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Address
The Davis Brown Tower
215 10th Street, Suite 1300
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3993 (Polk Co.)
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(Main Office) Our law firm is committed to providing excellent advise, service and representation. We are based in Des Moines, the economic and political capital of the State of Iowa. The city also is a hub of local, regional, national, and international commerce in areas such as insurance, agriculture, bio-technology, finance, real estate, and technology. In 2007, we renewed our commitment to downtown Des Moines when we agreed to be the anchor tenant of the 13-story Davis Brown Tower, Des Moines's first new office building in seventeen years. We moved into our new space in May, 2008. We have more space for our growing firm that aids our continued investment in cutting-edge technology for our attorneys, staff and clients. Our West Des Moines office, opened in 2001, allows us to provide service from a convenient second location. Founded in 1929, Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C., provides comprehensive legal services to clients ranging from private individuals to Fortune 500 corporations. We offer legal services in a wide variety of areas, such as corporate transactions, litigation, real estate, immigration, employment, public and private finance, bio-technology, estate planning, taxation, patent and intellectual property, and government relations. Our firm is comprised of exceptional lawyers. We attract exceptional graduates from nationally ranked law schools. Our lawyers have demonstrated personal and academic excellence and the creativity, integrity, and motivation to become outstanding members of the firm and community. They demonstrate passion for their areas of practice and the clients they serve and have been recognized nationally by Martindale-Hubbell, Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, and Iowa Super Lawyers. For a full description visit the firm's web site at www.davisbrownlaw.com. Statement of PracticeAdministrative, Agricultural, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Appellate Practice, Bankruptcy, Banks and Banking, Biotechnology, Business Law, Civil, Class Actions, Commercial, Commercial Real Estate, Communications and Media, Complex and Multi-District Litigation, Computers and Software, Constitutional, Construction, Consumer, Contracts, Copyrights, Corporate, Debtor and Creditor, Education, Employee Benefits, Energy, Entertainment, Environmental, Equipment Finance and Leasing, Family, Finance, Franchises and Franchising, Government, Government Contracts, Guardianship and Conservatorship, Health Care, Hospital Law, Human and Civil Rights, Immigration and Naturalization, Insurance, Insurance Defense, Intellectual Property, International Law, International Trade, Labor and Employment, Leases and Leasing, Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Libel, Slander and Defamation, Litigation, Media Law, Medical Malpractice, Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures, Municipal Law, Natural Resources, Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations, Partnership, Patents, Personal Injury, Probate. Products Liability, Professional Liability, Property, Public Finance, Real Estate, Regulatory, Renewable Fuels, Securities, Taxation, Technology and Science, Telecommunications, Torts, Trade and Professional Associations, Trade Secrets, Trademarks, Transportation, Trusts and Estates, Utilities, Wills, Workers Compensation, Zoning, Planning and Land Use. Year Established: 1929
Firm Size: 76
Languages: Spanish and German.
Firm Affiliations LEX MUNDI The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements, certification, specialization or self-proclaimed expertise. A description or indication of limitation of practice does not mean that any agency or board has certified such lawyers as specialist or expert in an indicated field of law practice nor does it mean that such lawyer is necessarily any more expert or competent than any other lawyer. All potential clients are urged to make their own independent investigation and evaluation of any lawyer being considered. These disclosures are required by the Supreme Court of Iowa.
AddressThe Davis Brown Tower 215 10th Street, Suite 1300 Des Moines, IA 50309-3993, (Polk Co.)
PhonePhone: 515-288-2500 Cable: Davis Law Facsimile: 515-243-0654

Websitehttp://www.davisbrownlaw.com
Firm/Affiliate OfficesWest Des Moines, Iowa: The Highland Building, 4201 Westown Parkway, Suite 300, 50266. Telephone: 515-288-2500. Fax: 515-246-7997.
John D. Shors (Shareholder) born Fort Dodge, Iowa; admitted to bar, 1964, Iowa. Education: Iowa State University (B.S., Elec. Eng., 1959); University of Iowa (J.D., with high distinction, 1964). Order of the Coif. Listed in: The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate, Health Care and Commercial Litigation; Iowa Super Lawyers; and Chambers USA for Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions. Co-Author: "Closely Held Corporations in Business and Estate Planning," Little Brown and Company, 1983. Member, Board of Governors, 1984 and Chairman of Board, 1988-1991, Iowa State University Foundation. Member: Polk County (President, 1985-1986), Iowa State (President, 1992-1993) and American (Fellow; Member, House of Delegates, 1992-1993) Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Corporate Law; Health Care; Hospital Law; Mergers and Acquisitions; Technology and Science; Entertainment Law.Email: John D. Shors
Stephen W. Roberts (Shareholder) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1939; admitted to bar, 1964, Iowa. Education: Princeton University (B.A., 1961); University of Michigan (J.D., 1964). Listed in: Best Lawyers and Iowa Super Lawyers for Governmental Relations Law. Chairman, Iowa Republican Party, 1977-1981. Member: Republican National Committee, 1988; U.S. Department of Education Appeal Board, 1982-1986. Chair, Greater Des Moines Partnership Government Policy Council, 2005-2006. Practice Areas: Administrative Law; Antitrust and Trade Regulation; Business Law; Corporate Law; Government; State Legislative Practice; State Taxation; Gaming.Email: Stephen W. Roberts
William R. King (Shareholder) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1939; admitted to bar, 1966, Iowa; 1967, U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Iowa; 1977, U.S. Supreme Court; 1980, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; 1982, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit and U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois. Education: Iowa State University and University of Iowa (B.A., 1961); University of Iowa (J.D., 1966). Member: American Bar Association (Member, Forum Committee on the Construction Industry, 1977). Practice Areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution; Construction Law; Medical Malpractice; Negligence.Email: William R. King
Robert F. Holz, Jr. (Shareholder) born Dubuque, Iowa, 1942; admitted to bar, 1967, Iowa. Education: Loras College (B.A., 1964); University of Iowa (J.D., with distinction, 1967). Listed in The Best Lawyers in America in Telecommunications and Energy Law. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Chair, Administrative Law Section) and American Bar Associations; American Health Lawyers Association; Iowa Society of Healthcare Attorneys. Practice Areas: Administrative Law; Health Care; Utility Law; Telecommunications Law.Email: Robert F. Holz, Jr.
