Des Moines (17-May-2010) - Drake University and Faegre & Benson are pleased to announce the firm is launching a Visiting Scholar Program in collaboration with Drake University's Agricultural Law Center. Faegre & Benson Attorney Jennifer Williams Zwagerman, a graduate of Drake University Law School, has been chosen as the first Visiting Scholar.

Zwagerman is uniquely qualified for this appointment given her practice in the arena of food, agriculture and agribusiness litigation, as well as holding a LL.M in Agricultural Law from the University of Arkansas School of Law. Zwagerman will continue as a member of the litigation practice at Faegre & Benson, but will be in residence at the law school for the 2010-2011 academic year. She will teach courses at Drake on subjects within her food and agribusiness practice area.

"We have a longstanding relationship with Drake and are delighted to partner with them in this exciting venture," says Kim Walker, leader of the firm's Food, Agriculture and Biofuels practice team, consisting of more than 100 lawyers. "Most importantly, we know that this experience will be of great benefit to our clients as it will further inform our lawyers on pertinent and complex issues within the food and agriculture industries."

"We are confident that this new part of our long-standing, productive relationship with Faegre & Benson will be extraordinarily valuable for both the law school and the firm," says Drake Law School Dean Allan Vestal. "Given the leadership of both parties in the fields of food, agriculture and sustainable energy, the combination is a natural one." Dean Vestal concludes, "We are delighted that Jennifer will be the initial Faegre & Benson Visiting Scholar and look forward to welcoming her back to Drake in this new role."

Founded in 1983, the Drake University Agricultural Law Center is internationally recognized for providing opportunities to study how the legal system shapes our food system and influences the ability of the agricultural sector to produce, market and utilize agricultural products. Students learn about legal issues related to the agribusiness industry including marketing and finance; biotechnology; international trade; tax planning; soil and water conservation; land use and environmental issues; food safety; and federal farm programs. The Center also hosts international law scholars to study food and agricultural law and policy in the United States.