Drake University's Wrongful Convictions Clinic, which provides legal services to individuals who believe they were wrongfully convicted, is uncertain following the sudden firing of its director, Erica Nichols Cook, who improperly took a $154,000 check from a former client she helped exonerate. The clinic, which operated in partnership with the state Public Defender's Office, had to find new internships this semester, leaving clients with less help. Students such as Kaille Simmons who were eager to learn about post-conviction work, meet clients, and earn hours needed for their law degrees, were forced to drop their cases and move to a different course offering. Drake University plans to resume operations next semester.