Academics
Academics
Legislative Practice
About the Center |
About the Center
As the spectrum of law opportunities expands, more students are exploring careers in government service at the federal, state and local levels where legislative and administrative policies are set. Recognizing this, the Center for Legislative Practice combines classroom study and hands-on experiences to help students understand law-making processes. Equipped with a thorough background of the legislative process, students are prepared to work for administrative or government agencies, to research and draft legislation, to represent businesses and organizations with government interests, or to work in a variety of other public policy-making positions.
Faculty
The director of the Center for Legislative Practice is Julie Smith, legislative lobbyist, attorney, and former Legislative Service Bureau legal counsel. Ms. Smith monitors the third-year lobbying internships at the State Capitol and teaches the third year Legislative Practice course. Her extensive experience as a legislative drafter for the General Assembly and her years as a lobbyist make her uniquely qualified for this position. Ms. Smith received her law degree from the University of Iowa.
Neil Hamilton, the Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Law and director of the Agricultural Law Center, oversees the legislative internship program. He is one of the nation's leading authorities on the role of law in shaping agriculture and has extensive expertise in policies regulating legislative affairs. Professor Hamilton received his law degree from the University of Iowa.
Jerry Foxhoven, Executive Director, Drake University Legal Clinic, and Director of the Joan & Lyle Middleton Center for Children's Rights, Drake University, Des Moines
Press Releases & Related Materials
Drake Law Students Celebrate Bill Signing, Drake University Press Release, May 28, 2009
Lawmaking 101, State Legislatures Magazine - October/November 2008
