One of the true characters of the University of Houston Law Center over the past generation — James A. Hippard — died this past Friday at the age of 78 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
After working his way through the then new University of Houston Law Center during the mid-1950’s, Professor Hippard went on to receive his Masters in Law from New York University, and then returned to UH where he taught Evidence, Criminal Law and Procedure, and Civil Procedure for many years. An accomplished trial lawyer, Professor Hippard peppered his classes with the practical aspects of handling cases and his emphasis on trial techniques eventually led the school to name its annual Moot Court competition in his honor. While in law school, I took Texas Civil Procedure from Professor Hippard, and my lasting memory of him is his quick wit and uncommon grace.
A memorial service for Professor Hippard will take place this afternoon at 3 p.m. in the chapel of the Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home, 1010 Bering in Houston.