Robert A. Gamble (Shareholder) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1938; admitted to bar, 1962, Iowa. Education: State University of Iowa (B.A., 1960; LL.B., 1962). Phi Delta Phi. Member, Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission, 1990-1995; Listed in Best Lawyers and Iowa Super Lawyers for Financial Institutions. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Member, Sections on: Business Law; Commercial and Bankruptcy Law) and American (Member, Section on Business Law) Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Banks and Banking.Email: Robert A. Gamble
Michael G. Kulik (Shareholder) born Miami Beach, Florida, 1945; admitted to bar, 1970, Iowa. Education: University of Iowa (B.B.A., 1967; J.D., with distinction, 1970). Notes and Comments Editor, Iowa Law Review, 1969-1970. Co-author of the chapter on business formation in "How Business Gets Done: Words of Wisdom by Central Iowa Experts" (2009). Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American (Member, Sections on: Communications, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law; Corporation, Banking and Business Law) Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Business Law; Telecommunications Law; Contracts; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions; Probate; Trust, Estates and Wills.Email: Michael G. Kulik
Frank J. Carroll (Shareholder) born Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1947; admitted to bar, 1973, Iowa. Education: St. Louis University (B.S., cum laude, 1969); University of Illinois (J.D., 1973). Listed in: The Best Lawyers in America for Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions and Tax Law, Iowa Best Lawyers Corporate Lawyer of the Year 2009; Chambers USA for Corporate/Mergers and Acquisitions; Iowa Super Lawyers Business/Corporate. Certified Public Accountant, Illinois, 1970. Adjunct Professor: Planning of Corporate Transactions, Drake University College of Law, 1976-1986; Corporate Taxation, Drake University, College of Business, Masters of Tax Program, 1987-1993, Business Planning, Drake University College of Law, 2007. Member, IRS Commissioners Advisory Group, 1989. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (President-Elect, 2009) and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Business Law; Corporate Law; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures; Taxation.Email: Frank J. Carroll
Bruce I. Campbell (Shareholder) born Mason City, Iowa, 1947; admitted to bar, 1973, Iowa. Education: Upper Iowa University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1969); Harvard University (J.D., cum laude, 1973). Listed in: The Best Lawyers in America, Non-Profit/Charities Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates, 1983-2009; Iowa Super Lawyers, 2009; Chambers USA, Corporate/M&A, Iowa Ranked Band 3. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American (Member, Sections on: Taxation; Real Property, Probate and Trust Law) Bar Associations. Fellow: American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Practice Areas: Estate Gift Taxation; Estate Planning; Trust Law; Decedents Estates; Alternative Dispute Resolution.Email: Bruce I. Campbell
Jonathan C. Wilson (Shareholder) born Montezuma, Iowa, 1945; admitted to bar, 1971, Iowa. Education: Morningside College (B.A., cum laude, 1967); University of Iowa (J.D., with distinction, 1971). Order of the Coif. Member, Iowa Law Review, 1970-1971. Law Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1971-1972. Lecturer: Australian National University, Canberra, Australia, 1972-1974; Modern Real Estate Transactions, Drake University College of Law, 1975. Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law. Practice Areas: Civil Practice; Contracts; Government; Litigation; Real Estate; Transportation; Zoning, Planning and Land Use; Alternative Dispute Resolution.Email: Jonathan C. Wilson
Steven L. Nelson (Shareholder) born Baraboo, Wisconsin, 1952; admitted to bar, 1976, Iowa; 1978, U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa; 1979, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit; 1987, U.S. Tax Court; 1981, U.S. Supreme Court. Education: University of Iowa (B.B.A., 1973; J.D., 1976). Order of the Coif. Law Clerk to Hon. W.W. Reynoldson, Supreme Court of Iowa, 1976-1977. Practice Areas: Product Liability; Class Actions; Torts; Trade Secrets; Business Litigation.Email: Steven L. Nelson
David B. VanSickel (Shareholder) born Mason City, Iowa, 1953; admitted to bar, 1977, Iowa. Education: University of Northern Iowa (B.A., magna cum laude, 1974); University of Iowa (J.D., with honors, 1977). Listed in: Best Lawyers in America in Public Finance Law. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; National Association of Bond Lawyers. Practice Areas: Public Finance and Securities.Email: David B. VanSickel
Gene R. La Suer (Shareholder) born Newton, Iowa, 1953; admitted to bar, 1979, Iowa. Education: Iowa State University (B.S., 1976); University of Iowa (J.D., with honors, 1979). Listed in: Best Lawyers in America; Iowa Super Lawyers; and Chambers USA for Employment Law. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Member, Litigation and Labor and Employment Law Sections) and American (Member, Sections on: Litigation; Labor and Employment Law) Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Civil Rights; Labor and Employment; Personal Injury; Insurance Defense; Professional Liability.Email: Gene R. La Suer
