Drake Law School earned an “A” ranking in preLaw Magazine’s 2025 list of “Best Law Schools for Practical Training.” Law schools are graded based on key offerings such as clinics, externships, simulation courses, and moot court participation. The annual rankings were featured in the Spring 2025 issue of the magazine.
“At Drake Law, we are committed to preparing future lawyers who are not only knowledgeable in the law but also ready to practice it from day one,” said Dean Roscoe Jones. “Our location in the capital city places students at the center of legal and policy decision-making, providing hands-on experiences in courts, government agencies, and law firms. We don’t just teach the law—we immerse our students in it, equipping them with the skills, judgment, and professionalism needed to lead and serve in an evolving legal landscape.”
Drake Law School provides numerous experiential learning opportunities to students, beginning in their first year with two intra-school moot court competitions and the unique First-Year Trial Practicum. Drake is the only law school in the country where all first-year classes shift to a campus courtroom for a week, enabling students to view an actual state or federal trial. The Trial Practicum dissects every phase of a trial, from jury selection to verdict. Not only do students witness a trial, but they also have opportunities to discuss the proceedings with the presiding judge, lawyers, and jurors.
Drake’s legal clinics give students the opportunity to build valuable professional experience by working with clients in real-world situations. Our Legislative Practice Center engages students in the legislative process by combining coursework with legislative internships where students draft bills, lobby legislators, and attend subcommittee meetings. And through our wide variety of internships and externships, students have tried and won felony jury trials, clerked for the Iowa Supreme Court, worked for government agencies and nonprofits, and more.
Drake Law students also develop essential practical skills in interschool competitions at the regional and national levels. The Law School sponsors nine Moot Court, Mock Trial, and skills teams, which annually are among the best in the nation.