Category: Law School News

1/19/2011 Des Moines Register

Republican Jack Whitver of Ankeny has earned a seat in the Iowa Senate after being chosen by District 35 voters during Tuesday's special election.

Republican legislators are currently considering whether to impeach the remaining justices of the Iowa Supreme Court because they disagree with its Varnum v. Brien decision to legalize same-sex civil marriage. This is an appallingly bad idea regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with that decision. When politicians can change the rules of the democratic game by simply changing the judges, everyone's rights and liberties are at risk.

For 11 years, Drake University President David Maxwell has been committed to the vision that Drake should be considered and recognized as one of the very best institutions of higher learning in the United States. An outstanding institution demands outstanding leadership, and those who know Maxwell know that he fits the bill -- the Drake community got additional reassurance today when a regional higher education association recognized Maxwell as one of the top leaders in American higher education.

Last year, Drake University law student Hope Wood learned many lessons about balancing parenting responsibilities with the rigor of earning a law degree.

1-3-2011 Des Moines Register

Stephen Rapp will return to The Hague next month to witness closing arguments in the historic war crimes trial against Charles Taylor. But these days, helping to bring the notorious warlord and former Liberian president to justice is just one critical goal among many.

A Drake alumnus works to make the world of higher education an accessible, better place. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., GR’91, LW’92, is the father of a newborn daughter, but he’s already responsible for helping nearly 250,000 students pay for their college education.

Mark Cady, who earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Drake University, recently was elected chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court. He will take office on Jan. 1, 2011.

On Thursday, Dec. 2, Ian Bartrum, assistant professor of law at Drake University, participated in a panel discussion titled "The 2010 Judicial Retention Results: What Happened and Where Do We Go From Here?" The event was sponsored by the American Constitution Society Iowa Lawyer Chapter.

Professor Robert Rigg's scholarship cited in Iowa Supreme Court ruling in Simmons v. State Public Defender.

First-place moot court team members with final-round judges: Leslie Behuanek, former Justice Mark McCormick, Justice Mark Cady, Justice Michael Streit, Keith Duffy and Megan Scrivner.