Law School
Raise
the bar
Advantage T H E
D R A K E
L A W
Raise the bar on your legal education. Practice your passion from day one. No matter how you plan to make an impact, Drake Law School provides a collaborative and supportive environment that sets you up for success. Unlike the competitive atmosphere often associated with legal education, our tight-knit community ensures you are never just a number; your goals are our priority.
Law School 2 | Drake Law School
drake.edu/law Drake Law School | 3
A COMMUNITY OF
&
Excellence Impact “ ” Choosing Drake Law has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. What stood out to me—and what has continued to define my experience—is the strong sense of community. That community exists not only among students and faculty, but also within the broader Des Moines legal community and through Drake’s close relationship with the Iowa Supreme Court and Iowa Legislature.
William Keck, JD’26
Drake Law Experience: Student Bar Association President; Founder & President of First-Generation Lawyers Organization; Drake Law Review; Legal Writing Fellow; Moot Court Board; Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity; Corporate Law Society; Public Interest Law Society Off-Campus & Practical Experience: Intern and Clerk at Iowa House of Representatives; Law Clerk at Lamson Dugan & Murray; Law Clerk at Dentons Davis Brown
4 | Drake Law School
Drake Law School | 5
UNRIVALED The Nation’s Only First-Year Trial Practicum
At Drake, we integrate you into the legal profession immediately through the nation's only First-Year Trial Practicum. For up to one week, all 1L classes move to an on-campus courtroom to observe a live jury trial and interact directly with judges, attorneys, and jurors. This unique experience bridges the gap between classroom theory and professional reality, building a solid legal foundation from the start.
“
My favorite part of First-year Trial Practicum was the opportunity to have candid, post-verdict discussions with the jurors once the trial was wrapped up. Gaining unfiltered insight into their deliberations and learning how they perceived key, outcome-determinative facts was invaluable. I found it particularly helpful that the jurors provided genuine feedback on how the attorney's arguments, communication style, and overall demeanor were influential in their decision-making process because this offered a perspective that I could not have gained anywhere else.
Addison Upchurch, 2L
Experience from the Start Drake Law students don’t just observe trials; they also participate in them. Remarkably, secondyear law student Brecklyn Carey gave the opening argument in the Sahouri trial and assisted in prosecuting the case, as part of her Prosecution Internship course.
”
“
I observed a vehicular homicide trial from voir dire to verdict through the First-Year Trial Practicum. Just one year later, I was at counsel table—delivering an opening statement and directing a witness. Drake Law's experiential learning programs truly accelerate your career growth.
Brecklyn Carey, JD'21 Assistant Story County Attorney
6 | Drake Law School
”
Drake Law School | 7
From Classroom to Courtroom While legal theory is vital, practical experience is the heart of a Drake Law education. With enough clinical opportunities to offer every student a placement, our Legal Clinic lets you work directly with clients on real cases, gaining essential skills in counseling, negotiation, and courtroom representation.
Clinical Practice Areas: Children's Rights Clinic Criminal Defense Clinic
89%
Entrepreneurial/Transactional Clinic
of our students secured legal-related internships, externships, or clerkships.
THE DRAKE LAW REVIEW
General Civil Practice Clinic
is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s most court-cited legal periodicals and was previously cited by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Refugee Clinic
Proven Excellence 100%
of the Class of 2026 participated in experiential learning during their time at Drake.
National Advocacy Leadership Drake Law's competition teams consistently dominate the national stage, highlighted by a top-4 TYLA Mock Trial finish, a 10th-place National Moot Court ranking, and elite individual honors including Best Oralist Overall.
93%
Over the past three graduating classes, 93% of Drake Law graduates secured bar required, professional, or JD-Advantage positions within 10 months of graduation.
The Drake Journal of Agricultural Law is the only legal journal from an accredited law school focusing on agricultural law issues.
