Subscribe to our email list
Share this:
2016 Year in Review
As we get ready to ring in the new year, here is a look back at Drake Law School's most notable stories from 2016. The past year was one to remember as the Law School welcomed a new dean, was recognized in numerous national rankings, and celebrated faculty, alumni, and student achievements. We look forward to making even more strides in 2017.
From all of us here at Drake Law School, we wish you a happy and healthy new year!
JANUARY
Drake Law students participate in CNN Democratic Town Hall
On Jan. 25, five Drake Law students asked Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley, and Bernie Sanders questions during a town hall hosted by Drake University and broadcast live on CNN.
Drake Law students study agricultural law in Cuba
A group of 14 Drake Law students visited Cuba during the January Term to study agricultural development. The students visited the U.S. Embassy, met with agricultural lawyers, and toured a cooperative organic farm.
FEBRUARY
Drake wins ABA Client Counseling regionals
Drake's client counseling team of Erika Bertrand (3L) and Nick Behlke (3L) won the ABA Region 8 Client Counseling Competition Feb. 12-13 at the University of Nebraska College of Law to advance to the national finals.
MARCH
Drake named top 25 Law School for Practical Training
Drake Law School was recognized as a top 25 Best Law School for Practical Training by The National Jurist. The annual rankings honor law schools that “go above and beyond in preparing law students for the real world.”
Drake 3L advocates for first-ever Girls Court in Iowa
Laura McGuire (3L) contributed to the establishment of Iowa’s first-ever Girls Court, a specialty court designed to address the gender-specific needs of young women. The court opened in Polk County in early March.
APRIL
Drake 3L named Distinguished Law Student by American College of Bankruptcy
Danielle Scimeca (3L) was named a 2016 Distinguished Law Student by the American College of Bankruptcy. She was honored at the college’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
ABA President speaks at Supreme Court Celebration Banquet
Paulette Brown, the first African-American female president of the ABA, served as the keynote speaker at Drake Law School's 79th Annual Supreme Court Celebration Banquet on April 2.
MAY
Drake Law School celebrates Spring 2016 Commencement
Drake Law School held its Spring 2016 Commencement Ceremony on May 14, where Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady, LW’78, delivered the commencement address.
JUNE
Drake hosts CLEO Pre-law Summer Institute
Drake Law School was selected to host the 2016 Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc. (CLEO) Pre-law Summer Institute, which helps diverse and economically disadvantaged students prepare for law school.
Drake Law employment rate among top in nation
Drake Law School’s Career Development Office reported that 86.3 percent of the class of 2015 were in jobs that require or prefer a J.D. degree nine months after graduation, which ranks 28th out of law schools nationwide.
JULY
Anderson takes over as dean of Drake Law School
On July 1, Jerry Anderson, Richard M. and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professor of Law, took over as dean of Drake Law School. He succeeded Ben Ullem, LA'66, LW'69, who served a two-year term as dean.
AUGUST
Johnson named one of ABA’s Top 40 Young Lawyers
Shontavia Johnson, professor and director of the Drake Intellectual Property Law Center, was recognized as one of the ABA's inaugural Top 40 Young Lawyers.
Drake Law School co-sponsors Iowa LGBT Rural Summit
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack served as keynote speaker at the Iowa LGBT Rural Summit on Aug. 18, an event co-sponsored by Drake Law School to foster conversation with the LGBT community in rural areas.
SEPTEMBER
Drake Law School welcomes visiting Chinese law students
Drake hosted 29 Chinese law students from the Southwest University of Political Science & Law for four weeks. The students studied American law, met with local businesses, observed a jury trial, and toured Des Moines.
Ag Law Center co-hosts Food Law Student Leadership Summit
The 2016 Food Law Student Leadership Summit was held at Drake Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Co-hosted by Drake's Agricultural Law Center, the summit brought together students from 46 law schools nationwide to discuss food law and policy.
OCTOBER
Drake named top 12 Best Value Private Law School
Drake Law School was ranked #12 in the 2016 Best Value Private Law Schools by preLaw magazine. This marks the fourth year in a row Drake Law School was included in the list.
NOVEMBER
Drake National Moot Court team wins regionals
Drake’s team of James Duff (3L), Christopher Kreuder (3L), and Julia Steggerda-Corey (2L) placed first at the Region 14 National Moot Court Competition Nov. 17-19. The team will advance to the national finals in New York City.
Drake student group hosts social justice panel
On Nov. 3, the LGBT student organization OUTLaws hosted a social justice panel on issues related to the LGBT community and people of color. The panel featured the mayor of Des Moines, the executive director of One Iowa, and more.
DECEMBER
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, LW’74, selected as ambassador to China
President-elect Donald J. Trump selected Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, a 1974 alumnus of Drake Law School, to serve as ambassador to China.
Twitter Facebook Instagram YouTube
Drake Law School 2621 Carpenter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311
T 515-271-2824 or toll-free 1-800-44-DRAKE (37253) x2824 W www.drake.edu/law
unsubscribe