The University of Iowa College of Law is pleased to announce that Lorraine Gaynor (11JD) will join its faculty as assistant professor of legal analysis, writing, and research. Gaynor will begin her appointment in August 2024. 

Befitting Iowa Law’s reputation as the “Writing Law School,” Gaynor will join a faculty core dedicated to developing excellence in legal writing built upon the foundational skills of analysis and research. Many schools employ teaching assistants and adjunct faculty to teach writing courses, while Iowa Law has six full professors of legal analysis, writing, and research. Students at Iowa Law begin rigorous writing courses during their first year. 

“Strong legal writing is critical to good lawyering and effective client advocacy,” said Gaynor. “I'm honored to join the Iowa Law community and to have the opportunity to support students as they learn and practice these crucial writing and analysis skills.” 

Gaynor, who graduated Order of the Coif from Iowa Law and served as president of the University of Iowa Campaign for Human Rights, is presently senior staff attorney for Iowa Legal Aid, a nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance and education to low-income and vulnerable Iowans.

Prior to her joining Iowa Legal Aid, Gaynor served from 2011-2013 in the U.S. Attorney General’s Honors Program as judicial law clerk and attorney adviser in the Executive Office for Immigration Review, a unit of the U.S. Department of Justice.