Drake University Law School has received a $300,000 gift from the Sease & Wadding Law Firm to support the Children’s Rights Clinic, in memory of Sabrina Ray, a 16-year-old whose death in 2017 reinforced the need for continued evaluation and improvement of Iowa’s child welfare system.
The donation is part of a $4.175 million settlement between the State of Iowa and a sibling of Sabrina Ray. This gift has established the new Sabrina Ray Endowed Fund for the Children’s Rights Clinic at Drake Law School. The fund will support two key initiatives that honor Sabrina’s life and strengthen legal advocacy for vulnerable youth:
- The Ray of Hope Award, presented annually at the Drake Supreme Court Celebration Banquet, will recognize a student in the Children’s Rights Clinic whose advocacy on behalf of children in the juvenile court system inspires hope for a better future.
- The Sabrina Ray Justice for Children Summer Fellowship will support rising second and third year law students who secure internships with non-profit or government agencies specializing in juvenile law. The fellowship includes a stipend for summer living expenses and funding to attend a national child welfare training or conference. It aims to remove financial barriers for students entering the field and expand the pipeline of future child advocates.
“Finances are often a barrier for law students interested in public interest legal work on behalf of children,” said Professor Nickole Miller, Director of the Joan and Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights. “I am particularly excited about the creation of the Sabrina Ray Justice for Children Summer Fellowship which will provide generous summer funding for Drake Law students to intern at children’s rights organizations and attend child welfare-focused law conferences. The fellowship, together with the new Ray of Hope Award recognizing student excellence in the Children’s Rights Clinic, build strong children’s attorneys and envision a future where all children are safe, supported, and empowered.”
The Children’s Rights Clinic provides direct representation to children in child welfare and juvenile justice proceedings. The endowed fund strengthens Drake Law’s mission to train practice-ready attorneys while advancing justice for society’s most vulnerable.
“Sabrina Ray deserved a strong legal advocate and safe and loving home. These funds will be used to honor the life and legacy of Sabrina Ray by supporting and celebrating the next generation of children’s rights attorneys and giving them the tools and experiences needed to be zealous, child-centered advocates,” said Professor Miller.
— Taylor Johnson, Law School
