Iowa Law grad pens a letter of gratitude for those who helped him along the way

Latest Iowa Legislation graduate Jake Bergman (22JD) shares his expertise managing legislation faculty throughout a world pandemic and his gratitude for the professor and mentors who helped him alongside the best way. Jake is at present in Minneapolis working as a SALT Guide at Wipfli and incomes an Government LLM in Taxation at New York College.

TLDR: Thanks for making my authorized training at Iowa Legislation such a implausible chapter of my life. 

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Just lately, my time as a scholar at Iowa Legislation has concluded. It was an odd three years. I discovered lots about myself and, in fact, a bit of concerning the legislation. 

I got here to Iowa Legislation with out many expectations of changing into a lawyer however with excessive expectations of myself. In some areas, I fell brief. In others, I massively exceeded my expectations. I had numerous assist alongside the best way. 

It began with Iowa Legislation’s week-long orientation, Introduction to Legislation and Authorized Reasoning. Over the course of the week, I used to be reassured that I had picked the suitable faculty. Life is a fickle factor, and in the end it’s about individuals, the relationships you construct with them, and the way you deal with people. For me, it was the individuals at Iowa. All the bright-eyed, considerate college students I started forming relationships with this primary week and the glimpse on the caringness of the employees and college at this prestigious college. 

I used to be additionally fortunate sufficient to be in Dean Washburn’s part for the orientation course. The totality of the orientation was enjoyable, gratifying, and a deep, but shallow, dive into the huge unknown of the legislation. I used to be genuinely excited to be right here. After ending up my first “legislation faculty examination” on the finish of the week, I acquired a rating and suggestions from Dean Washburn. His sort phrases and confidence in my success at Iowa Legislation had been invigorating and guaranteed me that I used to be on the suitable path. 

Then, the actual enjoyable started, the primary semester of 1L yr. I had Property with the sensible Thomas P. Gallanis. A category the place the fabric didn’t excite me a lot however the presence of such a caring, compassionate, and devoted professor made me ecstatically nervous every day. I struggled with the fabric and confirmed as much as my first-class, having learn the unsuitable materials; nonetheless, I used to be thrilled to affix the standing ovation Professor Gallanis acquired on the finish of the semester. 

I additionally was blessed to have Contracts with Professor Estin, Torts with Professor Bohannan, and Authorized Evaluation Writing and Analysis with Professor Liebig. Professor Estin was a grasp of the Socratic Technique, and contracts shortly grew to become my favourite course of the semester. It was like studying a drama every day, and it was usually tougher to place the e-book down than to choose it again up. For Professor Estin, I’m extremely grateful. 

Professor Bohannan stays the one professor I nonetheless take into consideration the chilly name from my 1L yr. Professor Bohannan offered essentially the most foundational teachings of the legislation by means of her Torts course. She was a form and caring particular person and the primary professor I visited throughout workplace hours, the place my lack of workplace hour attendance will endure as one in every of my few regrets from Iowa Legislation. 

Professor Liebig was the closest professor 1L yr that I might have thought of a pal. He prompted common interactions together with his college students, informed significant, hilarious tales throughout class and workplace hours, listened to the tales of his college students studying about them past the partitions of the legislation faculty, and offered sensible and significant recommendation to my classmates and me. 

I distinctly bear in mind receiving my first actual legislation faculty grade from Professor Liebig on our mid-semester memo, the place I checked my grade that night time of our 1L yr Halloween Occasion. I used to be extraordinarily upset in my efficiency, not due to the grade however due to its indication of the efforts I had been placing into legislation faculty to date. I used to be upset in myself. 

I got here considerably extra ready for the ultimate assembly earlier than my final memo of the semester was due. Listening to Professor Liebig’s refined reward about my efforts and the eventual corresponding grade meant the world. Professor Liebig taught me to present an trustworthy effort and deal with my authorized training and deal with it greater than solely having enjoyable. For him, I’m grateful. 

Nevertheless, as a lot as my professors meant to me throughout the first semester of my 1L yr, the spotlight was assembly my girlfriend, Anne Parrish. Iowa Legislation put us in the identical part, and the friendships we each kindled from this part lasts to today. Anne and I began relationship the night time of our Torts examination, and I’m so grateful to have discovered somebody to help me and for me to help as we went by means of legislation faculty, a pandemic, racial unrest, and life collectively. 

The second semester of 1L yr is the place legislation faculty and the world grew to become tragically fascinating. Once more, I had excellent professors. I had Professor Stella Burch Elias, undoubtedly essentially the most extraordinary Civil Process professor in the US, Professor Sarah Search engine optimization for Prison Legislation, my favourite course of the semester and some of the caring people I’ve ever met, and Professor Toddy Pettys for Constitutional Legislation I, who instructions my utmost respect. I additionally had Professor Daybreak Barker Anderson, the sweetest individual at Iowa Legislation, and Professor Marc Linder for Labor Legislation, who stays almost indescribable and has unparalleled dedication to his craft. I additionally took a week-long Might intersession Zoom course with Dean Hughes and Peter Persaud on Subjects in Prison Legislation Observe after the world can be turned on its head. 

