Author: Carl Olsen (Carl Olsen)

During Supreme Court Celebration week at the Drake University Law School, law students had the opportunity to celebrate the Iowa Supreme Court as well as become more familiar with appellate court procedure and arguments through the Supreme Court Competition.

Drake recently hosted a group of international visitors who were selected to participate in the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). This program brings mid-career professionals to the U.S. who have been selected as having contributed or the potential to contribute toward significant progress in their fields.

The International Trademark Association (INTA), the law firm of Ladas & Parry, and the chair of the Ladas Memorial Award project team, Kevin McDevitt (Neal & McDevitt), recently awarded Professor Shontavia Johnson this year’s Ladas Memorial Award in the Professional Category.

The Drake University Constitutional Law Center will again host the Constitutional Law Symposium with the support of Nate McCay and the law firm of Belin McCormick, P.C. on Saturday, April 12. This year’s symposium will bring together acclaimed historians, authors, and political experts to discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” and the 50th anniversary of LBJ’s Great Society.

Last week marked the sixth year of the Drake Law New Orleans volunteer trip and partnership with the Pro Bono Project.

At the regional competition in Omaha in March, two Drake Law teams competed successfully at the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Student Trial Advocacy Competition, with one team advancing to Nationals.  At Nationals in Santa Monica, the White Team placed 5th nationally, falling just one point shy of the semifinals.

The Panel on Commerce and Industry of the Hong Kong Legislative Council held a meeting to address the government's discussion paper on upcoming digital copyright reform, and several lawmakers relied on the proposal and publications of Drake Law Professor Peter K. Yu.

On Thursday, March 27, Drake University will welcome Justice Brent R. Appel of the Iowa Supreme Court for the third annual James Grant Iowa Constitution Lecture to discuss some of the significant cases in the Iowa Supreme Court’s history and offer insight on current and future issues that may arise.

This year’s first-year law students have the great fortune of observing two trials during the First Year Trial Practicum; one regarding assault causing injury and the other possession of a firearm by a felon.