Deborah M. Tharnish (Shareholder) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1955; admitted to bar, 1980, Iowa. Education: Iowa State University (B.A., 1977); University of Iowa (J.D., with high distinction, 1980). Phi Beta Kappa; Order of the Coif. Articles Editor, Iowa Law Review, 1979-1980. Listed in: Best Lawyers for Commercial Litigation; Iowa Super Lawyers; and Chambers USA for Employment Law and General Commercial Litigation. Board Member: Iowa Legal Aid; Des Moines Public Library Foundation; Iowa State University Alumni Association; Iowa Law School Foundation. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; Iowa Defense Counsel. Practice Areas: Antitrust and Trade Regulation; Labor and Employment; Litigation; Adoption.Email: Deborah M. Tharnish
Kent A. Herink (Shareholder) born Marshalltown, Iowa; admitted to bar, 1982, Iowa; registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Education: Coe College (B.A., magna cum laude, 1976); University of Iowa (M.S., Physics, 1979; J.D., with distinction, 1982). Phi Eta Sigma. Listed in: The Best Lawyers in America, Intellectual Property Law, 2009; Iowa Super Lawyers, 2009. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Member, Patent, Trademark and Copyright Section, 1990) and American (Member: Section of Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law; Biosciences Committee, 1984-2002) Bar Associations; Iowa Intellectual Property Law Association (President, 1992-1993). Practice Areas: Intellectual Property; Trademarks.Email: Kent A. Herink
Robert J. Douglas, Jr. (Shareholder) born Mason City, Iowa, 1957; admitted to bar, 1982, Iowa. Education: St. John's University (B.S., cum laude, 1979); University of Iowa (J.D., with distinction, 1982). Listed in: Chambers USA for Real Estate Law; Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Member, Banking/Financial Institutions Committee, 1993-1995) and American (Member: Banking Committee, 1990; Subcommittee on Community Bank Corporate Activities, 1990) Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Financial Institutions Law; Real Estate.Email: Robert J. Douglas, Jr.
Mark D. Walz (Shareholder) born St. Louis, Missouri, 1958; admitted to bar, 1983, Missouri; 1986, Iowa, U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa and U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit. Education: University of Iowa (B.A., 1980; J.D., with distinction, 1983). Listed in: Iowa Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America for Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights Law. Member: Polk County and Iowa State (Member, Section on Commercial and Bankruptcy Law) Bar Associations; The Missouri Bar; American Bankruptcy Institute. Practice Areas: Bankruptcy; Commercial Law.Email: Mark D. Walz
Gary M. Myers (Shareholder) born Storm Lake, Iowa, 1961; admitted to bar, 1986, Iowa. Education: Iowa State University (B.A., 1983); University of Iowa (J.D., with high distinction, 1986). Order of the Coif. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Environmental Law.Email: Gary M. Myers
Stanley J. Thompson (Shareholder) born Red Oak, Iowa, 1960; admitted to bar, 1985, Iowa. Education: Iowa State University (B.A., with distinction, 1982); George Washington University (J.D., with honors, 1985). Listed in: The Best Lawyers in America, Antitrust Litigation; Iowa Super Lawyers. Law Clerk to Allen L. Danielson, Iowa Court of Appeals, 1985-1986. Member, Board of Directors, 1999-2005 and Chair, 2003-2004, Iowa State University Alumni Association. Republican Nominee for Congress, Iowa District 3, 2002 and 2004. Practice Areas: Litigation; Antitrust and Trade Regulation.Email: Stanley J. Thompson
David M. Erickson (Shareholder) born Ames, Iowa, 1953; admitted to bar, 1979, Iowa. Education: Drake University (B.A., 1974; J.D., with honors, 1979). Order of the Coif. Member: Editorial Board and Honorary Board Member, Drake Law Review, 1978-1979; Iowa Board of Corrections, 2005; West Des Moines Board of Adjustment, 2000; Iowa Finance Authority Board, 2007. Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Iowa Super Lawyers, and Chambers USA for Real Estate Law. Member: American College of Real Estate Attorneys. Fellow: American College of Mortgage Attorneys. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Mortgages; Commercial Real Estate; Zoning Planning and Land Use; Property Law.Email: David M. Erickson
Lori T. Chesser (Chair, Immigration Department) born Flagstaff, Arizona, 1962; admitted to bar, 1987, Iowa. Education: Western Illinois University (B.B.A., Finance, with high honors, 1984); University of Georgia (J.D., magna cum laude, 1987). Order of the Coif. Listed in Best Lawyers for Immigration. American Immigration Lawyers Association: Co-Founder and Chair, Iowa/Nebraska Chapter, 1997-1999; Committees: Chair, Immigration Reform, 2005-2006; Chair, Essential Workers, 2006-2007; ICE Liaison, 2007-2009; Internal Enforcement, 2007-2008; Media, 2008. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Chair, International Law Section) and American Bar Associations; Polk County Women Attorneys (President, 1992); American Immigration Lawyers Association (Co-Founder and Chair, Iowa/Nebraska Chapter, 1998-1999). Practice Areas: Immigration and Naturalization Law.Email: Lori T. Chesser
