Author: Carl Olsen (Carl Olsen)

Drake Law students made a second trip to Cuba this January to study agricultural law reforms. Professor Neil Hamilton, director of Drake’s Agricultural Law Center, led the group along with Emiliano Lerda, LW’10, consultant to the Center on Latin American agricultural law, and Matt Russell, food policy coordinator in the Center.

A 76-year tradition continued this past weekend as Drake Law hosted another successful Supreme Court Celebration. The Supreme Court Celebration is held annually to honor the Iowa Supreme Court for its commitment to justice and legal education and to recognize achievements by students, faculty, alumni and friends.

Each year, in conjunction with the annual Supreme Court Banquet, Drake Law honors one of its own. This year’s winner of the Drake Law Alumna of the Year award is Jane Lorentzen, LW’91.

Two local television stations recently featured students gaining valuable practice experience at Drake Law.

The Drake University Constitutional Law Center will again host the Constitutional Law Symposium, with the support of Belin McCormick Law Firm, P.C. This year’s symposium features some of the political world’s most prominent authors and speakers. The topic, “The U.S. Constitution and Political Dysfunction: Is There a Connection?” could not come at a better time.

Phase 1 construction has begun on the extensive renovation of Cartwright Hall, the Law School’s primary classroom, office, and student activity venue. Construction is scheduled to be finished in time for courses to start Fall 2013.

One of Drake Law's two ABA Client Counseling teams, comprised of Nate Borland and Katheryn Pearson Thorson, won the Regional rounds of the Client Counseling Competition this weekend in Saint Paul, Minn. Drake's other team of Maggie White and Ben Neitzel also performed well. All of these students are in their final year of law school.

At Drake University Law School, teaching students how to practice law has always been our focus, long before it became trendy. Drake is stepping it up a notch by adding aportfolio component to the curriculum.

The First Year Trial Practicum (FYTP) case this year is a wrongful death case.