UC Law School Receives Record $43.2M Gift from Klekamp Family

Donation will rename school and support scholarships, experiential learning, and more.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:25pm

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A grid of brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen images depicting legal symbols like a gavel, law books, and a graduation cap, conceptually representing the energy and creativity of the University of Cincinnati's law school gift.A bold, pop art-inspired celebration of the University of Cincinnati's transformative law school gift.Cincinnati Today

The University of Cincinnati's law school has received a record $43.2 million gift from the Klekamp family, which will rename the school the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law. The multi-million dollar donation will support scholarships, experiential learning, student success, and the school's Corporate Law Center.

Why it matters

This transformative gift is the largest in the law school's history and will significantly boost the school's ability to attract top talent, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and prepare the next generation of legal professionals. The Klekamp family has a long history of philanthropy in the Cincinnati region, having also made a record $60 million donation to nearby Xavier University.

The details

The gift will be pledged over time and will support four core areas within the college: a robust scholarship program, experiential learning, student success, and the Corporate Law Center. The Klekamp family has deep ties to the University of Cincinnati, with Donald Klekamp graduating from the law school in 1957 and his late wife Marianne being a 1956 UC graduate.

  • The $43.2 million gift was announced on March 30, 2026.
  • Two years ago, the Klekamp family announced a $60 million donation to Xavier University.

The players

Donald P. Klekamp

A 1957 graduate of the UC law school who is the retired founding partner of the corporate law firm Keating Muething & Klekamp (KMK Law).

Marianne Klekamp

Donald Klekamp's late wife, who was a 1956 UC graduate and an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and the UC Marching Band. She had a passion for the arts as a skilled pianist, singer, and actress.

Peter Klekamp

Donald and Marianne Klekamp's son, who is the founder of local real estate management company PLK Communities.

Neville Pinto

The President of the University of Cincinnati.

Charles Keating

One of the founders of the law firm that Donald Klekamp joined in 1959, which is now known as KMK Law.

John Muething

One of the founders of the law firm that Donald Klekamp joined in 1959, which is now known as KMK Law.

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What they’re saying

“The Klekamp family's extraordinary generosity honors Donald Klekamp's legacy while strengthening our ability to prepare the next generation of talented legal minds.”

— Neville Pinto, President, University of Cincinnati

“They instilled in us many traits that have helped us to succeed—honesty, hard work, giving back. We were loved.”

— Peter Klekamp, Founder, PLK Communities

What’s next

The University of Cincinnati plans to officially rename the law school the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law in the coming months to honor the family's transformative gift.

The takeaway

This record-breaking donation from the Klekamp family underscores their deep commitment to supporting higher education and the legal profession in the Cincinnati region. The gift will enable the UC law school to enhance its academic programs, provide more student scholarships, and solidify its reputation as a top-tier institution.