Drake Law School once again earned a place on preLaw magazine’s list of “Best Law Schools for Practical Training.” Law schools were graded based on key offerings such as clinics, externships, simulation courses, and moot court participation. The annual rankings were featured in the Spring 2022 issue of the magazine.

“At Drake Law, we like to say that ‘practice makes professional,’” said Drake Law School Dean Jerry Anderson. “Practical training is key to ensuring that Drake Law students are ready to excel after graduation. In addition to an outstanding foundation in legal theory, students gain real-world experience through clinical programs, internships, and clerkships. At graduation, they have the skills and experiences they need to hit the ground running, making them strong candidates for many different employment opportunities.”

Drake Law School provides numerous experiential learning opportunities to students, beginning in their first year with two intra-school moot court competitions and the unique First-Year Trial Practicum. Drake is the only law school in the country where all first-year classes shift to a campus courtroom for a week, enabling students to view an actual state or federal trial. The Trial Practicum dissects every phase of a trial, from jury selection to verdict. Not only do students witness a trial, but they also have opportunities to discuss the proceedings with the presiding judge, lawyers and jurors.

Drake Law’s legal clinics give students the opportunity to build valuable professional experience by working with clients in real-world situations. Clinics include the Children’s Rights Clinic, Criminal Defense Clinic, General Civil Practice Clinic, Transactional/Entrepreneurial Clinic, Refugee Clinic, and Wrongful Convictions Clinic.

As the only law school in the capital city of Des Moines, Drake Law students have countless opportunities to participate in internships, externships, and clerkships. Students have served as legislative interns, drafted legislation, tried and won felony jury trials, interned for the Iowa Supreme Court, worked for government agencies and nonprofits, and more.

Drake Law students also develop practical skills in interschool competitions at the regional and national levels. The Law School sponsors nine Moot Court, Mock Trial, and skills teams, which annually are among the best in the nation.

“Many law schools like to say they teach students to think like a lawyer,” said Dean Jerry Anderson. “We teach them to be one.”

— Terri Howard, Law School