Iowa 2012 Forum

[IpunchedCharlieRose]

I'm going to the Chicago meet and greet. Looks like a nice place. I'll be sure to tuck in my shirt and everything.

[mikeytwoshoes]

I'm going to the Chicago meet and greet. Looks like a nice place. I'll be sure to tuck in my shirt and everything.

Try not to punch the alumni.

[Whitty]

Well friends it looks as though I will try to make one of the meet-ups this summer, the jury is still out on the location but why oh why did they plan the Iowa city meet-up on the 4th??!! Sheesh, kindof a busy time in these parts.

Also, an update on this whole "new to Iowa" observation list. Everything smells like bacon. That is all.

[IlliChica]

Anyone living in The Lodge?

If so, what's your floorplan/rent?

How strict was the application/credit check?

I'm trying to see how far that is from the law school right now. They told me that all the 1brs are gone. I don't want a roomate! But a lot of these other places look like crap. And unfortunately, many of the Craigslist apts don't show pictures... Meaning they probably look like crap as well!

[rainmaker614]

Anyone living in The Lodge?

If so, what's your floorplan/rent?

How strict was the application/credit check?

I'm trying to see how far that is from the law school right now. They told me that all the 1brs are gone. I don't want a roomate! But a lot of these other places look like crap. And unfortunately, many of the Craigslist apts don't show pictures... Meaning they probably look like crap as well!

The Lodge isn't far from the law school but I wouldn't call it easy walking distance. It's across from a Walmart on the main road right after Benton street from what I remember and so it's behind all of the other apartment complexes on Benton street. The complex is big but the feeling I got from the place was that it was mostly a bunch of undergraduates that were looking for a "fun" place to live and meet, which isn't too cool if you're looking for some quiet study time or just don't want to be with a bunch of undergrads. It was very..... dorm like.

As for the ones on Craigslist, just ask for pictures and they'll send them. Some of the complexes are pretty nice and the fact that they aren't furnished (I think the Lodge had furnished apartments), means they can be a hell of a lot nicer than the rooms at the Lodge. If walking distance to the law school isn't a huge issue there are some nice apartments in Coralville, which isn't far driving wise.

[IlliChica]

Anyone living in The Lodge?

If so, what's your floorplan/rent?

How strict was the application/credit check?

I'm trying to see how far that is from the law school right now. They told me that all the 1brs are gone. I don't want a roomate! But a lot of these other places look like crap. And unfortunately, many of the Craigslist apts don't show pictures... Meaning they probably look like crap as well!

The Lodge isn't far from the law school but I wouldn't call it easy walking distance. It's across from a Walmart on the main road right after Benton street from what I remember and so it's behind all of the other apartment complexes on Benton street. The complex is big but the feeling I got from the place was that it was mostly a bunch of undergraduates that were looking for a "fun" place to live and meet, which isn't too cool if you're looking for some quiet study time or just don't want to be with a bunch of undergrads. It was very..... dorm like.

As for the ones on Craigslist, just ask for pictures and they'll send them. Some of the complexes are pretty nice and the fact that they aren't furnished (I think the Lodge had furnished apartments), means they can be a hell of a lot nicer than the rooms at the Lodge. If walking distance to the law school isn't a huge issue there are some nice apartments in Coralville, which isn't far driving wise.

Thanks. I understand what you're saying about the undergrad issue. I'm kinda disappointed about the unfurnished aspect. Almost ALL apartments in my undergrad town came furnished. It's really annoying that I might have to buy furniture to go to IC. I liked that The Lodge looked clean and new. Can anyone suggest some of the nicer complexes, (more modern, clean) preferably ones that come furnished?

[IlliChica]

Also, did someone start an IOWA 2012 facebook group? If not... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

[giaps2]

I was just in IC this past weekend and I looked at The Lodge. They paint a pretty picture on the tour, but the reviews online made some unforgivable accusations. I'm still looking around but I'm worrying that I'll have to either get a 2 bedroom by myself unless I luck out. I know what you mean about the furnishing issue, all the apts in Champaign come furnished.

[Whitty]

Avoid The Lodge like the plague.

Ye have been warned.