Jo Ellen Whitney (Shareholder) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1963; admitted to bar, 1988, Iowa. Education: Duke University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1984; J.D., 1988). Listed in Iowa Super Lawyers. Instructor for Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; Polk County Women Attorneys Inc. Practice Areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution; Health Care; Hospital Law; Housing Law; Labor and Employment; Litigation; Privacy Law.Email: Jo Ellen Whitney
Becky S. Knutson (Shareholder) born Decorah, Iowa, 1957; admitted to bar, 1981, Iowa. Education: University of Iowa (B.A., with honors, 1978; J.D., with distinction, 1981). Listed: Iowa Super Lawyers. Student Director, Trial Advocacy Board, University of Iowa College of Law. Adjunct Professor, Drake University Law School, 1996-2000. Counsel, Republican Party of Iowa, 1999-2000. Member, Iowa Senate Ethics Committee, 1991-1992. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; Iowa Defense Council. Practice Areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution; Family Law; Labor and Employment; Workers Compensation; OSHA.Email: Becky S. Knutson
Julie Johnson McLean (Member) born Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1956; admitted to bar, 1981, Iowa. Education: Coe College (B.A., with honors, 1978); University of Iowa (J.D., with distinction, 1981). Phi Beta Kappa. Member: Polk County, Iowa State, Federal (President, 1997-1999; National Delegate, Iowa Chapter) and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Corporate Law; Commercial Law; Debtor and Creditor; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures; Banks and Banking; Equipment Finance and Leasing; Business Law; Bankruptcy.Email: Julie Johnson McLean
Beverly Evans (Shareholder) born Rushville, Nebraska, 1949; admitted to bar, 1979, Nebraska, U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska and U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit; 1996, Iowa. Education: Creighton University (B.A., 1971); University of Nebraska College of Law (J.D., 1979). Listed in Iowa Super Lawyers. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Member, Business Law Section Council), Nebraska State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Securities; Business Law; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Contracts; Corporate Law; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures; Partnership Law.Email: Beverly Evans
Margaret D. Van Houten (Shareholder) born Lancaster, Wisconsin; admitted to bar, 1979, Iowa; 1985, U.S. Tax Court; U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa. Education: Iowa State University (B.A., with honors, 1975); University of Iowa (J.D., with distinction, 1979); New York University (LL.M., Taxation, 1984). Phi Beta Kappa. Adjunct Professor of Law, Drake University, 1995-1996. Member, 1990-1999 and Chair, 1994-1996, Iowa Supreme Court Commission on the Unauthorized Practice of Law; Chair, Iowa Probate Rules Committee, 2005; Iowa Supreme Court Probate Rules Committee, 2002. Listed in: Iowa Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America in Taxation, Employee Benefits and Trusts and Estates. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Sections on: Probate and Trust Law, Section Council 1990-1993, 2006; Taxation) and American Bar Associations; American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (Chair, Technology Committee; Estate and Gift Tax Committee; Iowa State Chair, State Chairs Steering Committee). Practice Areas: Taxation; Estate Planning; Trusts and Estates; Employee Benefits.Email: Margaret D. Van Houten
Christopher P. Jannes (Shareholder) born Moline, Illinois, 1963; admitted to bar, 1989, Iowa and Illinois; 1990, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa; 1993, U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Augustana College (B.A., cum laude, 1985); University of Iowa (J.D., with distinction, 1989). Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; Iowa Defense Counsel Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Insurance; Personal Injury; Products Liability.Email: Christopher P. Jannes
Sharon K. Malheiro (Shareholder) born Chicago, Illinois, 1956; admitted to bar, 1989, Iowa. Education: Drake University (B.A., 1978; J.D., with honors, 1989). Articles Editor, Drake Law Review, 1988-1989. Adjunct Professor, Iowa State University, College of Journalism. Law Clerk to the Honorable Louis A. Lavorato, Iowa Supreme Court, 1989-1990. Listed in: Iowa Super Lawyers and Chambers USA for Employment Law. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; Polk County Women Attorneys. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Litigation; Communications and Media; Libel, Slander and Defamation; Civil Rights.Email: Sharon K. Malheiro
Kris Holub Tilley (Shareholder) born Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1965; admitted to bar, 1990, Iowa; 1991, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa; 1993, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa and U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit; 1996, U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit. Education: Mount Mercy College ( B.A., cum laude, 1987); University of Iowa (J.D., with high distinction, 1990). Practice Areas: Litigation; Product Liability; Insurance Defense; Torts.Email: Kris Holub Tilley
