The Drake Constitutional Law Center kicks off its 2026-27 lecture series on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m. with Aziz Z. Huq, Frank and Bernice J. Professor at the University of Chicago Law School and associate professor of sociology. His presentation, “Legality—and what comes after it,” is part of Drake University Law School’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, recognizing the enduring importance of the Constitution and the principles on which the nation was founded.
The free lecture is open to the public and will be hosted in the James Albert Classroom (number 213) in Cartwright Hall on the Drake campus. Registration is required for both in-person and livestream attendance. Register here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=6a3b6afd-aa6a-403b-b58d-42eaa0bbe14a&envId=p-5q02DJVwcU2zacASsSW7Ig&zone=usa
“Drake Law School is fortunate on this major occasion to host one of the nation’s most accomplished and prolific legal scholars,” said Professor Mark Kende, director of the Drake University Constitutional Law Center and James Madison Chair in Constitutional Law.
Huq is a scholar of U.S. and comparative constitutional law. His recent work concerns democratic backsliding and the regulation of artificial intelligence. Huq’s award-winning scholarship is published in several books and in leading law, social science, and political science journals. He also writes for Politico, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and many other non-specialist publications.
Each year, the Constitutional Law Center hosts multiple lectures on campus with the nation’s leading constitutional scholars, including the Constitutional Law Symposium, Distinguished Lecture Series, and Judge James Grant Iowa Constitution Lecture Series.
Constitutional Law Center 2026-27 Dates:
Sept. 17, 3 p.m., Constitution Day Lecture, Aziz Z. Huq
Jan. 28, 3 p.m., Judge James Grant Lecture, John Dinan
Feb. 11, 3 p.m., Distinguished Lecture Series, Jonathan Gienapp
April 17, 8:30 a.m., Constitution Law Symposium, Suzie Pritchett, Kevin Johnson, Rose Cuisson- Villazor, Rogers Smith
The Constitutional Law Center is one of only four such centers established by Congress and funded by the federal government. It promotes the study of the U.S. Constitution and related topics. The Law School’s annual Constitution Day lecture brings distinguished constitutional law scholars to campus to explore timely issues related to the Constitution and its role in American society.