Distinguished Graduates: Notable Alumni of the University of Iowa College of Law

Since its establishment in 1865, the University of Iowa College of Law has been a cornerstone of legal education, conferring over 13,000 law degrees. Its extensive network comprises more than 11,000 living alumni, practicing across all 50 states and in 50 countries. These graduates have distinguished themselves in their professions and communities, reflecting the college's commitment to supporting both its students and alumni through resources like transcript services, bar exam information, and career counseling. The annual Alumni Awards program further recognizes the significant achievements of alumni in their careers and service to the College of Law. The University of Iowa College of Law upholds a longstanding tradition of justice, access, and academic excellence.

Pioneers and Early Graduates

The University of Iowa has been at the forefront of inclusivity since its early years. In 1855, it became the first public university to admit men and women on an equal basis. This commitment extended to its law school, which was among the first in the nation to grant law degrees to a woman (Mary Beth Hickey, 1873), an African-American (Alexander Clark, Jr., 1879), and an international student (Moung Edwin, 1879).

Alexander Clark, Jr.

Alexander Clark, Jr. was Iowa Law's first African-American graduate in 1879. He later served as Ambassador to Liberia. His father, Alexander Clark, Sr., was also a significant figure, having successfully litigated an Iowa Supreme Court case, Clark v. Board of Directors, in 1868, which affirmed the right to public education for all citizens under the Iowa Constitution.

Mary Beth Hickey

In 1873, Mary Beth Hickey became the first woman to graduate from Iowa Law, marking a significant milestone in the history of legal education.

Leaders in Public Service and Government

Iowa Law alumni have a strong tradition of public service, with many graduates serving in prominent roles in government and politics.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

George W. Wright

George W. Wright co-founded the Iowa School of Law (now the University of Iowa College of Law) with Justice Chester Cole in 1865. He also served as a Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court.

Chester Cole

Co-founded the Iowa School of Law (now the University of Iowa College of Law) with Justice George W. Wright in 1865.

Bourke B. Hickenlooper

Bourke B. Hickenlooper was a prominent figure in Iowa politics, serving as both Governor and a U.S. Senator.

Lester J. Dickinson

Lester J. Dickinson represented Iowa in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

William S. Kenyon

William S. Kenyon served as a U.S. Senator from Iowa.

Read also: Westfield State University Legacy

Thomas E. Martin

Thomas E. Martin was a U.S. Representative and Senator for Iowa.

George A. Wilson

George A. Wilson served as a U.S. Senator from Iowa.

Norm Coleman

Norm Coleman is a former U.S. Senator from Minnesota.

Jim Leach

Jim Leach served as a U.S. Representative for Iowa from 1977 to 2007. He later became the chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities and a visiting professor of law at the University of Iowa.

Brian H. Hook

Brian H. Hook served as a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush.

Judiciary

Many Iowa Law alumni have distinguished themselves as judges at both the state and federal levels.

Federal Judges

Several alumni have served as judges in the federal court system.

William Cook Hanson: Served as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa.
Donald P. Lay: Served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Ronald E. Longstaff: Served as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa.
Edward J. McManus: Served as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Iowa.
Michael J. Melloy: Served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Roy L. Stephenson: Served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Philip W. Tone: Served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Harold Vietor: Served as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa.
Charles Robert Wolle: Served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

State Supreme Court Justices

Iowa Law has produced numerous justices who have served on state supreme courts.

Rita B. Garman: Served on the Illinois Supreme Court.
Ronald Moon: Served as Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court.
Charles R. Wolle: Served on the Iowa Supreme Court.
Dana L. Oxley: Current Justice on the Iowa Supreme Court.
Christopher McDonald: Current Justice on the Iowa Supreme Court.

Legal Scholars and Academics

Iowa Law alumni have also made significant contributions to legal scholarship and academia.

David Baldus

David Baldus (1969-2011) was a notable academic in the field of Capital Punishment. His research was a key component in Furman v. Georgia.

Herbert F. Goodrich

Herbert F. Goodrich was a professor at Iowa Law and co-established the Iowa Law Review.

Leaders in the Legal Profession

Melvin Shaw

Melvin Shaw, a 2004 graduate, was recognized with the Alumni Service Award for his leadership as the 138th president of the Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA) and his efforts to improve the legal profession’s services to Iowans.

Gretchen Wolf

Gretchen Wolf, a 2002 graduate, received the Iowa Law Review Distinguished Alumni Award. She is a litigation partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, focusing on white-collar defense and investigations.

Achievers in Various Fields

Tara Sutton

Tara Sutton, a 1992 graduate, received the Alumni Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions in trial litigation. She is a partner at Robins Kaplan LLP and chair of the firm’s National Mass Tort Group. Sutton has pursued litigation against Big Tobacco, e-cigarettes, and is leading work on behalf of multiple native nations against several social media companies.

Mackensie Graham

Mackensie Graham, a 2021 graduate, received the Emerging Leader Award. She founded her own law firm, Ampersand Legal PLLC, in 2024, focused on providing accessible, transparent legal services to entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Duke Slater

Duke Slater was an outstanding athlete who played in the National Football League (NFL).

Rob Sand

Rising Star Profile: Rob Sand.

The Mock Trial Program

The mock trial program at Iowa Law has been instrumental in developing future lawyers and leaders across different sectors. Zach Noonan, a law student at Drake University, credits his participation in mock trial for leading him to law school and encouraging him to start his career in Iowa.

Law School Deans

The University of Iowa College of Law has had many influential deans throughout its history, including:

1868-1881: William G. Hammond
1890-1901: Emlin McClain
1916-1921: Dudley Odell McGovney
1939-1966: Mason Ladd
1976-2004: N. William Hines
2004-2010: Carolyn C. Jones
2010-2018: Gail B. Agrawal

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