William A. Boatwright (Shareholder) born Des Moines, Iowa; admitted to bar, 1989, Illinois; 1994, Iowa. Education: Drake University (B.A., 1985); University of Iowa (J.D., with distinction, 1989). Phi Beta Kappa. Listed in Best Lawyers in America in Trusts and Estates and Non-Profit/Charities Law. Member: Polk County, Illinois State, Iowa State and American Bar Associations. Languages: Japanese. Practice Areas: Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations; Estate Planning; Probate; Corporate Tax Law; Individual Taxation; International Law.Email: William A. Boatwright
Thomas J. Houser (Shareholder) born Belmond, Iowa, 1964; admitted to bar, 1989, Iowa. Education: College of St. Thomas (B.A., 1986); University of Iowa (J.D., 1989). Member, Iowa Supreme Court Probate Rules Committee, 2006. Listed in: Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates; Iowa Super Lawyers; Worth Magazine Top 100 Attorneys in America, 2005. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Member, Section Council, Probate and Trust Law, 2002) and American Bar Associations. Fellow: American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Practice Areas: Business Law; Contracts; Real Estate; Estate Planning; Trusts and Estates; Estate and Gift Taxation.Email: Thomas J. Houser
Kendall R. Watkins (Shareholder) born Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1960; admitted to bar, 1985, Iowa and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa. Education: Knox College (B.A., 1982); Drake University (J.D., 1985). Senior Staff Member, Drake Law Review, 1984-1985. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; American Health Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Health Law; Administrative Law; Aged and Aging; Medicare and Medicaid.Email: Kendall R. Watkins
Scott M. Brennan (Shareholder) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1962; admitted to bar, 1994, Iowa. Education: Grinnell College (B.A., 1985); University of Iowa (J.D., 1993). Listed in Iowa Super Lawyers, 2009. Author, "Due Process Comes Due: An Argument for the Clear and Convincing Evidentiary Standard in Sentencing Hearings," 77 Iowa Law Review 1803, 1992. Chair, Iowa Democratic Party, 2006-2009. Delegation Chair, Iowa Delegation, 2008 Democratic National Convention. Member: Polk County (President, 2008 and Member, 2002, Board of Directors), Iowa State and American Bar Associations; Iowa Defense Counsel. Practice Areas: Insurance Defense; Civil Litigation; Commercial LItigation; Construction Litigation; Administrative Litigation.Email: Scott M. Brennan
Debra Rectenbaugh Pettit (Shareholder) born Creston, Iowa, 1969; admitted to bar, 1994, Iowa. Education: Drake University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1991); Northwestern University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1994). Clerk for Chief Justice McGiverin, Iowa Supreme Court, 1994-1995. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Litigation Section; District Representative, Executive Council, Young Lawyers Division, 2000-2004) and American Bar Associations; Iowa Defense Counsel Association; Defense Research Institute Inc.; National Association of Women in Construction; Polk County Women Attorneys (Board Member, 1998-2000); Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys. Practice Areas: Construction Law; Mechanics Liens; Insurance Defense; Libel, Slander and Defamation; Litigation; Negligence; Personal Injury; Product Liability; Torts; Commercial Litigation.Email: Debra Rectenbaugh Pettit
Matthew E. Laughlin (Shareholder) born Omaha, Nebraska, 1969; admitted to bar, 1996, Iowa and Nebraska. Education: Simpson College (B.A., 1992); University of Nebraska at Lincoln (J.D., with distinction, 1996). Member: Polk County, Iowa State, Nebraska State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Business Law; Real Estate; Commercial Law; Commercial Litigation.Email: Matthew E. Laughlin
Judith R. "Lynn" Boes (Shareholder) born Columbus, Ohio, 1956; admitted to bar, 1996, Iowa. Education: University of Iowa (B.S.N., with high distinction, 1979); Drake University (J.D., with honors, 1996). Order of the Coif. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; American Health Lawyers Association; Polk County Women Attorneys; Iowa Nurses' Association; Iowa Public Health Association; American Nurses Association. Reported Cases: TLC Home Health Care v. Iowa Department of Human Services, 638 NW 2nd 708 (2002 Iowa). Practice Areas: Health Law(85%); Administrative Law(15%); Aged and Aging.Email: Judith R. "Lynn" Boes
William P. Kelly (Shareholder) born Peoria, Illinois, 1967; admitted to bar, 1999, Iowa. Education: Brown University (B.A., 1990); Drake University (J.D., with honors, 1999). Managing Editor, Drake Law Review, 1999. Author, "Scope of Advertising Injury Under Iowa Law in Commercial General Liability Policies," Drake Law Review, 48:4, 2000. Member: Polk County and Iowa State and American Bar Associations. [JAG Officer Army National Guard; Trained Mediator]. Practice Areas: Litigation; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Family Law; Insurance Defense.Email: William P. Kelly
Susan J. Freed (Shareholder) born Cherokee, Iowa, 1973; admitted to bar, 1999, Iowa; 2000, Illinois. Education: University of Iowa (B.S., 1996); DePaul University (J.D., 1999). Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; American Health Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Employee Benefits; Health Care.Email: Susan J. Freed
