A father and son will graduate together tonight from Drake University’s Law School. Larry James Senior, of Des Moines, says his son surprised him by applying to the law school at the same time. The elder James found out one day when he was in the admissions office when he got a call from his son.James Senior says he and his son have enjoyed going to class together but he soon learned, they weren’t the best study partners. He says he gets up early and goes to bed early, while his son stays up late and studies.James Senior, who’s 54, spent three decades in mortgage banking and intends to start a non-profit public interest law firm upon passing the bar. Larry James Junior is 29 and had been a marketing director for a coffee roaster company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before deciding to go to law school. The younger James says it was rather strange going to class with his dad, but more weird for other students in the class.Once he passes the bar, James Junior intends to take a position at the Legal Aid Society of Polk County. He’s not ruling out joining his dad’s firm, someday. He says they each have to do their own thing for awhile before they team up.At tonight’s graduation, the elder Larry James will walk across the stage to collect his diploma first — because his middle name comes first alphabetically.
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