8 | Drake Law School
Drake Law School | 9
Mentorship from experts
A Curriculum Built to Raise the Bar Through the Artificial Intelligence Law Certificate, students explore issues in AI governance, privacy, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and ethics while building practical skills that connect legal training to emerging technologies.
At Drake, you learn from professionals
who don't just teach theory, they have put it into action.
96% of our faculty have practiced law and continue to participate in public service. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6.5:1, you receive the personalized attention and guidance necessary to master your craft.
“We train law students to go beyond the headlines and critically examine AI’s promises and risks.”
Jeremy Kidd
SAYOKO BLODGETT-FORD
Professor of Law EXPERTISE AT A GLANCE Expert in business organization, securities regulation, and law & economics. Researches how institutional design and regulatory rules impact market success and governance. Trains students to analyze strategic, real-world reactions to legal decisions.
Alexa Perez Assistant Professor of Law EXPERTISE AT A GLANCE Expert in civil procedure, evidence, and federal criminal law. Real-world federal prosecutorial experience as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. Received a Federal Bar Association Award for securing one of the largest settlements in a federal civil rights action against the City of Chicago. 10 | Drake Law School
Sayoko Blodgett-Ford Associate Professor of Law; Sease Faculty Research Scholar EXPERTISE AT A GLANCE Expert in intellectual property, artificial intelligence, and privacy & cybersecurity law. Authored an influential analysis published by the Organisation of Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) exposing how the “10x Myth” severely undercalculates generative AI power costs. Led global Intellectual Property strategy (except Japan) at Nintendo of America Inc. from 1998 to 2006, including U.S. Pokémon launch.
Drake Law prepares students to engage with emerging technologies in meaningful ways. “We train law students to go beyond the headlines and critically examine AI’s promises and risks,” says Professor Sayoko BlodgettFord, AI Law Certificate Program Director, Associate Professor, and Sease Faculty Research Scholar. What sets Drake Law apart is its interdisciplinary approach. Students learn from experts across the University and work at the intersection of law, technology, arts, and other disciplines. This approach helps students develop the analytical thinking and problemsolving skills needed to advise clients, shape policy, and lead in a rapidly evolving field. Drake Law School | 11
AISE THE BA
Our Courses Our rigorous foundational courses provide the essential tools for any legal career, highlighted by our one-of-a-kind First-Year Trial Practicum. REQUIRED COURSES FOR THE JD DEGREE Advanced Writing Seminar Civil Procedure Constitutional Law I and II Contracts Criminal Law Evidence First-Year Trial Practicum Introduction to Law Justice, Lawyering, and Leadership Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Legal Research I and II Legal Writing I and II Professional Skills Course Property Torts
12 | Drake Law School
AGRICULTURAL LAW Animal Law Agricultural Law Cannabis 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 Insurance Law International Business Transactions Law & Economics 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 Complex Litigation Conflict of Laws 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 Criminal Procedure Investigations and Adjudication Education Law Election Law First Amendment Seminar Race and the Constitution State Constitutional Law US Supreme Court Women and the Law CRIMINAL LAW Criminal Defense Clinic Criminal Motion 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
Mass Incarceration National Security Law Prosecution and Defense Prosecutor Internship Psychiatry and the Law Scientific and Expert Evidence Trial Advocacy US Attorney's Office Internship ENVIRONMENTAL LAW Administrative Law Environmental Law and Internship Environmental Law Moot Court Environmental Law Practice Environmental Regulation of Agriculture Federal Courts and Jurisdiction Insurance Law Land Use Control USDA Internship Wildlife Advocacy GENERAL PRACTICE LAW AI Policy and Governance Artificial Intelligence and the Law Clinical Program Estate Planning Generative AI for Legal Research Law Office Management Mediation Moot Court and Mock Trial Teams Negotiations Pretrial Advocacy Privacy & Cybersecurity Real Estate Transactions Trial Advocacy Wills and Trusts INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Copyright law Entertainment Law Intellectual Property Licensing Intellectual Property Litigation Intellectual Property-Intro Intellectual Property Law Moot Court Teams