Jason M. Ross (Shareholder) born Freeport, Illinois, 1973; admitted to bar, 1999, Wisconsin; 2000, Illinois; 2003, Iowa. Education: University of Illinois-Urbana (B.A., magna cum laude, 1995); University of Iowa (J.D., with distinction, 1999). Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Delta Phi. Member, University of Iowa Law Review. Member: Illinois State, Iowa State and American (Sections on: Franchising; Real Property; UCC) Bar Associations; State Bar of Wisconsin. Languages: German. Practice Areas: Commercial Finance; Franchises and Franchising; Business Acquisitions; Real Estate.Email: Jason M. Ross
Jason M. Stone (Shareholder) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1973; admitted to bar, 2000, Iowa and U.S. Tax Court. Education: University of Iowa (B.S., 1996); Washburn University of Topeka (J.D., magna cum laude, 2000); New York University (LL.M., 2001). Editor, Washburn Law Journal, 1999-2000. Adjunct Professor of Law, Business Entity Taxation, Drake University, 2007. Listed Up and Coming in Chambers USA Corporate/M&A. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Taxation; Business Law; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures.Email: Jason M. Stone
Amy M. Landwehr (Shareholder) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1974; admitted to bar, 2001, Iowa. Education: University of Central Florida (B.A., cum laude, 1996); Louis Brandeis School of Law, University of Louisville (J.D., cum laude, 2001). Member: Brandeis Law Journal, 1990-2000; Journal of Law and Education, 1999-2000. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; Polk County Women Attorneys Association; American Immigration Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Immigration and Naturalization.Email: Amy M. Landwehr
John C. Pietila (Shareholder) born Lake Norden, South Dakota, 1974; admitted to bar, 2002, Iowa. Education: South Dakota State University (B.S., 1997); University of Iowa (J.D., with distinction, 2002). Phi Delta Phi. Member, Journal of Corporation Law. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American (Sections on: Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law; Business Law) Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Business Law; Corporate Law; Telecommunications Law; Renewable Energy.Email: John C. Pietila
Emily E. Harris (Shareholder) born Des Moines, Iowa; admitted to bar, 2003, Iowa. Education: Grinnell College (B.A., 1998); University of Iowa (J.D., 2003). Member: Polk County and Iowa State Bar Associations; Polk County Women Attorneys; Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys; Iowa Intellectual Property Association (Treasurer). Practice Areas: Intellectual Property; Intellectual Property Litigation; Patents; Trademarks; Copyrights.Email: Emily E. Harris
B. J. Miller (Shareholder) born Buffalo Center, Iowa, 1975; admitted to bar, 2002, Iowa. Education: University Northern Iowa (B.A., 1998); Drake University Law School (J.D., 2002). Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Member, Real Estate Section) and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Real Estate.Email: B. J. Miller
ASSOCIATESJeffrey D. Ewoldt (Associate) born Spencer, Iowa, 1971; admitted to bar, 2000, Iowa; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa. Education: Iowa State University (B.S., Journalism/Mass Communication, with distinction, 1993); Drake University Law School (J.D., with honors, 2000). Phi Beta Kappa. Articles Editor, Drake University Law Review, 1999-2000. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Litigation; Business Law; Insurance; Labor and Employment; Personal Injury; Real Estate.Email: Jeffrey D. Ewoldt
Jodie Clark McDougal (Senior Associate) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1979; admitted to bar, 2004, Iowa. Education: Iowa State University (B.A., 2001); University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2004). Member: Polk County and Iowa State Bar Associations; Polk County Women Attorneys. Practice Areas: Litigation; Labor and Employment; Commercial Litigation; Torts.Email: Jodie Clark McDougal
John S. Long (Associate) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1973; admitted to bar, 2000, California; 2005, Iowa. Education: Northwestern University (B.A., 1996); University of Iowa (J.D., 1999). Articles Editor, University of Iowa Law Review. Member: Iowa State Bar Association. Practice Areas: Business Organizations; Business Transactions; Securities.Email: John S. Long
Tara Z. Hall (Associate) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1980; admitted to bar, 2005, Iowa. Education: University of Iowa (B.A., English, 2002); Drake University Law School (J.D., with high honors, 2005). Executive Editor, Drake Law Review, 2004-2005. Member: Polk County and Iowa State Bar Associations; Polk County Women Attorneys (Membership Chair); Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Labor and Employment; Commercial Litigation; Real Estate.Email: Tara Z. Hall
Charles N. Wittmack (Associate) born Ames, Iowa, 1977; admitted to bar, 2006, Iowa. Education: Henry B. Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa (B.B.A., 2001); University of Iowa (J.D., with distinction, 2006). Member: Iowa State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Litigation; Construction Litigation; Real Estate Litigation.Email: Charles N. Wittmack
