Drake Law School Viewbook - 2025 by Drake University

Define your

future

Make an impact

AT DRAKE LAW SCHOOL

, you’ll develop a solid foundation in legal theory from faculty who have all practiced law. Then build your resume with practical experiences from our nationally recognized legal clinics, internships, and deep relationships with the bench and bar.

We’ve been helping start successful careers for more than 150 years. Now it’s time to launch yours.

You’ll develop the skills and gain real-world experiences to hit the ground running.

Gain a lifetime advantage

FIRST-YEAR TRIAL PRACTICUM

Directly interact with judges, attorneys, and jurors through the only program of its kind in the country that brings a live jury trial to the Drake Law courtroom.

LEGISLATIVE PRACTICE CENTER

Prepare for a future career in the legislature, politics, policy work, lobbying, or government relations with hands on experience and an inside look at how things work at the Capitol.

LEGAL CLINICS

Gain practical experience representing real clients and making a difference in peoples’ lives. Many students graduate with more experience than some first and second year attorneys.

CAPITAL CITY EXPOSURE

Experience unparalleled access to internships, externships, and clerkships as a student in the only law school in Iowa’s capital city.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DRAKE LAW DIFFERENCE

My experiences inside and outside of the classroom have given me the confidence and skills to tackle job transitions and find success early in my career.

Torii Millet

Senior Investigator, Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX, University of Southern California

WHILE AT DRAKE

As a Drake Law student, Torii was involved on campus in many ways:

• Drake Law Review associate editor

• Black Law Student Association member

• ABA Client Counseling team member

• Integrated Study Group leader

• Faculty research assistant

Off campus, Torii clerked at two of the largest law firms in Des Moines, served as a student attorney in the Criminal Defense Clinic, and graduated with honors.

LIFE AFTER DRAKE

Since graduation, Torii has served as:

Judicial clerk to the chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court

Business law associate at a large international law firm

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Associate/Deputy Title IX Officer at the University of Minnesota

Learn from real-world experts

100% of Drake Law School faculty have practiced law & participate in public service.

Keith Miller

Ellis & Nelle Levitt

Distinguished Professor of Law

Co-author of leading casebook on gaming law, The Law of Gambling and Regulated Gaming

Noted expert and resource for the media in sports betting and gambling

Former Vice President, Educator Members of the International Masters of Gaming Law

Our professors have knowledge of the law, a firm grasp on legal theory, and impressive credentials. But they’re not just scholars. Drake Law faculty are lawyers who have real-world experience putting the law into action.

FACULTY & STAFF ARE COMMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS

With a low 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you get individual attention and guidance. You’ll gain firsthand knowledge and insight working closely with professionals who don’t just talk about legal theory. They also put it to work – and will help you do the same.

Melissa Weresh

Dwight D. Opperman

Distinguished Professor of Law

Winner of the Thomas F. Blackwell Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Legal Writing

Past president of the national Legal Writing Institute

Editorial Board Member, Journal of Legal Education

Anthony Gaughan

Kern Family Chair in Law & Professor of Law

Expert in election law and constitutional law

Elected member of the American Law Institute

Former U.S. Navy officer and Iraq War veteran

In our Summer in France program, I saw how students from other schools reacted to the real-world perspective of Drake Law professors. It made me realize I’m not only learning how to think like a lawyer; Drake is preparing me to be one.

Dani Havel, Current student

Dani

Our comprehensive curriculum strikes a balance between theory and practice to help you develop the analytical abilities, communication skills, and experience necessary to land the job. Apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world experiences.

