Professor Danielle Shelton has over 30 years of legal experience and brings that expertise to her primary focus—teaching first-year legal writing. She emphasizes the power of clear, precise writing as the foundation of effective lawyering. In her classes, students develop essential analytical and communication skills that prepare them for clerkships, internships, the bar exam, and long-term success in practice.
Beyond the classroom, Professor Shelton is deeply committed to service. She has advised multiple student organizations, chaired key law school committees, and led reform initiatives. She also contributes significant pro bono work. Her scholarship centers on improving legal procedures to build a more efficient and accessible justice system.
Bar Admissions: Iowa, Illinois, Southern District and Northern District of Iowa, Eighth and Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, United States Supreme Court
Recipient, Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award (2024)
Recipient, Nellie Ball Research Fund Grant (2020-2023)
Speaking at regional and national legal writing conferences, including the Legal Writing Institute National Conference; ALWD National Conference; Rocky Mountain Legal Writing Institute Conference; Central State Legal Writing Institute Conference, and Regional One-Day Workshops.
Former Member of Iowa Supreme Court Task Force for Civil Justice Reform, Subcommittee on Specialty Courts and Rules (established pilot project for Iowa’s Business Specialty Court) and Iowa Supreme Court's Continuing Legal Education Commission
