Written by: Blake Etringer
When Jared Presley reflects on the path that brought him from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Iowa City, Iowa, he sees a journey shaped by family, resilience, and a commitment to “being there” for others.
Presley, a current 2L, grew up in a family dynamic that continues to influence him deeply. His parents divorced when he was in second grade, but they intentionally maintained a close relationship for the sake of Presley and his older sister. Holidays were shared as a family, milestones were celebrated together, and someone was always there to support him—a theme that has shaped the way he builds relationships today.
That same instinct to “show up” for people has guided his path at Iowa Law, where close connections with faculty and mentors have become central to his experience. It’s also reflected in the time he invests in his peers and his support for fellow first-generation 1Ls.
“That theme of showing up for others shaped everything about me,” Presley said. “It’s why I try to always be there for the people in my life—friends, family, anyone. And it’s why kindness had become such a big part of who I am.”
Finding a calling in commercial litigation
Becoming an attorney was not always part of Presley’s plan, as he assumed that being a lawyer meant big crime cases and dramatic TV trials. But a first-year legal environment of business course as a finance major at the University of Arkansas changed his outlook.
“This course opened my eyes to the intersection of business and the law, and I found it all really appealing,” he said.
Joining his school’s mock trial team during his third year confirmed his love of the courtroom as well.
“Opening statements, cross-examinations, and acting like a real attorney showed me that this was where I wanted to be,” he added.
Presley now plans to pursue commercial litigation, with an added interest in bankruptcy law for its blend of transactional and litigation work.
The path to Iowa Law
Presley admits that Iowa Law wasn’t originally on his radar, as he pictured himself studying at schools closer to home or in the Washington, D.C. area. But after a visit to the University of Iowa campus to defend his mock trial team’s trophy at the annual Cornshucker Challenge, he decided to take a chance and submit an application, realizing Iowa Law was highly ranked and had a high job placement rate.
The real convincing factor, though, came shortly after Presley completed his scholarship interview. He received an email from former Dean of Admissions Collins Byrd.
“When I opened it, it said full tuition. I was at work, and my coworkers and I were freaking out and jumping around in a big circle,” he explained.
Moving far from home was still a tough decision to make, but after reaching out to several current Iowa Law students and learning more about the school’s communal culture, he realized that this was the place for him.
“Being here has opened so many doors to me in the last year that I could not have imagined. I ultimately hope to end up in the Chicago area, and this school is the right school to do it in,” Presley added.
Building community, supporting peers, and contributing to scholarship
Presley now serves as vice president of the University of Iowa Black Law Students Association, writes for the Journal of Corporation Law, and participates in the Business Corporate Law Society. He also strives to support his fellow first-generation 1Ls, remembering his own learning curve.
His role as a legal research assistant for Associate Dean Adrien Wing has been particularly meaningful. Wing, who supports more research assistants than any other faculty member, recognized Presley’s strong work ethic and potential early.
“I enjoyed having Jared in my class last year. Based on his performance, I hired him as a research assistant for this year,” Dean Wing shared. “He has bright promise, and I know he will be a fabulous Iowa Law alum in the future.”
This fall, Wing connected Presley with Visiting Professor Peter Alexander. Presley contributed to Alexander’s new bankruptcy article, which was recently accepted for publication in Iowa Law’s Journal of Gender, Race & Justice.
“Seeing my name on an article is extraordinary,” Presley said. “Working with Professor Alexander is one of the biggest highlights of my law school career, and I have to thank Dean Wing for putting me in that position in the first place.”
Connecting with faculty
Presley praises the accessibility of the Iowa Law faculty, including his property professor, James Toomey. Presley visited Toomey’s office frequently—mostly for course-related questions, but sometimes just to talk.
“I was in [Toomey’s] office just about every day. I would peer around the corner of his doorframe, and he would just drop what he was doing and lean back, and we’d just talk,” Presley said. “Having that much open access to a professor has been incredibly helpful, and it’s probably rare at other schools.”
Toomey also speaks highly of Presley.
“Jared’s intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for understanding how legal doctrines fit together—not to mention his kindness and humor—have made him a pleasure to teach and an asset to the Iowa Law community. We’re lucky to have him,” Toomey said.
Looking ahead to 3L
Presley’s first year came with its challenges, particularly adapting to law school’s unique writing and exam expectations.
“In undergrad, I was head writing tutor in the business college,” he explained. “But law school writing is a completely different world. I learned the importance of getting critical feedback on your writing, and with Iowa Law being ‘The Writing Law School,’ there’s really no better place to learn this skill.”
Though just a 2L with plenty more yet to learn, Presley sees a future of practicing commercial litigation in Chicago. But, as he said: “I’m open to where life takes me.”
As for advice for future Iowa Law students, Presley reemphasized the mantra that his parents instilled within him.
“Work hard, don’t cheat yourself, and always be there for and be kind to others—those things will take you far. They’ve taken me far.”