For those of you still looking for housing the best advice I can offer is to check out Seville and Carriage Hill, they are pretty nice/close/reasonably priced. Just E-mail the management and see if there are any left available.

[IlliChica]

Avoid The Lodge like the plague.

Ye have been warned.



For those of you still looking for housing the best advice I can offer is to check out Seville and Carriage Hill, they are pretty nice/close/reasonably priced. Just E-mail the management and see if there are any left available.

Heeded!

[dt22]

Myself: from Iowa, hoping to go to school on one of the coasts.
Question to you: why did you choose to go with Iowa Law?

[IlliChica]

Myself: from Iowa, hoping to go to school on one of the coasts.
Question to you: why did you choose to go with Iowa Law?

One of the higher-ranked schools that accepted me and when I visited, I really liked the vibe.

[dt22]

Myself: from Iowa, hoping to go to school on one of the coasts.
Question to you: why did you choose to go with Iowa Law?

One of the higher-ranked schools that accepted me and when I visited, I really liked the vibe.

Huh..

a. seems like the university is ranked higher compared to the law school itself, from what i've read
b. I visited also, but during winter time...everything seemed gray and sad..maybe it was the season that made a difference for me...Even Drake law (blaaah) felt better....Also, not a very large focus on international law (understandably), which is what I'm interested in.

what's your potential focus?

[mikeytwoshoes]

Myself: from Iowa, hoping to go to school on one of the coasts.
Question to you: why did you choose to go with Iowa Law?

One of the higher-ranked schools that accepted me and when I visited, I really liked the vibe.

Huh..

a. seems like the university is ranked higher compared to the law school itself, from what i've read
b. I visited also, but during winter time...everything seemed gray and sad..maybe it was the season that made a difference for me...Even Drake law (blaaah) felt better....Also, not a very large focus on international law (understandably), which is what I'm interested in.

what's your potential focus?

LIAR!

http://www.law.uiowa.edu/academics/iclp/index.php

About the Program

In keeping with its educational mission of encouraging the acquisition of both broad social awareness and technical professional competence, The University of Iowa College of Law offers a strong program of study in the rapidly expanding fields of international and comparative law. It does so for essentially three reasons:

* In an era of global interdependence, one must understand international law and foreign legal systems in order to be an effective lawyer.
* As professionals and community leaders, lawyers familiar with international and comparative law are crucial to the formulation of public policy at all levels of our society.
* The study of international and comparative law provides an essential theoretical foundation for all lawyers by affording unique insight into the nature of law and legal process.

The links below provide more information about the program.

Courses
Iowa offers a broad range of opportunities to study international and comparative law in its curriculum. Particular specialties include comparative law, European Union law, international business law, the law of international economic institutions, international environmental law, the law of international finance, international human rights law, the law governing international organizations and the conduct of United States' foreign policy, the law of war, and legal reform in Africa and the Near East, East and Southeast Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the successor countries to the Soviet Union.

The courses listed here include all UI-appoved Collge of Law courses in these subject areas. The college does not offer each course every year. The College of Law Guide to Courses (254KB PDF*) contains a list of courses that have been offered within the past two academic years. It also lists courses the college expects to offer during the next academic year.

* Advanced Problems in International Business and Economic Relations
* Advanced Problems in International Environmental Law
* Comparative Constitutional Law
* Comparative Law
* Comparative Law in Post Communist Countries
* Cultural Property/Heritage
* European Union Law
* Family Law in the World Community
* Foreign Comparative & International Legal Research
* Foreign Relations Law
* Human Rights in the World Community
* Immigration
* International Business Transactions
* International Commercial Arbitration
* International Criminal Law
* International Environmental Law
* International Trade Law: Basic Norms & Regulations
* Introduction to the Law of France & the European Union
* Introduction to Public International Law
* Law in the Muslim World
* Law of War, Peace, and Military Affairs
* National Security Law & Government Power in Emergencies
* Private International Finance
* Problems of International Law
* Rethinking Public International Law

Student Opportunities in International Issues
From speakers and symposia to a law library with an outstanding array of international resources, a variety of opportunities exist for all students to get involved in international issues without even leaving the College of Law. Co-curricular and extra curricular activities include:

Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems (TLCP)
International Law Society (ILS)
Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition

Centers for International and Comparative Law Issues
The University of Iowa College of Law is affiliated with two centers that tackle International and Comparative Law issues. For more information on these centers and their ongoing projects, please click on the links provided below.

