Drake University Law School’s programs in intellectual property and legal writing are ranked among the top programs in the nation in the 2011 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” published by US News & World Report magazine.
The magazine has ranked Drake’s intellectual property program 25th and its legal writing program 26th among the more than 180 law schools fully accredited by the American Bar Association.
Intellectual Property Law Center recognized again
The Drake Intellectual Property Law Center offers an innovative globally oriented curriculum, providing students with a solid foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of intellectual property law.
It is the youngest program to receive recognition in the magazine’s annual survey. Since the center’s establishment in fall 2007, US News and World Report has consistently ranked it among the top 25 intellectual property law programs in the United States and one of the top five programs in the Midwest.
The center was established by Peter K. Yu, the Kern Family chair in intellectual property law. He is a leading expert in international intellectual property and communications law. A prolific scholar and an award-winning teacher, he is the author or editor of four books and more than 60 law review articles and book chapters.
Writing program focuses on ethics and professionalism
Drake Law School’s writing program includes a required first-year Legal Research and Writing course focused on ethics and professionalism. This focus on ethics, professionalism and writing earned the Law School a Gambrell Professionalism Award from the American Bar Association in 2008.
Throughout the writing program, students are engaged in addressing ethical and professional issues in written communication via a required, supplemental text. They also are regularly involved with members of the practicing bar, including the justices of the Iowa Supreme Court.
Melissa H. Weresh, director of legal writing and professor of law, recently received the 2010 University of Iowa Alumni Service Award. She also was recognized by the American Inns of Court, which awarded her 2009 Warren E. Burger Prize. Her publications include a textbook titled “Legal Writing: Ethical and Professional Consideration.” She co-chaired the 2008 Legal Writing Institute Biennial Conference and is chair-elect of the Teaching Methods Section of the Association of American Law Schools.