Courtney Strutt Todd (Associate) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1980; admitted to bar, 2006, Iowa. Education: University of Northern Iowa (B.A., Accounting, 2003); Drake University (M.B.A., 2006; J.D., with high honors, 2006). Certified Public Accountant, 2007. Member: Iowa State and American Bar Associations; Iowa Society of Public Accountants; Polk County Women Attorneys, Inc. Practice Areas: Taxation; Business Law; Public Finance.Email: Courtney Strutt Todd
Scott D. Mikkelsen (Associate) born Marshalltown, Iowa; admitted to bar, 2006, Iowa. Education: University of Northern Iowa (B.A., Finance, summa cum laude, 2000); University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology & The Manchester Business School, England (M.Sc., Economics, 2001); Duke University (J.D., 2006). Practice Areas: Business Law; Finance; Tax Credit Development; Renewable Energy.Email: Scott D. Mikkelsen
Kelly A. Deters (Associate) born Waterloo, Iowa, 1981; admitted to bar, 2007, Iowa. Education: Northwestern University (B.A., summa cum laude, 2004); University of Iowa (J.D., with highest distinction, 2007). Phi Beta Kappa. Member, University of Iowa Law Review. Member: Iowa State Bar Association. Practice Areas: Business Law.Email: Kelly A. Deters
Amber K. Rutledge (Associate) born Clearfield, Pennsylvania, 1980; admitted to bar, 2007, Iowa. Education: Drake University (B.A. 2003; J.D., with high honors, 2007). Order of the Coif. Recipient, Public Service Certificate. Member, 2005-2007 and Editor, 2006-2007, Drake Law Review. Member: Polk County and Iowa State Bar Associations; Polk County Women Attorneys; C. Edwin Moore Inns of Court. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Real Estate Litigation; Labor and Employment Litigation; Environmental Law.Email: Amber K. Rutledge
Nichole Miras Mordini (Associate) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1974; admitted to bar, 2004, Iowa. Education: Grinnell College (B.A., 1996); University of Iowa (M.S.W.); Drake University Law School (J.D., 2004). Member: Polk County and Iowa State Bar Associations; American Immigration Lawyers Association; C. Edwin Moore American Inn of Court; Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys; Polk County Women Attorneys. Practice Areas: Removal Proceedings; Deportation; Immigration and Naturalization; Criminal Law; Family Law.Email: Nichole Miras Mordini
Krystle L. Campa (Associate) born St. Paul, Minnesota, 1982; admitted to bar, 2007, Iowa. Education: Creighton University (B.S.B.A., 2004), Drake University (J.D., with high distinction, 2007). Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Business Law; Real Estate.Email: Krystle L. Campa
Sarah K. Franklin (Associate) admitted to bar, 2008, Iowa. Education: University of Iowa (B.A., with high distinction, 2004); University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., with distinction, 2007). Member: Polk County and Iowa State Bar Associations; Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys; Polk County Women Attorneys. Practice Areas: Business Litigation; Labor and Employment; Litigation; Real Estate.Email: Sarah K. Franklin
Victoria P. Nwasike (Associate) born Jacksonville, Florida, 1978; admitted to bar, 2008, Iowa. Education: University of Central Florida (B.A., 2000); George Mason University (Masters of Public Policy, 2005); Drake University Law School (J.D., with high honors, 2008). Federal Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable James E. Gritzner, Southern District of Iowa. Member: Iowa State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Victoria P. Nwasike
M. Michelle Lickteig (Associate) born Davenport, Iowa, 1979; admitted to bar, 2005, Iowa. Education: Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame (B.A., Political Science, magna cum laude, 2002); Drake University (Juris Doctorate, with honors; Legislative Practice Certificate, Masters in Public Administration, 2005). Practice Areas: Government Relations.Email: M. Michelle Lickteig
Christopher James (Associate) born North Carolina; admitted to bar, 2006, Iowa. Education: University of North Carolina, Greensboro (B.S., Accounting, cum laude, 2003); Drake University (J.D., with honors, 2006); Northwestern University (LL.M., Taxation, 2009). Assistant Attorney General, Iowa Department of Justice, 2006-2008. Member: Pol County, Iowa State and American (Member, Tax Section) Bar Associations. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Taxation; Tax Litigation.Email: Christopher James
Christopher Talcott (Associate) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1983; admitted to bar, 2008, Iowa. Education: University of Iowa (B.S., highest distinction, 2005); Drake University Law School (J.D., highest honors, 2008); New York University (LL.M., 2009). Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations.Email: Christopher Talcott
Samuel P. Langholz (Associate) born Ashland, Wisconsin, 1979; admitted to bar, 2008, Iowa. Education: Washington & Lee University (B.A., 2002); University of Iowa (J.D., 2008). Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Litigation; Appellate Practice.Email: Samuel P. Langholz
Elizabeth Meyer (Associate) born Warrensburg, Missouri, 1984; admitted to bar, 2009, Iowa. Education: Truman State University (B.A., 2006); Drake University Law School (J.D., with highest honors, 2009). Practice Areas: Litigation; Appellate Practice.Email: Elizabeth Meyer