UI Center for Human Rights
UI Center for International Finance & Development

International Opportunities Outside the College
Beyond the college, ample international and foreign area studies programs offered through other University of Iowa colleges, departments, and centers enable students to supplement their foreign and comparative law study either through a joint degree program or through individual courses. In particular, students interested in international and comparative areas are encouraged to develop and maintain their foreign language skills.

Study Abroad
Joint Degree Programs

Faculty

The College of Law ensures that all of its students are exposed to international perspectives. With the exception of the special LLM tutorial and writing seminar, LLM students take their courses with JD students from the school's rich offerings on U.S., international, and comparative law. Foreign research scholars also audit some courses. As a JD student, you might, for example, sit in one of your first-year classes with a Chinese judge or a young German lawyer, or take an upper-level seminar with students from Zimbabwe, Mexico, or Korea.

The following professors provide the chief teaching and research support for the International and Comparative Program at the College of Law.

Patricia N. Acton
John Allen
David C. Baldus
Willard L. Boyd
Steven J. Burton
William G. Buss
Jonathan Carlson
Enrique R. Carrasco
Marcella David
Alexander Domrin
Ann Estin
Don Ford
Mark Janis
Nicholas Johnson
John C. Reitz
Christopher Rossi
Wendie Schneider
Mark Sidel
Alexander Somek
Lea VanderVelde
Burns H. Weston
Adrien Katherine Wing
Tung Yin

What do you expect from a large focus on international law?

[Whitty]

Holy giant post Mikey!

[mikeytwoshoes]

Holy giant post Mikey!

How else to disprove the contention that Iowa lacks a large focus on international law?

[coolkatz321]

You cannot focus on something that doesn't exist. International law is a nonexistent myth, get over it.

[isustudent]

I have also heard the Lodge is absolutely terrible. Filled with loud, drunk undergrads

[westside123]

There is no such thing as "international law." I'll say it again, there is no such thing as "international law." This so-called area of academic focus is nothing but a smoke and mirrors (shock and awe?) marketing tool designed to rope in students who think they'll be using their law degrees to save people in Darfur.

With regard to the law school at Iowa, the school tries to market itself as a law school with an "international focus," whatever that means, but there is positively no mentoring or guidance provided for those wanting to pursue real, viable avenues of legal practice where dealing with cross-border legal issues/interaction (say, M&A work, FDI, intellectual property rights, international trade) is a prime component.


There was a so-called information meeting with faculty members who have an "international" orientation, and the head of the "international program" told students, flat-out, that "there are firms out there that engage in international work, but you won't get those jobs (emphasis added)(again, Iowa students, regardless of how well they may do, being told to forget about employment opportunities). But you can still be involved in international work on your own."

Here’s a tip for you, instead of telling your students that they aren’t competitive for the jobs they want, how about getting off your rear-end and making the necessary connections with the firms out there and touting your students so that they have viable career opportunities. The faculty members who have a so-called "international" orientation have no interest in mentoring or guiding those students who want to pursue legal careers with such a focus. They either tell students that they should forget about pursuing such employment options (afterall, they won’t get those jobs, anyway), or they give students the brush-off (while thinking that such students are too stupid to see that they’re being rebuffed) because they have more important things to do (like directing their efforts toward moving up the law school food chain to obtain a teaching position at a better school) than to spend time with someone who didn't get into Harvard.

As far as faculty members mentioned, here's a current update:

Patricia N. Acton - Iowa graduate; not a real professor - is a clinical professor; virtually no experience outside of the state.

John Allen - not a real professor - is a clinical professor; no discernable experience dealing with real world cross-border legal practice/issues.

David C. Baldus - very smart, but very close to retirement.

Willard L. Boyd - near retirement age, and virtually no discernable experience dealing with real world cross-border legal practice/issues or any having to do with real world legal practice.

Steven J. Burton - very smart, has a bit of an odd teaching style; very knowledgeable about international arbitration/mediation.

William G. Buss -one of the, if not the, smartest faculty members at Iowa. Very sharp mind, and very empathetic towards intelligent motivated students. Knows his stuff inside and out. Also near retirement.

