Five law students were selected as finalists in the annual Drake University Law School Writing Competition. This year’s competition problem involved the government’s actions in connection with raids on the meat processing plants in Postville, Iowa.
The writing competition finalists included Valarie Boland, a third-year student from Pleasant Hill, Iowa; Adam Gregg, a third-year student from Hawarden, Iowa; Bridgette Huntley, a first-year student from Westside, Iowa; Brant Leonard, a third-year student from Knoxville, Iowa; and Ann Naffier, a first-year student from Des Moines, Iowa.
The student finalist entries were submitted to the Iowa Supreme Court, which reviewed the entries and selected first place ($2,500), second place ($1,000) and three honorable mention ($500 each) awards. The awards were announced at the Supreme Court Day dinner on March 7.
Ann Naffier’s essay, which was awarded first place, will be published in a forthcoming issue of the Iowa State Bar Association’s magazine, The Iowa Lawyer. Brant Leonard was awarded the second place award.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the law students and an example of the Iowa Supreme Court’s willingness to participate with the Law School in providing exemplary legal education here at Drake,” said Melissa Weresh, Professor of Law and Director of Legal Writing.