Lane & Waterman is excited to welcome three Summer Associates to the firm this year: Danny Bush, Sam Cropper, and Stacey Murray.

The firm’s Summer Associate program gives law students hands on legal experience after their second year of law school. Summer Associates assist with current client matters, including drafting briefs and transactional documents, participating in depositions, arbitration, and mediation sessions; attending client meetings; and observing courtroom practice.

We sat down to chat with each of them to learn more about their interests inside (and outside) the field of law.

1. What has been the most interesting thing you have studied in law school?
2. Why have you chosen to study law?
3. Where can we find you when you’re not at Lane & Waterman this summer?

Danny Bush

Danny Bush is a graduate of The University of Washington with a B.A. in Political Economics. He attends law school at The University of Iowa College of Law. His most recent experience includes: The University of Iowa, Henry B. Tippie College of Business – Graduate Teaching Assistant, Washington State Court of Appeals – Summer Clerkship, and The University of Washington, Social Policy & Identity Research Lab – Research Assistant.

He shared:

1. I took a class where we simulated a corporate boardroom for the entire 16 weeks. Each week we would rotate who got to serve as the Chairman and General Counsel. Then, we would have a post mortem where we would discuss legal problems and dilemmas that corporate boards face. It was fascinating!
2. Studying law has always been in the back of my mind. As I was finishing my undergraduate degree, I knew I wanted to continue my education. I floundered between several different career paths, but a longstanding interest in the law is what won in the end. I’m happy to report I’ve made the right choice.
3. When I’m not at Lane & Waterman, you can find me in the kitchen trying out recipes from one of many cookbooks I own. Beyond that, I love to spend time with my wife and two-year-old daughter. Even the most boring days are fun when I’m with them.

Sam Cropper

Sam Cropper is a graduate of The University of Utah with a B.A. in Political Science. He attends law school at The University of Iowa College of Law and The University of Iowa College of Public Health. His most recent experience includes: Iowa Legal Aid – Law Clerk, Office of Representative Steve Eliason – Legislative Aide, and Deseret Book Publishing Company – Corporate Receptionist

He shared:

1. I would say the most interesting thing I have studied has been health law. Specifically, the Medical Tutorial for Law Students class that is offered at the College of Law. Basically you just shadow doctors for a whole week and listen to people from the University of Iowa Hospital talk about Healthcare and health law. I also enjoyed my Corporate Law class as well as my non-profits class that I took.
2. I chose to study law because I wanted to be in a career where I can have a positive impact on the lives of multiple people. The law touches everyone and everything. On top of that, the law can be a complicated thing to understand. I went to law school so that I could be an asset to my community in helping others navigate our legal system.
3. I am a big amateur astronomer and love getting out my telescope on a warm summer night to look at the stars and planets. I like to bake, read books, and watch any new show on Netflix with my wife. My favorite spot in the quad cities is watching a River Bandits game from Modern Woodmen Park. That, or any Whitey’s Ice Cream location.

Stacey Murray

Stacey Murray is a graduate of The University of Iowa with a B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication. She attends law school at The University of Iowa College of Law. Her most recent experience includes: United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Iowa – Summer Clerk, Melwood Global – Account Executive, and The Daily Iowa – Editor-in-Chief.

She shared:

1. Corporate and white collar crime have been the most interesting things I’ve studied so far.
2. I chose to study law because whether I was working at a newspaper or in international development, I was most interested in the related legal issues.
3. When I’m not at Lane & Waterman this summer, I will be either kayaking or reading a good thriller.