Supreme Court Celebration

Join us for a celebration of Drake Law School's long-standing relationship with the Iowa Supreme Court.

Drake Law School's annual Supreme Court Celebration celebrates the history of academic excellence, leadership, and service at Drake Law and honors the Law School's symbiotic relationship with the Iowa Supreme Court. The 89th annual Supreme Court Celebration is March 25-28, 2026. 

2026 Schedule of Events 

Wednesday, March 25

• Student Bar Association Lunch and Awards Ceremony
  Noon, Cartwright Hall, Kern Commons
• Moot Court Dinner and Awards Ceremony
  6 p.m., Cartwright Hall, Kern Commons 

Thursday, March 26

• Student breakfast with the Justices of the Iowa Supreme Court
  8:30 a.m., Neal & Bea Smith Law Center
• Supreme Court Oral Arguments
  9:30 a.m., Neal & Bea Smith Law Center Courtroom
• Faculty lunch with Supreme Court Justices
  11:30 a.m., Neal & Bea Smith Law Center
• Final round of the Supreme Court Celebration Competition
  2 p.m., Iowa Supreme Court, 1111 E. Court Avenue
• Drake Journal of Agricultural Law Dinner and Awards Ceremony
  6 p.m., Cartwright Hall, Kern Commons 

Friday, March 27

• Drake Law Review Dinner and Awards Ceremony
  6 p.m., Cartwright Hall, Kern Commons 

Saturday, March 28

• Supreme Court Celebration Banquet and Awards Ceremony
  6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner, Olmsted Center, Parents Hall

2025 Awards and Recognition

Alumna of the Year
Anjela A. Shutts, JD'96 

Recent Alumna of the Year
Elizabeth A. Van Arkel, JD'12

Distinguished Public Service Award
Hon. Mark W. Bennett, JD'75

Learn more about the alumni award winners.

2024 Awards Recipients

• Academic Awards
• Alumni of the Year Recipients
• Drake Journal of Agricultural Law Awards
• Drake Law Review Awards
• Faculty Awards
• Law School Awards
• Moot Court Awards
• SBA Awards

Photos

View photos of 2024 Supreme Court Celebration events:

• Supreme Court Celebration Banquet and Awards Ceremony
• Moot Court Luncheon
• Drake Law Review Dinner
• Drake Journal of Agricultural Law Dinner

Past Keynote Speakers

See also a list of past Supreme Court Celebration programs.