Category: Law School News

Jack M. Balkin, the Knight professor of constitutional law and the First Amendment at Yale Law School, spoke at Drake's observance of Constitution Day on Thursday, Sept. 21, to a standing room-only crowd in Room 213 of Cartwright Hall.

Mary L. Dudziak, the Judge Edward J. and Ruey L. Guirado professor of law, history and political science at the University of California Law School, will give a lecture at Drake Law School at 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29, 2007.

The Drake University Agricultural Law Center hosted a two-day conference in September called "Gardens for All: People, Plants and Policy." This first national effort to examine the impact public policy has on gardening drew an enthusiastic audience of more than 100 attendees from 25 states and nations.

Christine Branstad, LW'94, was recently appointed as director of legal network management and development at ARAG, a leading legal services provider based in Des Moines.

Bryan Glinton, GR'93, LW'93, says this without a hint of irony: "The Bahamas is a hot jurisdiction right now." Glinton is talking about the business climate rather than the temperatures in his native Nassau. When it comes to business in the Bahamas, he's always got an eye on the thermometer.

The Law School faculty selected two students in late spring to receive awards. Brooke Timmer, 2005-06 Student Bar Association president, received the Iowa State Bar Association Award. The award is given to the graduating senior who by service, attitude and ability is expected to be the most successful member of the class in leadership and service to the Iowa State Bar.

Dwight Opperman, a 1951 Drake Law alumnus, has donated $3 million to further endow the Opperman Scholar program. The fund awards five or more merit-based, full-tuition scholarships for outstanding first-year students, and the scholarships are renewable.

A $750,000 leadership gift from Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. is earmarked for a dynamic, new program in intellectual property law, Walker said. "We want the Drake Law School to be a national and international leader in intellectual property law," Drake Law School Dean David Walker said.

Through the generosity of Wane and Donna Kern, Drake Law School received a gift of $1.5 million to endow the Kern Family Chair. The focus of the chair is pursuant to the new strategic plan and on-going efforts to enhance Drake Law School.

The Drake Law School announced $5.25 million worth of gifts at an alumni luncheon held during the Iowa State Bar Association's annual meeting