Jonathan Carlson - smart guy, not too much real world experience and not too interested in dealing with students.

Enrique R. Carrasco - smart, good teacher. actually has some real world experience with cross-border legal practice/issues.

Marcella David - is a University/Law School administrator. Forcuses on diversity issues. Enough said.

Alexander Domrin - smart, good teacher. knows his stuff. should be on the faculty rather than just an adjunct.

Mark Janis - very smart, very good teacher. knows his stuff inside and out. But, is leaving Iowa to go to Indiana. His departure is another sign that Iowa is on a downward trend.

Nicholas Johnson -smart, knows his stuff, but his stuff is outdated by decades. He is not a real professor/faculty member - he is a lecturer/adjunct. Hasn't done much of anything of professional or academic note in almost forty years. Expects students to treat him like he's a legal god, but hasn't done anything in decades to justify this expectation; infantile, vindictive towards students/people who fail to recognize his greatness; has a history -dating back to his last real job in 1973 - of stabbing people in the back.

John C. Reitz - see above note about the head of the "international program" at Iowa.

Christopher Rossi - smart, knows his stuff. should be a full faculty member instead of some of those do-nothing adjuncts.

Wendie Schneider - no longer there. the word is that she decided not to stay at Iowa and left after one year because she found the environment somewhat hostile.

Mark Sidel - smart, accomplished, and wants nothing whatsoever to do with students in any way, shape or form. He went to Princeton, Yale and Columbia and you didn't. Won't even talk to you about anything having anything to do with anything. Doesn't want to have anything to do with tuition paying students. Only interested in his own career advancement.

Alexander Somek - serious communication difficulties. out there.

Lea VanderVelde - hostile toward students and has been said to be in some other space.

Burns H. Weston - gone; retired.

Adrien Katherine Wing - her entire focus is on diversity topics; enough said.

Tung Yin - smart, empathetic teacher. One of the few people at Iowa who is genuinely interested in speaking with and advising students. But, is leaving Iowa to go to Lewis & Clark, I believe. His departure is another sign that Iowa is on a downward trend.

[giaps2]

Is anyone who is attending the Chigcao ASG still looking for an apartment? I ask because most of the nice places I've found only have 2 bedrooms available and after having spent the past 2 years in apartment complexes that were sub-par, I don't want to compromise on where I am going to spend the next year. I would gladly sign a lease with another law student if it meant we could live in a nice place and split the $900 or so rather than have a two bedroom to myself with a large bill.

[coolkatz321]

There is no such thing as "international law." I'll say it again, there is no such thing as "international law." This so-called area of academic focus is nothing but a smoke and mirrors (shock and awe?) marketing tool designed to rope in students who think they'll be using their law degrees to save people in Darfur.

With regard to the law school at Iowa, the school tries to market itself as a law school with an "international focus," whatever that means, but there is positively no mentoring or guidance provided for those wanting to pursue real, viable avenues of legal practice where dealing with cross-border legal issues/interaction (say, M&A work, FDI, intellectual property rights, international trade) is a prime component.


There was a so-called information meeting with faculty members who have an "international" orientation, and the head of the "international program" told students, flat-out, that "there are firms out there that engage in international work, but you won't get those jobs (emphasis added)(again, Iowa students, regardless of how well they may do, being told to forget about employment opportunities). But you can still be involved in international work on your own."

Here’s a tip for you, instead of telling your students that they aren’t competitive for the jobs they want, how about getting off your rear-end and making the necessary connections with the firms out there and touting your students so that they have viable career opportunities. The faculty members who have a so-called "international" orientation have no interest in mentoring or guiding those students who want to pursue legal careers with such a focus. They either tell students that they should forget about pursuing such employment options (afterall, they won’t get those jobs, anyway), or they give students the brush-off (while thinking that such students are too stupid to see that they’re being rebuffed) because they have more important things to do (like directing their efforts toward moving up the law school food chain to obtain a teaching position at a better school) than to spend time with someone who didn't get into Harvard.

As far as faculty members mentioned, here's a current update:

Patricia N. Acton - Iowa graduate; virtually no experience outside of the state.

John Allen - no discernable experience dealing with real world cross-border legal practice/issues.