Patent Law Sports and Antitrust law Trademarks and Unfair Competition INTERNATIONAL LAW Applied Immigration Law and Policy Comparative Constitutional Law Immigration law International Law-Intro International Human Rights International Negotiations International Trade International Visitor Program Sales Summer in France Program LEGISLATIVE PRACTICE Administrative Law Election Law 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 Law and Social Change Race, Law, and History in Iowa Race, Law, and Social Science TAXATION Administrative Law Business Taxation Farm and Ranch Taxation Federal Income Taxation Drake Law School | 13
Practice Your Passion AREAS OF STUDY At Drake Law, you make your degree your own. You can choose from a vast array of electives to explore your specific interests indepth. Whether you are drawn to the intricacies of Agricultural Law, the fast-paced world of Business Law, or the pursuit of Social Justice, our diverse class offerings ensure you can tailor your studies to your unique goals. Our hands-on approach is a hallmark of the Drake experience: 100% of the Class of 2026 participated in some form of experiential learning, and 89% of our students secured a legalrelated internship, externship, or clerkship during law school.
14 | Drake Law School
Explore your interests 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
Summer in France
3+3 Programs
To further practice your passion on a global scale, our Summer in France program allows you to study comparative and international law at the University of Nantes Law School.
We also offer unique pathways to raise the bar on your career timeline, such as our 3+3 Program, which allows qualified students to earn both an undergraduate and law degree in six years rather than the usual seven.
Tailor Your Career You can signal your expertise to employers by earning one of our 12 certificates in specialized areas. Artificial Intelligence Law Business Law Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Compliance and Risk Management Constitutional Law and Civil Rights Criminal Law Food and Agricultural Law Intellectual Property Law International Law and Global Citizenship Legislative Practice Public Service Social Justice and Public Interest Lawyering
Advanced and Joint Degrees For those seeking multi-disciplinary expertise or higher specialization, we offer advanced degree options, including Master of Laws (LLM) and Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) programs. You can also enhance your career options through our diverse joint degree programs enabling you to earn both degrees in less time and at a lower cost. JD/Master of Business Administration JD/Master of Public Administration JD/Master of Arts in Political Science JD/Master of Laws JD/Master of Social Work JD/Master of Public Health JD/Master of Health Administration JD/Doctor of Pharmacy JD/Doctor of Philosophy in Education
Drake Law School | 15
Professionall Experience from Day One. Your journey to a meaningful career begins the moment you arrive on campus, with over 89% of Drake Law students gaining elite professional experience through Summer Associate jobs, Honors Judicial Clerkships, or other legal internships. Our Career Development Office acts as your strategic partner, offering personalized guidance and specialized job search tools tailored to your goals. With access to hundreds of opportunities nationwide, Drake Law offers more than 30 specialized internships for academic credit to help you build a standout portfolio. Drake Law Library 16 | Drake Law School
Internships Explore sample internships tailored to your goals:
Administrative Law Advanced Prosecutor Advanced Polk County Prosecutor Athletic Compliance Children's Rights Center Disability Rights Iowa Environmental Law Ethics Farm Bureau Federal Public Defender Honors Judicial Insurance Law Iowa Civil Rights Commission Iowa Attorney General's Office Iowa Center for Children's Justice Iowa Legal Aid Iowa Secretary of State Iowa Workers Compensation Judicial Juvenile Court Juvenile Law Juvenile Law Appellate Legislative Legislative Practice Polk County Prosecutor Prosecutor Public Defender Juvenile Practice Reintegration Advocacy Project Securities Law State Public Defender Appellate State Public Defender Supreme Court Administrative United States Attorney's Office United States Department of Agriculture Drake Law School | 17
A VIBRANT legal hub Iowa State Capitol
Downtown Des Moines
Drake Law
Where Passion Meets Opportunity. Located in the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the Midwest, Drake Law offers unparalleled access to the Iowa State Capitol, state and federal courts, and the state’s largest law firms. We provide students a distinct competitive advantage for clerkships and policy work, as well as easy access to outdoor adventures, acclaimed dining, sports, museums, and a vibrant performing arts scene.
