitments, including $2.5 million from TWP Attorneys-at-Law, $250,000 from San Merna Paper Products Limited, and $250,000 from Auto King Jamaica.

Townsend described the initiative as an opportunity for alumni to reconnect with the school in meaningful and lasting ways.

“The Class of 1997 is proud to serve as the arrowhead for this campaign. We hope our efforts will inspire not only our classmates, but alumni across generations, to reconnect with the school, mobilise their professional networks and invest in the students’ programmes and opportunities that will help shape the future of legal education and the legal profession.”

Principal Dr Christopher Malcolm welcomed the initiative and underscored the critical role alumni play in supporting current students, and in strengthening the institution and NMLS ecosystem.

“This campaign, which forms part of a broader strategic approach to alumni engagement, provides an important opportunity to strengthen the school’s relationship with its graduates while creating new avenues of support for our students and the continued development of our institution,” said Malcolm.

A central feature of the campaign is the establishment of the Class of 1997 Scholarship Fund, through which members of the cohort are able to contribute a minimum of $29,000 in recognition of 29 years since their graduation.

The scholarship is one of several giving opportunities that can be tapped into by alumni and friends in support of students and institutional strengthening.

During the launch, speakers reflected on the evolution of legal education and increasing demands for students.

Tianne Brown (right), incoming president of the Norman Manley Law School Students’ Association, and Emily Williams, 2025-2026 scholarship recipient, participate in the launch of the 1997 Cohort Alumni Giving Campaign,

Yolande Whitely, course director at NMLS, highlighted the changing realities of legal education and the increasing demands facing today’s students.

“Many of our students are balancing legal education with work, family responsibilities and significant financial commitments. At the same time, the demands of legal training continue to evolve. Alumni support can make a meaningful difference by helping students focus on learning, advocacy and professional development while navigating these realities,” said Whitely.

Current students played a central role in the launch, sharing first-hand perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing students at the school.

Tianne Brown, incoming president of the NMLS Students’ Association, welcomed the initiative, while noting that alumni support extends far beyond scholarships and bursaries.

In the meantime, Emily Williams, recipient of both Class of 1991 and 2007 scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year, spoke to the transformative impact financial support can have on students pursuing legal education.

“Scholarships ease more than financial pressure. They create space for students to focus on their studies, participate more fully in the life of the school and pursue opportunities that contribute to their growth and development. Support of this nature can have a lasting impact on a student’s experience.”

The campaign also introduces several pathways, through which alumni and supporters can engage with the school.

The full slate includes support for the 1997 Cohort Scholarship Fund, the NMLS Finish Line Fund to assist students facing financial challenges as they seek to complete their examinations, and the NMLS Scholars Programme.

Additional opportunities for patronage and support include the recently launched Dining and Mentorship Programme, the establishment of a new NMLS Moot Society, support for student teams participating in regional moot and advocacy competitions, a Jurist in Residence Programme, and the NMLS Reasoning Series, among others.

Registrar Carlando Francis emphasised that transparency, accountability and effective stewardship would remain central to the management of campaign funds.

“Any funds that are donated will go to a specific account for control purposes, but also for auditing purposes.” He further noted that all contributions would be subject to appropriate governance, oversight and reporting mechanisms through the school’s established structures and the reinstated NMLS Foundation, ensuring that donors would receive regular updates regarding the impact of their contributions.