View our complete course listing online at drake.edu/law

Balance theory and practice

REQUIRED COURSES

Advanced Writing Seminar

Civil Procedure Constitutional Framework

Civil Procedure Process of Litigation

Constitutional Law I and II

Contracts I and II

Criminal Law

Evidence

First-Year Trial Practicum

Introduction to Law

Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Legal Research I and II

Legal Writing I and II

Professional Skills Course

Property

Torts

AGRICULTURAL LAW

Agricultural Law

Agricultural and Biotechnology Law

Environmental Law

Environmental Regulation of Agriculture

Farm and Ranch Taxation

Food and the Law

Drake Journal of Agricultural Law

BUSINESS/CORPORATE LAW

Bankruptcy and Debt Collection

Business Associations

Business Taxation

Consumer Law Internship

Consumer Protection

Contract Drafting

Entrepreneurial/Transactional Clinic

Environmental Practice

Federal Courts and Jurisdiction

Gaming Law

Insurance Law

Mergers and Acquisitions

Real Estate Transactions

Sales

Secured Transactions

Securities Law Internship

Securities Regulation Law

CHILDREN & FAMILY LAW

Advanced General Civil Practice Clinic

Children and the Law

Children’s Rights Clinic and Internship

Domestic Violence

Education Law

Family Law

General Practice Clinic

CIVIL LITIGATION

Advanced General Civil Practice Clinic

Constitutional Litigation

Evidence

Federal Courts and Jurisdiction

Intellectual Property Litigation

Mediation

Medical Malpractice

Moot Court and Mock Trial Teams

Negotiations

Pretrial Advocacy

Products Liability

Trial Advocacy

Workers’ Compensation

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Administrative Law

Advanced Constitutional Law

Comparative Constitutional Law

Constitutional Controversies

Constitutional Law I and II

Constitutional Litigation

Criminal Motions Practicum

Criminal Procedure Investigations and Adjudication

Education Law

Election Law

First Amendment Seminar

Race and the Constitution

State Constitutional Law

U.S. Supreme Court

Women and the Law

CRIMINAL LAW

Criminal Defense Clinic

Criminal Motions Practicum

Criminal Procedure I and II

Domestic Violence

Evidence

Federal Criminal Law

Federal Public Defender Internship

Fundamentals of Legal Investigation

Intoxicated Driving Law

Laws of War

National Security Law

Prosecution and Defense

Prosecutor Internship

Psychiatry and the Law

Scientific and Expert Evidence

Trial Advocacy

U.S. Attorney’s Office Internship

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Administrative Law

Environmental Law and Internship

Environmental Law Moot Court Team

Environmental Practice

Environmental Regulation of Agriculture

Federal Courts and Jurisdiction

Insurance Law

USDA Internship

GENERAL PRACTICE LAW

Clinical Program

Estate Planning

Law Office Management

Mediation

Moot Court and Mock Trial Teams

Negotiations

Pretrial Advocacy

Real Estate Transactions

Trial Advocacy

Wills and Trusts

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Entertainment Law

Intellectual Property Licensing

Intellectual Property Litigation

Intellectual Property-Intro

Intellection Property Law Moot

Court Teams

Patent Law

Sports & Antitrust Law

Trademarks & Unfair Competition

INTERNATIONAL LAW

Applied Immigration Law and Policy

Comparative Constitutional Law

Immigration Law

International Law-Intro

International Human Rights

International Trade

International Visitor Program

Sales

Summer in France Program

LEGISLATIVE PRACTICE

Administrative Law

Election Law

Constitutional Litigation

Federal Courts and Jurisdiction

Legislation

Legislative Internship

Legislative Practice

Legislative Practice Internship

State and Local Government Law

State Constitutional Law

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Applied Immigration Law and Policy

Current Topics in Race and the Law

Immigration Law

International Human Rights

Judicial Innovation

Law and Social Change

Race and the Constitution

Race, Law and Social Science

TAXATION

Administrative Law

Business Taxation

Farm and Ranch Taxation

Federal Income Taxation

Def ine your experience

You can make your degree your own by taking advantage of programs that offer in-depth exploration of specific areas of law, additional degree options, and co-curricular experiences.

You might study international law in France, at the Capitol, or earn a certificate in

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Our certificate programs allow you to focus on a specific area of law and demonstrate your emphasis and commitment to potential employers.

Artificial Intelligence Law

Business Law

Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Compliance and Risk Management

Constitutional Law and Civil Rights

Food and Agricultural Law

Intellectual Property Law

International Law and Global Citizenship

Legislative Practice

Prosecution and Defense

Public Service

Social Justice and Public Interest Lawyering

ACADEMIC CENTERS & INSTITUTES

You have additional opportunities for in-depth research and experiences in various areas of law through our academic centers and institutes:

Agricultural Law Center

Constitutional Law Center

Institute for Justice Reform and Innovation

Legislative Practice Center

Joan and Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights

3+3 PROGRAMS

Qualified students can earn an undergraduate degree and law degree in six years rather than the usual seven.

SUMMER IN FRANCE

Experience law in a global society by studying comparative and international law at the University of Nantes Law School in France. All courses are taught in English.

France, help draft legislation your area of interest.

ADVANCED DEGREE OPTIONS

Masters of Law (LLM) and Masters of Jurisprudence (MJ) degrees are available in several areas. Or design your own curriculum to fit your goals.

JOINT DEGREES

Enhance your career options by combining your legal studies with another graduate program at Drake or with one of our educational partners. You’ll earn both degrees in less time—with less cost— than earning them separately.

Master of Business Administration

Master of Public Administration

Doctor of Pharmacy

Master of Arts in Political Science*

Master of Social Work*

Master of Health Care Administration*

Master of Public Health*

* In cooperation with other universities.

MOOT COURT & MOCK TRIAL

Participate in award-winning competition and skills teams.

Drake’s National Moot Court team placed 2nd in the nation in 2023. In fact, Drake’s team has advanced to the national tournament in New York City 23 times in 30 years. Drake’s team also won the ABA Arbitration National Championship in 2018 and placed third in the first-ever ABA Competitions Championship.

STUDENT PUBLISHED LEGAL JOURNALS

Join one of Drake Law School’s well-respected law journals.

The Drake Law Review is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s most court-cited legal periodicals and was previously cited by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Drake Journal of Agricultural Law is the only legal journal from an accredited law school focusing on agricultural law issues.

