By Manuel Cornell, YLD President
As my term as President of the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) comes to a close this June, I have found myself reflecting on what has been an incredibly meaningful and energizing year.
At the outset of my term, one of my primary goals was to reach law students who may have been questioning whether Iowa’s legal community was a place where they could truly belong—particularly students who come from diverse backgrounds or who may not have traditionally seen themselves reflected in the profession.
Over the past year, I am proud to say that we have made real progress toward that goal.
We have had the opportunity to connect directly with students at Drake University Law School, the University of Iowa College of Law, and Creighton University School of Law. Through visits, lunches, and informal conversations, we have worked to demystify the profession and create space for honest dialogue about what it means to build a legal career in Iowa. This has been especially meaningful thanks to the support and involvement of our bench, including having Chief Justice Christensen and Justice Oxley participate in bingo night at Creighton University School of Law.
We are also very excited about the strong partnership we have begun to build with the University of South Dakota School of Law, expanding our reach and reinforcing our commitment to engaging with future members of the profession beyond our immediate borders.
These interactions were intentional and personal. Whether it was playing bingo with students at Creighton, sharing meals with students at Drake and Iowa, or inviting questions about career paths in private practice, government, and in-house roles, our goal has been simple: to be accessible, be transparent, and provide supportive resources.
At the same time, our committees have done truly exceptional work advancing the mission of the Young Lawyers Division.
Our Mock Trial Committee achieved a significant milestone by helping bring the 2026 National High School Mock Trial Championship back to Iowa—the birthplace of the national tournament, first hosted in Des Moines in 1984. This accomplishment represents far more than a successful event. It showcased the importance of civic education, provided students from across the country with meaningful opportunities to develop advocacy, critical thinking, and leadership skills, and highlighted Iowa and Des Moines on a national stage. Hosting competitors, families, coaches, judges, and volunteers from across the nation also brought substantial energy and economic activity to our community while reinforcing Iowa’s longstanding commitment to the rule of law and public service. None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary dedication of our Mock Trial Co-Chairs, Aaron Jones, Olivia Books, and Ame Mapes, whose countless hours of planning and leadership made this event possible. I am equally grateful to the outstanding ISBA staff, especially Malycki Mañon-Sosa and Lisa Hanson, for their invaluable commitment, professionalism, and tireless work in ensuring the tournament was a success.
Our Philanthropy Committee continued its strong tradition of service and community engagement, including hosting a successful mini golf event in April that brought members together in a fun and impactful way.
The Engagement and Recruiting Committee has also been hard at work planning an upcoming event at the Polk County Courthouse, designed to connect judges, summer associates, and new young lawyers. This event—known as Reach Across the Bar—reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering relationships across all stages of the profession.
Our DEI Committee has made important strides through initiatives like the Cady Law Opportunity Program, working to create pathways and expand opportunities for law students as they begin their careers.
In addition, our district representatives have continued to build community across the state through local programming. The continued success of Legal Grounds in Des Moines, and its expansion into Eastern Iowa, is a testament to the value of consistent, informal opportunities for connection.
On a personal level, this year has been deeply rewarding. I have had the privilege of meeting and working alongside talented, thoughtful, and dedicated new and young lawyers and law students across Iowa and beyond. These connections are what make this organization so special.
I am especially grateful to my fellow officers, Aaron Jones and Peter Johnson, for their leadership, collaboration, and friendship. It has been an honor to serve alongside them. I am also excited to see Aaron step into the role of President in the coming year. I have every confidence that he, along with the incoming officers, will continue to move the YLD forward in meaningful and impactful ways. And, this organization would not function like a well-oiled machine without the spirit and dedication of the rest of the Executive Council--a group of warriors I'm extremely grateful for and whom I will truly miss.
Serving as an officer of the YLD has been a true privilege. While I will miss this role, I leave it with a deep sense of gratitude—for the relationships built, the work accomplished, and the opportunity to contribute to an organization that plays such an important role in our legal community.
I look forward to staying engaged with the YLD, The Iowa State Bar Association, and the broader Iowa legal community in the years ahead.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Manuel
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Manuel represents clients in complex commercial disputes involving foreign investments, commercial contracts, employment matters, and construction projects. His practice spans state and federal courts, as well as local and international arbitrations under leading institutions such as the LCIA, ICDR, ICC, ICSID, and AAA. He is fluent in English and Spanish and has successfully tried cases in both languages.
