The trial date has been set in a discrimination case involving the former dean of the University of Iowa law school.

Lawyer Teresa Wagner said former Dean Carolyn Jones did not hire her when she applied during the 2006-07 academic year to be an instructor at the school because of her political beliefs. She filed a lawsuit in 2009 claiming discrimination in violation of her First Amendment rights.

A U.S. District judge dismissed the case with prejudice in March 2010. A U.S. Court of Appeals then heard the case after Wagner appealed the district court’s ruling in July 2010.

The appeals court said the lower court erred in finding that Jones was protected.

The final pretrial conference will be held on Oct. 1, 2012. A jury trial will begin on Oct. 15 at the U.S. Courthouse in Davenport; it is expected to take no more than five days, according to court documents.

— by Beth Bratsos