Drake University Law School

Drake University Law School With the nation's only first-year trial practicum and a top-ranked legal clinic, Drake Law offers an

With the nation's only first-year trial practicum and a top-ranked legal clinic, Drake Law combines a rich history and tradition with the latest technology and an innovative curriculum.

Please join us in welcoming Tricia Scheinost to the Drake Legal Clinic as Managing Attorney and Director of Field Placem...
09/02/2026

Please join us in welcoming Tricia Scheinost to the Drake Legal Clinic as Managing Attorney and Director of Field Placements!

Tricia brings more than 17 years of experience spanning criminal defense, prosecution, legal education and judicial service. A graduate of Creighton University School of Law, her career has included serving as a public defender, Iowa magistrate judge, Mills County attorney and a sole practitioner managing her own firm.

At Drake, Tricia will oversee the daily operations of the Legal Clinic and direct the internship-for-credit program, teaching and advising students as they gain valuable experience through field placements.

Welcome to Drake Law, Tricia!

Please join us in welcoming Nick Roby back to Drake Law as an assistant professor of law!Professor Roby brings extensive...
08/31/2026

Please join us in welcoming Nick Roby back to Drake Law as an assistant professor of law!

Professor Roby brings extensive experience in tax, business and transactional law. He previously served as director and clinical professor of law for Drake Law’s Entrepreneurial and Transactional Law Clinic from 2020-2025.

Currently, Professor Roby serves as special counsel at Dentons Davis Brown. He previously served as president of Davis Brown and chair of the firm’s Business and Tax divisions. Throughout his career, his practice has focused on tax and tax-related matters, including private finance and securities, representing both large national organizations and small startups.

Professor Roby will return to Drake Law this fall to teach tax-related courses.

Welcome back to Drake Law, Professor Roby!

Please join us in welcoming Leslie Behaunek to the Drake Law faculty as an assistant professor of law!A 2012 Drake Law g...
08/24/2026

Please join us in welcoming Leslie Behaunek to the Drake Law faculty as an assistant professor of law!

A 2012 Drake Law graduate, Professor Behaunek finished first in her class, was an Opperman Scholar and served on the Drake Law Review and Drake Journal of Agricultural Law. She also captained Drake’s National Moot Court Team and served as president of the Moot Court Board.

Since graduating, Professor Behaunek has built an impressive career in litigation and appellate practice. As a partner at Nyemaster Goode, she chairs the firm’s Appellate Practice Group and conducts complex litigation. She also previously clerked for Judge Jane Kelly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and Judge James E. Gritzner of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

Professor Behaunek has also taught at Drake Law as an adjunct instructor and will return to the classroom this fall to teach Torts and torts-related courses.

Welcome back to Drake Law, Professor Behaunek!

That's a wrap on orientation week! The students took a tour of the Capitol building this morning, and took a pledge of p...
08/21/2026

That's a wrap on orientation week! The students took a tour of the Capitol building this morning, and took a pledge of professionalism this afternoon, swearing to uphold civility, justice, and honor as a Drake Law student. We look forward to officially having all of the students back next week for the start of the fall semester!

Welcome to Drake Law, Class of 2029!

A new group of 25 student attorneys were sworn in by Judge Coleman McAllister at the Drake Legal Clinic today! Throughou...
08/20/2026

A new group of 25 student attorneys were sworn in by Judge Coleman McAllister at the Drake Legal Clinic today!

Throughout the academic year, these students will gain hands-on legal experience while representing clients and working alongside supervising attorneys in the Drake Legal Clinic. They’ll take on meaningful responsibilities, from meeting with clients and researching legal issues to advocating for their clients and helping provide greater access to justice in our community.

Congratulations to our newest student attorneys! We’re excited to see all they accomplish this year.

Today, we welcomed 138 incoming 1L students to campus for the first day of orientation week! From a welcome message from...
08/18/2026

Today, we welcomed 138 incoming 1L students to campus for the first day of orientation week! From a welcome message from Dean Anderson to a special appearance by Griff III, it was a great start to the week.

We’re so excited to have you all here!

Drake University is pleased to announce Professor Jerry Anderson has been appointed interim dean of Drake University Law...
08/03/2026

Drake University is pleased to announce Professor Jerry Anderson has been appointed interim dean of Drake University Law School.

A distinguished legal scholar and proven leader, Anderson previously served as dean from 2016 to 2024 and has been a member of the Drake Law faculty for more than 35 years. During his prior tenure as dean, he helped elevate the Law School’s national profile, significantly grow its endowment, and expand practical learning opportunities for students, including the launch of the Drake Law Refugee Clinic.

Anderson will serve a one-year term while the University conducts a national search for Drake Law’s next permanent dean.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4fzH1JL

On Monday, alumni gathered at the ISBA Annual Meeting luncheon to reconnect, network, and share ideas. Attendees also he...
06/24/2026

On Monday, alumni gathered at the ISBA Annual Meeting luncheon to reconnect, network, and share ideas. Attendees also heard law school updates and key statistics from Dean Roscoe Jones, Jr., highlighting the continued growth and success of Drake Law. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Drake Law’s Criminal Defense Clinic recently joined several law school clinics and clinical professors in filing an amic...
05/28/2026

Drake Law’s Criminal Defense Clinic recently joined several law school clinics and clinical professors in filing an amicus brief in Roberts v. Thompson before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Last week, the Eighth Circuit issued a published opinion vacating the district court’s dismissal and remanding the case for further proceedings, recognizing the plaintiffs’ standing to challenge Black Hawk County’s use of confessions of judgment to collect jail fees and allowing the due process claims to move forward.

The Drake Criminal Defense Clinic participated as amici to provide context regarding the real-world impact of criminal legal debt and coercive fee collection practices on indigent individuals reentering society. The brief highlighted the ways these financial obligations entrench poverty and undermine successful reintegration.

Special recognition goes to Drake Law Criminal Defense Clinic student attorneys Britny Bergheger and Eric W. Lee II, J.D. for their outstanding work on the project, along with Professor Colleen Cullen for her leadership and advocacy in this important effort.

Pictured: Front row, from left: Britny Bergheger - first; Back row, from left: Eric Lee II - fifth, Professor Cullen - sixth.

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