Law school is notoriously tough. It’s a new environment, new people, new vocabulary, new opportunities, and so many new things to learn and read and write. Now imagine your husband or wife being there and going through every step of the way with you. Sounds a lot less overwhelming, doesn’t it? Almost like a movie Hallmark would produce. Well, for Hannah and Marcus Weymiller it’s not a Hallmark movie, it’s real life and their partnership has provided essential support during their time at Iowa Law.
Hannah and Marcus met at the end of their college careers at the University of Northern Iowa. Both were student-athletes at Northern Iowa, Hannah playing center-mid and being a team captain for the soccer team and Marcus being a running back and team captain for the football team. This provided them with the opportunity to attend UNI’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which Marcus stated is the “group that really cemented [their] relationship.” “We became good friends right away because we were in very similar situations with sports, school, church, and a desire to go to law school. Our priorities lined up, and that made time management and decision-making much easier,” added Hannah.
With a love for reading and writing, Marcus decided on going to law school his junior year of college. His interest first sparked after one of his political science professors, who happened to also be the pre-law advisor, recommended he look into law school. Hannah’s interest in law peaked in a similar way. During high school she was told that she should consider law school and after interning for two law firms her desire to practice law was solidified.
Both of them knew they wanted to go to law school before they met, and recognizing that practicing law was a mutual goal helped them become friends early on. “We studied for the LSAT together and worked through the application process not knowing where either of us would end up. We didn’t necessarily plan to go to the same law school, but Iowa Law turned out to be the best fit for us both,” stated Hannah.
The decision to come to Iowa was bolstered by the fact that they each received scholarship support. Being student-athletes at UNI didn’t just a play role in connecting them to each other, it also connects them to their scholarship donors. Hannah receives support from the Jeffrey A. Scudder Law Student Award Fund, established by a member of the Class of 2006 and past president of the Student Body at UNI. Marcus receives scholarship support from the William L. Smith and Gwenn Smith Law Scholarship Fund, established by a member of the Class of 1971 along with his wife. During his years at Iowa, Bill lettered in football for 3 years and in track for 1 year.
The Weymiller’s agree that one of the best parts of going to law school together is not only having the ability to understand what the other person is going through, but also being able to motivate and push each other along the way. As hard as it is to not be completely consumed by law school, they know how important it is to remember that there is a life beyond their legal careers. “Law school can be stressful, so extending grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love is really important to us,” stated Hannah. “It can be very easy to let law school dominate your life. Our faith and family do great jobs of keeping us grounded to things that matter most,” added Marcus.
It is important to Marcus and Hannah to stay involved at the law school, and they are currently members of various organizations. Hannah is a Note and Comment Editor for the Iowa Law Review, a student representative for the Iowa Law School Foundation, a Dean’s fellow, and was co-president of the Iowa Student Bar Association from 2020–21. Marcus is an Articles and Symposium Editor for the Iowa Law Review, a student representative for the Learning Outcomes and Curricular Innovation Faculty Committee, and a student ambassador for Iowa Law Admissions. Marcus and Hannah also lead Iowa Law’s Christian Legal Society together.
Considering every moment they’ve had from the years they’ve been together, Hannah and Marcus both see their wedding day as their favorite one. “It was such a joyous day filled with our family and friends. While we love law school, moments like that are a good reminder of the incredible blessings beyond a degree, GPA, or career goal,” stated Hannah. “That day is when we finally started our life together as one."
As law school comes to an end for them both, Hannah and Marcus have plans to serve as judicial clerks in St. Paul, Minnesota from 2022–23. Marcus will be clerking for Justice G. Barry Anderson at the Minnesota Supreme Court, and Hannah will be clerking for Judge Eric C. Tostrud at the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The following year they plan to be in Des Moines, Iowa, where Marcus would like to practice litigation as Hannah clerks for Judge Steven M. Colloton at the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Whether you come to law school not knowing a soul or come with friends, spouses or partners, it’s important to lean on the support of others during these years, remember to stay grounded and enjoy the life you have beyond the law school walls.