Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Certificate

The Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolute Certificate is designed for students with an interest in trial advocacy and litigation.

Download the Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Certification Checklist.

See Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Certificate Learning Outcomes.

Curriculum

To receive certification in Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution, students must earn 19 credits (in addition to 10 JD required credits) in accordance with the requirements listed below.

If a student completes the Summer ILOTA Poverty Law Internship, the total number of credits required is reduced to 25.

JD Required Courses

Civil Procedure - Constitutional Framework (3 credits)
Civil Procedure - Process of Litigation (3 credits)
Evidence (4 credits)

Required Elective Courses       

Conflict of Laws (3 credits)
Federal Courts and Jurisdiction (3 credits)

Advocacy Courses

Minimum of one course in each category:

Pretrial:
     Mediation (2 credits)
     Moot Court - Client Counseling (1 credit)
     Moot Court - Negotiations (1 credit)
     Pretrial Advocacy (3 credits)

Trial:
     Mock Trial (National or AAJ) (3 credits)
     Moot Court - Arbitration (1 credit)
     Trial Advocacy (3 credits)

Appellate:
     Appellate Advocacy (2 credits)
     Honors Judicial Internship (6 credits)
     Iowa Supreme Court Scholar Research Opportunity (3 credits)
     Moot Court – ABA Competition (2 credits)
     Moot Court – Environmental Law Competition (2 credits)
     Moot Court – IP Competition (2 credits)
     Moot Court – National Competition (2 credits)

Client Representation Experience

Minimum of one course:
Children’s Rights Clinic (4-6 credits)
General Civil Practice Clinic (4-6 credits) 
Summer IOLTA Poverty Law Internship

Advanced & Special Topic Courses

Minimum of 2 credits:
Administrative Law (3 credits)
Advanced Constitutional Law and Interpretation (2 credits)
Advanced General Practice Clinic (4 credits)
Constitutional Litigation (2-3 credits)
Criminal Defense Clinic (4-6 credits)
Education Law (2 credits)
Election Law (2-3 credits)
Employment Law (2 credits)
Environmental Practice (3 credits)
First Amendment Seminar (3 credits)
Intellectual Property Litigation (3 credits)
Justice Reform and Innovation (2 credits)
Medical Malpractice (2 credits)
Negotiations (2 credits)
Products Liability (3 credits)
Sexual Harassment and Modern Torts (3 credits)
Sports and Antitrust Law (3 credits)
Workers Compensation (2 credits)

For more information, see Drake Law School's course descriptions.

Program Director:

Erin Lain, Associate Dean and Professor of Law
515-271-2040 erin.lain@drake.edu
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