The second semester of 1L yr was reduce brief, and my time at Iowa Legislation dramatically shifted in response to the worldwide disaster pandemic of COVID-19. Lessons went to Move/Fail, studying suffered, well being suffered, and folks misplaced so many family members. My household was comparatively unaffected by COVID-19, however my grandmother, Sandy Bergman, handed away after years of preventing a number of types of most cancers throughout these unprecedented days, which reduce brief the time my household was in a position to spend along with her attributable to social distancing constraints. All through these troublesome instances, the consistency, the power, and the unwavering perspective of my professors at Iowa Legislation introduced solace into my life. Whereas my legislation faculty expertise was not every little thing I had hoped it will be because of the terrors this world can deliver upon humanity, the individuals at Iowa Legislation helped preserve me afloat. 

With the haphazard response within the job market to COVID-19, I struggled to search out employment for my 1L summer time. By means of the loving help of my mom and the connections she had made within the small city of Clarinda, Iowa, I might ultimately turn into related with Decide Richard H. Davidson of Iowa’s 4^th District. Decide Davidson supplied me direct perception into the courtroom as a authorized extern and gave me the absolute best expertise given the world’s circumstances. He offered profound life recommendation, and his influence on how I wish to reside far exceeded any authorized coaching he may have supplied. He’s a task mannequin, a mentor, and a scholar of life. I’m grateful for all of his steering and knowledge. 

Going into my 2L yr at Iowa Legislation, the world was nonetheless in disarray. The political, racial, cultural, judicial, and COVID local weather and the precise local weather had been all dealing with deep crises of religion. Faculty was primarily distant, with some courses opting into each different week in-person fashions. The primary semester, I had Well being Legislation with Professor Prince, Proof with Professor Tomkovicz, Nonprofit Orgs with Professor Thelen, a form soul who offered sensible recommendation on being an legal professional, and Public Well being Legislation with Professor Linder. 

Professor Prince was a implausible professor. Taking her course, coupled with Professor Linder’s Public Well being Legislation, throughout a world pandemic was an unmatched expertise. Professor Prince dealt with the huge complexity of healthcare, depicted the difficulties of our present system, and offered steering on easy methods to form the way forward for one in every of America’s largest industries. 

Professor Tomkovicz was in his final semester at Iowa Legislation after I took his Proof course. The power introduced by Professor Tomkovicz to some of the difficult instances whereas educating some of the troublesome topics was inspiring. I’m grateful to have spent a semester studying from him. 

I additionally took Appellate Advocacy I this semester, the place I discovered that I do get pleasure from public talking however being in a courtroom will not be for me. The method was warped because of the irregularities of Zoom and adapting to working with a digital accomplice. Litigation was not in my future, and I used to be completely okay with that. I’m glad I gave it a shot. 

Probably the most impactful a part of my 2L yr was as a student-writer for the Journal of Gender, Race & Justice. I totally loved journal and being across the impactful scholarship. Journal confirmed me how a lot room there was for me to develop as a authorized author and opened the door to new relationships, obligations, and time commitments I had beforehand by no means skilled. Going into 3L yr, I might turn into the inaugural On-line Editor for the Journal of Gender, Race & Justice and cherished my expertise as a member of the Board. 

Throughout the second semester of my 2L yr, I moved again in with my mother and father now that every one of my courses had been distant. I had Enterprise Associations with Professor Shill, Iowa Debt Assortment Legislation, and Iowa Actual Property Finance Legislation with Professor Bauer, and Introduction to Mental Property with Professor Rantanen to study a bit of about what Anne was finding out in all the superior Mental Property programs. Whereas she dove into the depths of Patent Legislation, Copyright Legislation, and Emblems, I took a extra shallow strategy within the introductory course. I cherished my expertise and the educating model and charisma of Professor Rantanen. 

I additionally took Reproductive Legislation and Justice with Professor Estin offering the chance to jot down a paper and expertise a brand new educating model with Professor Estin in a sophisticated course extra in-line along with her specialty of Household Legislation. I had an excellent expertise and discovered easy methods to reside higher in a shifting society from her and my classmates in such a significant course. 

Lastly, I took Primary Federal Revenue Taxation with Professor Carolyn Jones. Professor Jones ignited a ardour for a topic space throughout the legislation that I had but to expertise. Professor Jones paved the best way for a future for me within the authorized occupation. 

By means of her graciousness, she would write one in every of my letters of advice, together with Professor Lorie Schweer, a fellow Northern Iowa graduate, which might in the end land me within the nation’s prime Tax LLM program at New York College. I can not say sufficient sort phrases for Professor Jones, and her steering has charted a pathway in my life that I may have by no means anticipated. I’m elated to proceed with my authorized training and this exceptional journey. 

