Category: Law School Spotlights

At Drake Law School, students gain more than a foundation in criminal law – they learn what justice looks like in practice from faculty who have lived it. With deep experience as prosecutors and defense attorneys, these professors bring real-world insight to the classroom, helping students understand both the power and responsibility that come with...

As part of Drake Law School’s new AI Law Certificate program, which emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and prepares students to navigate the evolving intersection of law and technology, 3L Jack Norton completed an innovative Individual Study project last spring. Under the supervision of Professor Sayoko Blodgett-Ford and in collaboration with Professor Jamey Hart from Drake’s Art...

This Veterans Day, Drake Law School proudly recognizes the student veterans in our community whose service, leadership, and dedication continue to make a profound impact both in and out of the classroom. 2L student, Wayne Edmiston, is pursuing his J.D. at Drake after serving 20 years in the United States Marine Corps and completing multiple...

Professor Hunter R. Clark has been a pillar of the Drake Law community since 1993, teaching International Human Rights Law and sharing his expertise in International Law, International Trade, State and Local Government Law, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Over his three decades at Drake, Professor Clark has inspired generations of students and lawyers by...

La Alianza is a student organization at Drake Law School dedicated to supporting Hispanic and Latinx law students while promoting cultural awareness and inclusion within the legal community. It offers a welcoming space for students to connect, celebrate their heritage, and engage with the broader Hispanic community in Des Moines through service, education, and professional...

Drake Law rising third-year student Anna Olson spent the summer interning with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Omaha, Nebraska. We asked Anna to tell us more about her experience: How did you learn about this internship and what was appealing to you about the opportunity?I learned about the FBI Honors Program in undergrad...

For John Danos, JD’25, working at the Drake Legal Clinic was more than an academic experience. It was a transformative journey that changed their life forever. As a student attorney in the Drake Legal Clinic’s Refugee Clinic, John represented a client over the course of three semesters, building a strong relationship with them and eventually...

Mackenzie Roberts is a rising third-year law student at Drake Law School. She was a student attorney in the Children’s Rights Clinic during the Spring 2025 semester where she represented children in juvenile delinquency, child welfare, minor guardianship, and immigration matters before the Polk County Juvenile Court and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. After my...

Judicial clerkships provide invaluable, behind-the-scenes insight into how judges think, write, and decide cases – an experience that has proven pivotal for several recent Drake Law graduates. As some alumni reflect on how these roles have shaped their legal careers, the newest graduates are eagerly preparing to begin clerkships of their own. Conner Greene, JD’24,...

The Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA) at Drake Law School has been a powerful source of community and connection for its members. Under the leadership of 3L student, Terumi Wayne, APALSA was revived several years ago with the goal of providing a space for Asian American law students to bond, collaborate, and network....