Lin Wood Wants His $1 Million Donation Back If Mercer Law School Removes His Name From Courtroom

Lin Wood Makes $1 Million Commitment To Mercer University School of Law (Feb. 5, 2016):

Mercer University School of Law Dean Daisy Hurst Floyd today announced a $1 million commitment from L. Lin Wood, ’74 CLA and ’77 LAW, which will result in the creation of the L. Lin Wood Fund for the Enhancement of Mercer Law School.

“Lin Wood is a loyal alum who never forgot the role Mercer played in helping him lay a foundation for his future success as a lawyer,” said Mercer President William D. Underwood. “I am grateful for his investment in the Law School and in the students who will benefit from a Mercer legal education.”

The L. Lin Wood Fund will support and enhance the programs and activities of the Law School. The Law School’s trial courtroom will be named in honor of Wood at a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m.

“Lin has used his legal talent and skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of his clients and to seek justice, representing the best of the legal profession. His commitment recognizes the importance of a Mercer Law School education and our mission to prepare our students for lives of service and fulfillment as lawyers,” said Floyd.

See William A. Drennan (Southern Illinois), Charitable Naming Rights Transactions: Gifts or Contracts?, 2016 Mich. St. L. Rev. 1267

Update #1:  From Nancy McLaughlin (Utah):  "There is a section on naming restrictions in the forthcoming first edition of the Restatement of the Law of Nonprofit Charitable Organizations, § 4.01, Tentative draft No. 3."

Update #2:  Above the Law, Lin Wood Shows Up On Mercer Law School Call To Defend Himself, Doesn’t Go Great

Update #3:  Atlanta Journal Constitution, Tensions Between Lin Wood and Mercer Boil Over

Update #4:  Karen Sloan (Law.com), Mercer Law Students Want to Give Pro-Trump Lawyer Lin Wood the Boot, but Ditching a Donor Is Complicated

Update #5:  Law360, Ga. Law School Mulls Taking Lin Wood's Name Off Courtroom