#4
Top 100
Most Livable Metro Areas
Best Place to Live
(rentcafe.com, 2026)
(livability.com, 2026)
Top 10
#8
Best Cultural Festival
Most Affordable Place for Gen Z Homebuyers
World Food & Music Festival
(fortune.com, 2026)
(USA Today, 2026)
“
Drake’s proximity to the state capital and the epicenter of the insurance industry gave me unique access to hands-on legislative and corporate law experience.
Haley Ledford, JD'25 Deputy Legislative and Legal Counsel Iowa Bankers Association
”
Practical Experience: Iowa Senate Clerk for Ways & Means Chair Dan Dawson; Summer in France Program; U.S. Department of State Internship; Bureau of European & Eurasian Affairs; Wellabe In House Counsel Internship; Iowa Attorney General’s Office Internship, Transportation Division; Secretary of the Iowa Senate Internship with W. Charles Smithson 18 | Drake Law School
Drake Law School | 19
ANYWHERE R A I S E T H E B A R O N YO U R C A R E E R G OA L S
Your Drake Law education is a launchpad to any jurisdiction. You will join a network of over 7,000 alumni practicing in all 50 states and across the globe, from France to South Korea. For out-of-state students, our practical training provides the confidence to hit the ground running anywhere.
7,000
in
ALL
50
and across the globe
20 | Drake Law School
”
ALUMNI
States
A Portable Degree
“
Drake Law gave me the ability to think critically and has helped me simplify and communicate complex ideas.
Zack Krawiec, BN'19, JD'22, GR'22 CEO Legible AI San Antonio, Texas Drake Law Experience: Negotiations Team; Delta Theta Phi; The Federalist Society Practical Experience: Iowa Governor’s Office; R&R Real Estate Post Graduate Experience: Co-founder Legible AI (venturebacked, AI-native, policy intelligence startup); CBRE Capital Markets Drake Law School | 21
RESULTS you can count on
YOUR EDUCATION IS AN INVESTMENT, AND OUR RESULTS PROVE ITS VALUE.
90
%
Accessible Excellence
Bar Prep
90% of first-year students received scholarships this past academic year.
Unrivaled Experience
100% of graduating students participated in some type of experiential learning during law school.
Prepare for the bar with dedicated programming available throughout all three years of law school—including free supplemental bar prep.
85
%
Bar Success
Our graduates achieved an average 85% first-time bar passage rate over the past three years.
Define Your Future We invite you to experience the Drake Law difference firsthand. Schedule a personalized 1:1 tour led by current students or deans to see our collaborative culture in action. Visit us at drake.edu/law or email lawadmit@drake.edu to schedule your visit today.
Submit your free online application before April 1. Completed applications must include:
Personal Statement Employment Rate
93
%
Over the past three graduating classes, 93% of Drake Law graduates secured bar required, professional, or JD-Advantage positions within 10 months of graduation.
Letters of Recommendation Official transcripts sent to LSAC (www.lsac.org) LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report Reportable LSAT or GRE score Please visit drake.edu/law/programs/apply for more information.
Drake's live mascot, Griff III
22 | Drake Law School
Drake Law School | 23
Law School
AFFILIATIONS/ ACCREDITATIONS:
Visit our website: Drake.edu/law
@DrakeLawSchool
515-271-2782 lawadmit@drake.edu 2507 University Avenue Des Moines, IA 50311
American Bar Association 321 N. Clark St., 21st Floor Chicago, IL 60654 americanbar.org Association of American Law Schools (charter member) Chapter, Order of the Coif