Memorial

Patricia Nassif Acton was born on June 7, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was the daughter of M. Morey and Barbara (Lindsey) Nassif, interior designers who owned Nassif’s Interiors. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Patricia graduated from Washington High School in 1968, then earned a Bachelor in history with highest distinction at the University of Iowa in 1971. She then attended the University of Iowa Law School, earning a Juris Doctor with high distinction in1974. Member American Bar Association, Iowa Bar Association, Order of Coif, Phi Beta Kappa.

Patricia was one of the first female attorneys in Iowa, practicing at the law firm Simmons, Perrine, Albright & Ellwood, Cedar Rapids from 1974-1978. She then went into private practice in Cedar Rapids from 1978-1980, specializing in adoption law. She was a visiting Bigelow teaching fellow and lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School from 1980-1981. She was a Visiting professor of law at the University of Florida College of Law in 1985.

She became a visiting associate professor at the University of Iowa College of Law from 1981-1984, a clinical associate professor from 1984-1985 and a clinical professor from 1985 until 2008, teaching Clinical Law, Commercial Transactions, Trusts and Estates, Arts and Entertainment Law, and the Legal History of Iowa.

While visiting England in 1987, Patricia met the Honorable Richard Gerald Lyon-Dalberg-Acton. They married in 1988. Richard became a British Lord in 1989 and served in the House of Lords until his death in 2010. He and Patricia (Lady Acton) divided their time between Cedar Rapids and London, where Patricia became the Director of the London Law Consortium from 1994 until 2008, overseeing seven American law schools in a study-abroad program.

Patricia authored many books and articles, including Invasion of Privacy: The Cross Creek Trial of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, To Go Free: A Treasury of Iowa’s Legal Heritage (co-authored with her husband, Richard, Lord Acton), and co-authored the multi-volume law school textbook, Entertainment Law.

Patricia enjoyed a fairytale life – traveling between continents, attending the opening of Parliament, meeting the Queen of England and Prince Charles, and sitting in the Peeresses’ box in the House of Lords. 

She was a lifelong member of the Christian Science Church, living a life of integrity and honor devoted to her faith, her clients, and her students.

She is survived by her brother, Robert Lindsey Nassif and her stepson, Johnny Acton

We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to Deb, Teresa, and all the many caregivers who helped her along the way.  A memorial celebration will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made to the University of Iowa College of Law.