Class of 21 Drake Wood: Diving Into Legal Advocacy

Diving Into Legal Advocacy

Drake Wood is well on his way to earning his law degree in 2027. The former Simpson national debate champion and Culver Fellow is already more than comfortable on the big stage of U.S. politics and legal advocacy.

Wood is particularly proud that the first piece of legislation he worked on as a staff assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives was signed into law, the Water Resources Development Act of 2022. He also enjoyed his role in assisting former Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation Bob Johnson complete his memoir, “Sharing the Waters.”

Currently, as a senior legislative assistant at Water Strategies, Wood helps represent various municipal, industrial and agricultural water users concerning federal matters.

“Water conservation is a huge emphasis in the industry I work in,” said Wood. “I help leverage federal funds to assist local communities in protecting and improving their critical water and wastewater infrastructure.”

Wood says he is eager to complete his education and begin his career in water and natural resource law full time. And he says he’s very grateful to Simpson for preparing him to excel in all of his pursuits.

“I have very fond memories of working closely with my professors and feeling their confidence and belief in me. They challenged me to be better and to pursue my passions. Additionally, my involvement in various activities and groups, including ATO, supplanted my classroom education with lessons in life.”