Des Moines, August 25, 2014– The Iowa Supreme Court will hold a public hearing Wednesday, August 27, 2014, on the fourth floor of the Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
The supreme court will hear public input on a recommendation proposed by The Iowa State Bar Association's Blue Ribbon Committee on Legal Education and Licensure (ISBA) to amend the Iowa Court Rules. The ISBA recommends that Iowa adopt a "diploma privilege" to admit graduates of Drake University Law School and the University of Iowa College of Law to the practice of law in Iowa absent the required taking and successful completion of the current Iowa Bar Examination. An additional recommendation is for Iowa to adopt the Uniform Bar Examination for bar applicants who would not qualify for the diploma privilege.
The daylong schedule consists of oral presentations from individuals expressing different viewpoints on the proposed rule. The comments begin at 9:00 a.m. There will be breaks at 10:50, 12:20, and 2:30. The public hearing will be streamed live over the Internet. A link to the stream will be on the Iowa Judicial Branch website home page ( www.iowacourts.gov ).
Copies of the ISBA recommendations on diploma privilege, the staff report on diploma privilege, written public comments, the order requesting public comment, the order setting the schedule for the public hearing and the order adding speakers to the public hearing are available at: http://www.iowacourts.gov/For_Attorneys/Bar_Information__Admissions/Diploma_Privilege_Public_Comment/
The court will allow cameras and audio recording equipment in the courtroom subject to available space. If you wish to be present for the public hearing and have camera and recording equipment to install, or for questions about equipment set-up, please contact Steve Davis before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2014. The media room will also be open for use by the media.
# # #
