Melvin O. Shaw, president of the Iowa Bar Association, said on Mar. 31 that more outreach is needed to encourage young people and career changers in Iowa to consider law school. Shaw highlighted concerns about the state’s aging attorney population and the importance of inspiring a new generation of lawyers.
Shaw said only about 330 Iowans apply to any law school in the country each year, which is not enough to replace attorneys expected to retire over the next decade. “We must encourage young people and others who want a career change to consider attending law school,” Shaw said.
Reflecting on his own path into law, Shaw described how mentorship and exposure played a role in his decision as a high school student. He credited job-shadowing opportunities and supportive mentors for helping him see himself as an attorney. “Right then, I decided to become an attorney,” he said after recounting an influential internship experience with Lewis Hendricks at his Rockwell City law firm.
Shaw stressed that many students do not personally know attorneys or have realistic views of legal careers beyond what they see on television. He encouraged simple conversations with students about legal work outside courtrooms and noted that experiential learning programs like mock trial or debate clubs can develop critical skills used by lawyers.
He also pointed out that high school internships, job-shadowing experiences, mentorship for undergraduates, and intentional outreach toward rural or underrepresented communities are vital steps in broadening access to legal careers across Iowa. Technology such as virtual classroom visits can further expand these efforts when travel is difficult.
The article concluded by highlighting ongoing initiatives like the Iowa Supreme Court’s “Court on the Road” program, which brings court proceedings and classroom visits directly into communities several times a year—a move Shaw called an important way of connecting with students.
