Heritage Hall at Valparaiso University's School of Law will undergo renovations that include creating a Lawyering Skills Center to help students prepare for the day-to-day work done by attorneys.

The $9 million project, which will begin this fall, will establish a state-of-the-art center for students that will replicate the physical spaces in which graduates will practice. Heritage Hall will have a teaching courtroom, interview rooms, and other spaces designed to enhance coursework on pre-trial skills, trial practice, appellate advocacy, dispute resolution, client counseling, and negotiation.

The building reconstruction also will help the school's Law Clinic better serve clients by facilitating more interaction between the students and clinic faculty who supervise them. The clinic handles more than 700 cases a year and allows students to gain experience in civil, criminal, tax, juvenile, and sports law; domestic violence issues; wrongful convictions; and mediation.

Construction should be completed by the beginning of the 2010 fall semester. Heritage Hall is the oldest building on Valparaiso's campus.