FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2005

CONTACT: Daniel P. Finney, (515) 271-2833 or Daniel.Finney@drake.edu

BELOVED DRAKE LAW PROFESSOR HONORED WITH PORTRAIT

The Drake University Law School recently honored Daniel L. Power, professor emeritus of law, for more than 30 years of service to the University with a portrait that will hang in the Neal and Bea Smith Law Center, 2400 University Ave.

The portrait, painted by artist Mary Muller, shows the beloved professor who was a major trailblazer for Drake’s clinical education programs, with an American flag pin on one lapel and an Irish flag on the other. Power delivers green carnations to various campus staff members every year on St. Patrick’s Day and has organized exchange programs for Irish and Iowa lawyers for several years.

As passionate as Power is about Ireland, he is more passionate about the law.

“The truest reason for being a lawyer is justice – to see justice done for all humankind in all contexts,” Power said. “It is one of the most delightfully consuming and compelling causes for being alive.”

Power came to Drake in 1971 after serving in the United States Department of Justice in the tax division where his trial practice was national in scope. He had served as general counsel in the U.S. House of Representatives for one of its select committees.

Power believed in the importance of clinical education in the nation’s law schools and came to Drake to establish a program based on his vision. He developed the Senior Citizens Legal Services Program, a Rural Legal Assistance Program and a Judicial Internship Program that allows students to work with federal and state judges in nearly 40 states.

He helped establish Drake’s Prosecutor Internship Program and create the University’s Criminal Legal Defense Clinic. He also enlisted the support of former Rep. Neal Smith to create the Neal and Bea Smith Law Center, which houses Drake’s clinical programs today.

“In the process, Power helped to prepare countless good lawyers and render extraordinary service, and he made countless good friends, too,” said David Walker, dean of Drake Law School, after the portrait was unveiled of the law school’s Supreme Court Banquet last Saturday. “He has an Irish strain that gives him pride, a natural charm and exuberance, a delight in life, family and a gift of humor and good company.”

Outside Drake, Power has served as president of the Iowa AARP and has twice been honored by the Governor of Iowa for distinguished volunteerism.

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