Dean Larry Kramer spoke with Karen Sloan of National Law Journal article about the new William H. Neukom building and how it will enrich the educational experience at Stanford Law School.

The Stanford law faculty is moving on up — to a new, $62 million state-of-the-art building in the heart of campus.

The 65,000-square-foot facility will open on Friday during a ceremony attended by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

The building is named for 1967 Stanford law graduate William Neukom, who was the general counsel of Microsoft Corp. for 20 years and now is the managing general partner and chief operating officer of the San Francisco Giants. Neukom, who served as president of the American Bar Association during 2007 and 2008, donated $20 million in 2006 to help construct the building.

The structure will house faculty offices, the law school's 10 clinics, seminar and conference rooms and lounges.

"The William H. Neukom building creates a space in which to achieve our goals and is the foundation upon which all else rests," said Stanford Law Dean Larry Kramer. "This building will foster interaction and collaboration, which are essential to a rich educational experience and the kind of intellectual environment that is the hallmark of Stanford Law School."

The focal point of the new building is a central open-air atrium containing a garden — a space law school spokeswoman Judith Romero likened to the "law school's living room." The building consists of four three-story wings connected by glass-walled bridges, all surrounding the atrium and garden.

The layout provides much more space for students and faculty to interact outside offices and classrooms, and will promote the school's "open door" office policy, Romero said. The new faculty offices are smaller than the existing ones — to encourage teachers to spend more time out among students.

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"Stanford Law School is dedicated to educating students who will become leaders in their profession and in their communities — in a world that is increasingly complex and ever changing," Neukom said. "It is my hope that this new building will enhance the learning experience at the law school that prepares and inspires our students and faculty to make a difference."