2023 Central States Legal Writing Conference

Embracing New Challenges and Opportunities: Ready for Impact

September 22-23, 2023

Hosted by Drake University Law School
2507 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311

Drake University Law School is pleased to host the 2023 Central States Legal Writing Conference on Sept. 22 and 23. This year’s theme, Embracing New Challenges and Opportunities: Ready for Impact, will allow attendees to explore how recent trends such as student and faculty wellness, ABA Standard 303, and ChatGPT can enhance our teaching.

Registration Information

Thank you for your interest in the Central States Legal Writing Conference hosted by Drake University Law School.

A registration fee of $75.00 covers your participation in all conference sessions as well as the reception and meals indicated in the Schedule Overview.

Conference Schedule (Tentative)

Friday, September 22

Noon - 2:00 p.m.	Registration
2:00-2:50 p.m.	Room 201 *NextGen Bar Prep: A Third Semester of Legal Writing?* Elizabeth Sherowski University of Detroit Mercy School of Law So You’re Scared to Talk About DEI? Beginner-Friendly Exercises for the LW Classroom Julia Steggerda-Corey Drake University Law School
	Room 203 *What Dancing Bear? Editing in Four Stages* Michael Tripp University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law Down with Toxic Positivity: Wellness Culture through a Community Care Lens Kim D. Ricardo University of Illinois Chicago Law
3:00-3:50 p.m.	Room 201 *Extreme Makeover (Learning Management System Edition):* *Transforming a Storeroom to a Classroom* Anne Alexander and Jayne Woods University of Missouri School of Law *Potential Impact of Pandemic-Caused Declines in Reading Test Scores* *on Future Law Students* Nicole Chong Penn State Law
	Room 203 *DEI in the LRW Classroom* Jody Marcucci DePaul University College of Law Michelle Cue DePaul University College of Law *How to Motivate Students in a Post-Covid Classroom* Stephanie Juliano Touro Law Center
4:00-4:50 p.m.	Room 201 *The Professor Is In: How Pop-Up Help Desks Help Students* Mandee Baumer Penn State Law *The Importance of Using Social Justice Issues* *in the Classroom* Randall Ryder University of Minnesota Law School Empower Tomorrow's Legal Writers Today with BriefCatch Jackie Kappus BriefCatch
	Room 203 *Enhancing Cross-Cultural Competency and Professional Identity Formation Via Interactive Student Engagement\|* Robin Juni GW Law School *The Future is Now: Teaching Students to Communicate with Large Learning Models* Deborah Sundquist O'Malley Saint Louis University School of Law
	Room 206 *Think Globally, Act Locally: Using Virtual Technology to Promote Cross-Cultural Competency* David Austin California Western School of Law (Visiting Professor at UIC Law School in Fall 2023) Mark Wojcik University of Illinois Chicago Law School
5:00-6:30 p.m.	Evening Reception Kern Commons

Saturday, September 23

8:30-9:30 a.m.	Registration/Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:50 a.m.	Room 213 Plenary Panel on Artificial Intelligence Kristen Davis Stetson Law Christoph Henkel Drake University Law School Christopher Porter Drake University Moderator: Melissa Weresh Drake University Law School
10:00-10:50 a.m.	Room 201 *From Feedback Loops to Feedback Literacy: Feedback Strategies to Make Students Great Professionals* Jennifer Spreng Southern Illinois University School of Law
	Room 203 *Professional Identity in a Legal Writing Classroom: Exercises for Helping Students Explore Their Values and Develop Professional Identity* Rebecca L. Scharf William S. Boyd School of Law/UNLV *Innovative LMS Design for a Student-Centered Experience* Rachel Stabler Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
11:00-11:50 a.m.	Room 201 *Get Ready for NextGen Assessment Methods* Wanda M. Temm University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law Maggie Eilertson Mitchell Hamline School of Law
	Room 203 *Reflecting for Impact: Using Reflective Techniques to Enhance and Develop Students’ Professional Identities Across the Curriculum* Mary Ksobiech, Dawn Anderson, and Caroline Sheerin University of Iowa College of Law
Noon-1:00 p.m.	Lunch Kern Commons
1:00-1:50 p.m.	Room 201 *Three Simple (Plus Additional Not-So-Simple) Ways to Incorporate NextGen Skills into Existing Assignments* Betsy Six University of Kansas School of Law *Arguing with ChatGPT* Brad Desnoyer Indiana University Maurer School of Law *Visual Methods: Matching Student Learning Styles* Meghan Sholy-Wells University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law
	Room 203 *Making ChatGPT Work for Us* Michelle Falkoff Northwestern Pritzker School of Law *Current Law Faculty Demographics: What's Changed?* Kristen Tiscione Georgetown University Law Center
2:00-2:50 p.m.	Room 201 *Results from Phase I: Integrating NextGen Bar Questions in First-Year Writing and Legal Ethics* Christine Rollins Saint Louis University School of Law *A Helpful Alliance: Collaborating with a Doctrinal Professor on a Closed Memo Problem* Karen Cooper Emory Law School
	Room 203 *Pouring from an Empty Cup: Teaching and Learning Post-Pandemic* Meredith Geller Northern Illinois University College of Law *Trading Legalese for “Oh, Yes Please!”: How to Train 1Ls to Embrace Conversational Writing* Kirsten Williams U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
2:30 - 3:15 p.m.	Kern Commons Closing Remarks (Ice cream treats!)

Scholars' Forum

Once again, the Central States Conference is pleased to host a Scholars' Forum. The forum will begin Friday morning and run through lunch leading up to the start of the conference. If you are interested in participating or have questions, please reach out to Brad Desnoyer.

Travel and Accommodations

Getting to Des Moines

The Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is a short cab or ride share ride from campus. (Unfortunately, the conference hotel does not offer an airport shuttle.)

Two additional airports in the region may offer lower airfares than DSM.

The airport in Omaha (OMA), Eppley Field, is an approximately two hour drive to Drake's campus. The Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is a slightly under three hour drive. You will need to rent a car for these options. The conference hotel, Home2Suites, offers complimentary, on-site parking.

Hotel Accommodations

Special rates for conference attendees are available at the following hotel:

Home2Suites Des Moines at Drake University
2650 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311
515-264-7960
Rate: $159/night
Click here to reserve a room.
Please note: The default booking is for a Thursday through Sunday reservation. If you are not booking for that entire time, you will need to change the dates before selecting a room.

Find more information about attractions and events in Des Moines here.

Campus Parking

Campus parking is available in Lot 1. Lot 1 is located on 25th Street between Carpenter and Forest Avenues. All conference sessions will be held in Cartwright Hall, 2621 Carpenter Avenue. - approx. two blocks from Lot 1.

Parking passes are only required for Friday's sessions. (Passes are not necessary on the weekend.)