Put your passion to work

Not all learning happens in the classroom. The real-world experience you gain through clinics and internships will set you apart in your first job and every one after.

Legal theory is the backbone of a Drake Law education, but practical experience is the heart and soul. From legal clinics to internships, these opportunities allow students to explore their passions and equip themselves with the skills and experience they need to build a career that is professionally rewarding and personally meaningful.

Suzan M. Pritchett, Director of Clinics & Experiential Education

LW ’22

Miguel Alvarado Attorney, Branstad & Olson Law Office

Miguel came to Drake Law School with an interest in helping children in the juvenile justice system. Throughout his time at Drake he actively sought opportunities to pursue his passion through internships with the Polk County Juvenile Court and the Juvenile Division of the Polk County Attorney’s Office. He also served as a student attorney with the Children’s Rights Clinic where he participated in the Iowa Supreme Court’s Juvenile Justice Task Force.

ALUMNI PROFILE

LEGAL CLINIC

Learn essential lawyering skills working directly with clients on all aspects of a real case including client counseling, negotiation, and representation at trials and other litigation settings.

Get a front row seat to state and federal court proceedings that take place in the clinic’s on-campus courtroom.

Drake Law School offers enough opportunities to provide every student with a clinical placement.

CLINICAL PRACTICE AREAS

Children’s Rights

Criminal Defense

Entrepreneurial/Transactional

General Civil Practice

Refugee and Immigration Law

Wrongful Convictions

Drake consistently ranks among the top schools for juvenile law, which made it an obvious choice for me given my desired focus.

What I didn’t realize was how my experiences at Drake Law provided me with skills to excel in juvenile law right out of law school.

INTERNSHIPS

Access to hundreds of internships in Des Moines and across the country.

Over 93% of Drake Law students gain professional experience through internships, clerkships, and clinics before they graduate.

Personal assistance, networking opportunities, and job search tools through our Career Development Office.

More than 30 internships for credit in legislation, juvenile law, civil rights, environmental law, and more including:

Administrative Law Internship

Advanced Prosecutor Internship

Advanced Polk County Prosecutor Internship

Animal Rescue League Internship

Children’s Rights Center Internship

Disability Rights Iowa Internship

Environmental Law Internship

Ethics Internship

Farm Bureau Internship

Federal Public Defender Internship

Honors Judicial Internship

Independent Internship

Iowa Attorney General’s Office Internship

Iowa Civil Rights Commission Internship

Iowa Public Information Board Internship

Iowa Supreme Court Scholar Internship

Judicial Internship

Juvenile Court Internship

Juvenile Law Internship

Juvenile Law Appellate Internship

Legislative Internship

Legislative Practice Internship

Polk County Prosecutor Internship

Prosecutor Internship

Securities Law Internship

State Public Defender Appellate Internship

State Public Defender Internship

Supreme Court Administrative Internship

U.S. Attorney’s Office Internship

U.S. Department of Agriculture Internship

Study here, practice anywhere

Your experience at Drake Law School gives you the skills to make an impact in whatever career path you choose, wherever you choose to do it.

OUR ALUMNI MAKE A DIFFERENCE

You’ll join a network of 6,500+ alumni already using their law degrees in all 50 states and across the globe—from France to Panama to South Korea—in every facet of the legal profession.

Drake Law gave me a solid foundation in the practical skills of being a good lawyer. It gave me the confidence I needed to hit the ground running practicing law in my home state of Arizona.

Erik Kolsrud

Assistant Public Defender, Pima County Public Defender’s Office

POST-GRADUATION CLERKSHIP

Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Jeffrey Bergin, Pima County Superior Court, Tucson, AZ

IN TERNSHIP EX PERIENCE

Law clerk:

• Hon. John Hinderaker, Pima County Superior Court

• Hon. Kimberly Ortiz, Pima County Superior Court

DRAKE LAW SCHOOL E XPERIENCE

• Finalist, First-Year Oral Argument Competition

• Student attorney, Criminal Defense Clinic

• Junior staff, media editor – Drake Journal of Agricultural Law

ACTIVITIES

• AAJ Mock Trial Team

• Negotiations Team

• Delta Theta Phi

• Law School Ambassador

PUBLISHED

“The Well Runs Dry: Pressures and Changes in Arizona Water Policy”

As the only law school in the capital city, Drake Law School gives you a competitive advantage for internships, externships, and clerkships.

Lively city meets vibrant legal community

#3 Most Livable City in the U.S. Readers Digest, 2025

#10 Best Place for Business and Careers Forbes, 2024

#5 Best Cultural Festival (World Food & Music Festival) USA Today, 2025

Located just minutes from campus...

Iowa State Capitol, federal & state courts

World-class restaurants

Professional sports

Hundreds of miles of recreational trails

Nationally recognized art & music festivals

At Drake Law School, we challenge you to think about what comes next. Your education is an investment in yourself and your future—and our results tell the whole story.