David C. Baldus - very smart, but very close to retirement.

Willard L. Boyd - near retirement age, and virtually no discernable experience dealing with real world cross-border legal practice/issues.

Steven J. Burton - very smart, has a bit of an odd teaching style; very knowledgeable about international arbitration/mediation.

William G. Buss -one of the, if not the, smartest faculty members at Iowa. Very sharp mind, and very empathetic towards intelligent motivated students. Knows his stuff inside and out. Also near retirement.

Jonathan Carlson - smart guy, not too much real world experience and not too interested in dealing with students.

Enrique R. Carrasco - smart, good teacher. actually has some real world experience with cross-border legal practice/issues.

Marcella David - is more of a University/Law School administrator. Forcuses on diversity issues. Enough said.

Alexander Domrin - smart, good teacher. knows his stuff. should be on the faculty rather than just an adjunct.

Mark Janis - very smart, very good teacher. knows his stuff inside and out. But, is leaving Iowa to go to Indiana. His departure is another sign that Iowa is on a downward trend.

Nicholas Johnson -smart, knows his stuff, but his stuff is outdated by decades. He is not a faculty member - he is a lecturer/adjunct. Hasn't done much of anything of professional or academic note in almost forty years. Expects students to treat him like he's a legal god, but hasn't done anything in decades to justify this expectation.

John C. Reitz - see above note about the head of the "international program" at Iowa.

Christopher Rossi - smart, knows his stuff. should be a full faculty member instead of some of those do-nothing adjuncts.

Wendie Schneider - no longer there. the word is that she decided not to stay at Iowa and left after one year because she found the environment somewhat hostile.

Mark Sidel - smart, accomplished, and wants nothing whatsoever to do with students in any, way, shape or form. He went to Princeton, Yale and Columbia and you didn't. Won't even talk to you about anything having anything to do with anything. Doesn't want to have anything to do with tuition paying students. Only interested in his own career advancement.

Alexander Somek - serious communication difficulties. out there.

Lea VanderVelde - hostile toward students and has been said to be in some other space.

Burns H. Weston - gone; retired.

Adrien Katherine Wing - her entire focus is on diversity topics; enough said.

Tung Yin - smart, empathetic teacher. One of the few people at Iowa who is genuinely interested in speaking with and advising students. But, is leaving Iowa to go to Lewis & Clark, I believe. His departure is another sign that Iowa is on a downward trend.

Ouch.

[IlliChica]

Is anyone who is attending the Chigcao ASG still looking for an apartment? I ask because most of the nice places I've found only have 2 bedrooms available and after having spent the past 2 years in apartment complexes that were sub-par, I don't want to compromise on where I am going to spend the next year. I would gladly sign a lease with another law student if it meant we could live in a nice place and split the $900 or so rather than have a two bedroom to myself with a large bill.

I've been thinking about this as well. I haven't signed a lease yet and I don't plan on doing so until like the 1st week of July (if I don't get off another wait list) so I feel this may be a dilemma for me as well. You wouldn't happen to be female, would you?

[giaps2]

I've been thinking about this as well. I haven't signed a lease yet and I don't plan on doing so until like the 1st week of July (if I don't get off another wait list) so I feel this may be a dilemma for me as well. You wouldn't happen to be female, would you?

Sorry, no such luck. But good luck with the wait list/finding a place, I'm going to give the looking another shot this weekend.

[NorseHawk]

Myself: from Iowa, hoping to go to school on one of the coasts.
Question to you: why did you choose to go with Iowa Law?

One of the higher-ranked schools that accepted me and when I visited, I really liked the vibe.

Huh..

a. seems like the university is ranked higher compared to the law school itself, from what i've read

That's not true at all.

Anyway, I'm also from Iowa. I decided on the U of I mostly because the in-state tuition is so incredibly cheap, especially for a school with the reputation Iowa has. I also love Iowa City and enjoyed my visit to the law school, but it was definitely mostly a finacial thing.

[mikeytwoshoes]

Anyone else going to the ASG in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis, MN:

July 29th, 5-7pm, Faegre & Benson, 2200 Wells Fargo Center, 90 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis

RSVP to: law-alum-info@uiowa.edu by July 22nd