Wrapping up with my 3L yr, we had been lastly again in individual, masked up and experiencing the fun of an instructional neighborhood. The primary semester, I used to be enrolled in Professor Accountability with a distant professor, Bram Elias, who aided in my passing of the MPRE and supplied hilarious tales and observe steering on being legal professional. I additionally continued my taxation training with State and Native Taxation (SALT) with Professor Kay-Decker and Accounting/Tax/Enterprise Concerns for Attorneys with Professor Schweer. Professor Schweer pulled out my ardour for taxation and tax coverage and guided me all through the applying course of for my LLMs. I can not thank her sufficient for her dedication throughout my 3L yr. 

I used to be additionally lucky sufficient to take Baseball Wage Arbitration with Professor Dan Matheson. Dan is without doubt one of the kindest males I’ve ever met, and it was a real privilege taking such a enjoyable and interesting course with him. He’s a devoted mentor that actually needs the perfect for all of his college students. You can not stroll away from a gathering with Dan and never really feel higher concerning the world. 

I additionally took one other Professor Pettys course, this time in-person and never move/fail, in Constitutional Legislation II. Professor Pettys is an inspiration. He’s a caring professor who has the utmost need for his college students to study. He tackled advanced topics and introduced the Structure to life. It was a real pleasure to take this course with him. 

I once more struggled to search out work going into my second summer time. Luckily, profession providers and Dean Crain launched me to a authorized internship at HomeServices of Iowa. Whereas at HomeServices, I labored underneath the devoted steering of Shannon Gausman, who graduated from Kansas Legislation. Shannon offered me one-on-one perception into working as an in-house counsel and helped me develop leaps and bounds as an worker. She was a superb mentor, and it was a pleasure studying from her. I’m grateful she took an opportunity on me as her authorized intern and am grateful for her presence in my life. 

Going into my final semester at Iowa Legislation, I’ll have bit off a bit greater than I may chew. Whereas trying to find a job, ending my purposes for LLMs, and taking a full schedule whereas balancing the calls for of the journal board, I spent extra time centered on faculty than I ever have earlier than. All of it paid off. My plate is clear. I’m completely stuffed and wish a protracted nap, however I joined the clear plate membership and graduated with my highest semester GPA. 

I used to be in a position to take one other class with Dan, Sports activities Legislation, an absolute blast of a category through which it was completely evident as to the rationale we had so many admitted and potential college students sitting in all through the semester. I took Environmental Legislation with Professor Roesler, the place I discovered concerning the risks of local weather change, the devastating future we might endure, and the optimism required to maneuver ahead. I additionally took Company Finance, the legislation of the sharks, with Professor Robert Miller, a distinguished lecturer with a bountiful providing of sensible life recommendation. 

I additionally was lucky to take one other prison class within the type of Prison Process: Investigation with Professor Dean Strang. There are only a few programs I’ve discovered extra engagement with a professor and with the fabric. There’s little I can say about Professor Strang apart from to thank him for being an incredible individual, lawyer, and professor. 

Lastly, I concluded my taxation training at Iowa Legislation with Professor Grewal in essentially the most demanding course I’ve ever taken, Taxation of Partnerships. Professor Grewal is a exceptional professor who cares about his college students. On day one, he knew my identify earlier than I had ever taken a category with him. I assumed I might be protected on day one from his fame of calling on each scholar in each class attributable to him not figuring out who I used to be, however alas, he took the time to get to know me and everybody else and ensured we discovered the complexities of partnership tax. It was a real pleasure to take such a troublesome last the morning of commencement, however I managed, and it made for one memorable expertise. 

One more reason for a way memorable commencement can be was Anne’s speech as our elected scholar graduation speaker. Anne delivered a stellar speech providing perception into the privilege of a legislation diploma from Iowa, reminding us all the significance of luck and the luck required to take a seat at this commencement, and the significance of household, humility, and giving again to your neighborhood. Her speech begins across the 19-minute mark; if you wish to watch it: https://youtu.be/3Y3dhbUO6Vg. 

After commencement, I labored with NYU to transition from their full-time in-person program to their Government LLM so I may transfer to Minneapolis with Anne, take my programs on-line, and work full-time. Just lately, I accepted a job provide at Wipfli as a SALT Guide. I’m keen to start my profession working within the area of taxation whereas persevering with my training at NYU. Profession providers had been instrumental in serving to me land this place at Wipfli and a fellow Iowa Legislation alum, Daniel Kidney, a director at Wipfli, as nicely. 

Iowa Legislation offered lifelong relationships, and there are too many for me to place on this already too lengthy a letter deserving of my gratitude. To the family and friends that supported me, I give my thanks. I used to be launched to so many superb individuals during the last three years; I’m humbled, proud, grateful, privileged, and fortunate to have been part of all of it. 

The College of Northern Iowa and its Honors Division and Philosophy Division ready me nicely for Iowa Legislation. I do know that Iowa Legislation has ready me for my subsequent step in training at NYU and for starting my profession at Wipfli. I’m prepared for the subsequent steps and excited for my future. 

Sincerely, 

Jake Bergman