Michele Warnock (Associate) born Centerville, Iowa, 1984; admitted to bar, 2009, Iowa. Education: Drake University (B.A., 2006); Drake University Law School (J.D., with highest honors, 2009). Practice Areas: Appellate Practice; Litigation.Email: Michele Warnock
OF COUNSELDonald J. Brown (Of Counsel) admitted to bar, 1958, Iowa. Education: Creighton University and University of Iowa (B.A., 1956); University of Iowa (J.D., 1958); Georgetown University (LL.M., 1961). Listed in Best Lawyers for Corporate Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates; Iowa Super Lawyers; and Chambers USA for Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions. Practice Areas: Corporate; Securities; Tax.Email: Donald J. Brown
Denise R. Claton (Of Counsel) born Des Moines, Iowa, 1970; admitted to bar, 1996, Iowa. Education: Drake University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1992); University of Iowa (J.D., with distinction, 1996). Phi Beta Kappa. Member: Iowa State Bar Association; American Immigration Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Immigration and Naturalization.Email: Denise R. Claton
C. Carleton Frederici (Of Counsel) admitted to bar, 1965, Iowa; 1966, New York. Education: University of Iowa (B.A., 1960; J.D., with high distinction, 1965). Order of the Coif. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: C. Carleton Frederici
A. J. Greffenius (Of Counsel) admitted to bar, 1950, Minnesota; 1959, North Dakota; 1967, Iowa. Education: Valley City State University (B.A.,Ed., 1947); University of Michigan (LL.B., 1950). Member: Polk County and Iowa State Bar (Member, International Law Council Section) Associations. Practice Areas: International Trade Law.Email: A. J. Greffenius
Dennis D. Jerde (Of Counsel) born Clarion, Iowa, 1942; admitted to bar, 1967, Iowa. Education: University of Iowa (B.A., 1964; J.D., with distinction, 1967). Member, Board of Editors, Iowa Law Review, 1966-1967. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Member: Iowa Jury Instructions Committee, 1993-2002; Lawyers Professional Liability Insurance Committee, 1992-1993) and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Dennis D. Jerde
William J. Koehn (Of Counsel) born Winterset, Iowa, 1936; admitted to bar, 1963, Iowa; 1971, U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit. Education: Drake University; University of Iowa (B.A., 1958; J.D., 1963). Order of the Coif. Member, Board of Editors, Iowa Law Review, 1962-1963. Lex Mundi Board of Directors, 1992-1996. Construction and Commercial Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association, 2004. Certified by Construction Dispute Resolution (CDRS) for Commercial and Construction Arbitration, Mediation, Dispute Review Boards, and Advanced Arbitration and Mediation. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Member: Council on Environmental Law; Professionalism Committee) and American Bar Associations; The Iowa Trial Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Construction Law; Litigation; Products Liability; Personal Liability; Toxic Torts.Email: William J. Koehn
Stephen M. Morain (Of Counsel) born Jefferson, Iowa, September 12, 1945; admitted to bar, 1971, Iowa. Education: University of Iowa (B.A., 1968; J.D., with distinction, 1971). Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Delta Phi. Articles Editor, Iowa Law Review, 1970-1971. Assistant Commerce Counsel, Iowa State Commerce Commission, 1971. Member: Iowa Defense Counsel Association, 1980-2006; Association of Life Insurance Counsel, 1982-2008; American Association of Corporate Counsel, 1990-2008. General Counsel, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Affiliated Companies, 1982-2008. Director, Life & Health Insurance Guarantee Association of Wyoming and Colorado, 1996-2007. Chair, Iowa Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association, 1998-2007. Member, Legal Section, American Council on Life Insurance. Member: Polk County, Iowa State (Member, 1976-1980, Secretary, 1977-1978 and Chair, 1978-1979, Committee on Bar Review, Young Lawyers Section; Member: Executive Council, 1978-1981; Committee on Agricultural Law, 1984-1987, 1991-1995; Committee on Corporations and Business Law, 1988-1992; Chair, Corporate Counsel Section, 1992-1994) and American Bar Associations. Fellow: Iowa State Bar Foundation. [1st Lt., USAF, 1971-1972]. Practice Areas: Finance; Business Law; Securities.Email: Stephen M. Morain
Joseph M. Pawlosky (Of Counsel) born Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, 1959; admitted to bar, 1996, Illinois; 2002, Iowa. Education: West Virginia University (B.S., cum laude, 1985; M.B.A., 1986); DePaul University (J.D., with honors, 1996). Order of the Coif. Member, DePaul Law Review, 1994-1996. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and Illinois State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Employee Benefits.Email: Joseph M. Pawlosky
Richard E. Ramsay (Of Counsel) admitted to bar, 1961, Iowa. Education: Drake University (B.A., 1959; J.D., 1961).Email: Richard E. Ramsay
Thomas E. Salsbery (Of Counsel) born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1946; admitted to bar, 1972, Iowa. Education: University of Iowa (B.A., 1968; J.D., with distinction, 1972). Lecturer: Commercial Paper, 1974; Commercial Transactions, 1992, Drake University College of Law. Member: Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; American Agricultural Law Association. Practice Areas: Commercial Law; Consumer Law; Professional Liability.Email: Thomas E. Salsbery
Neal E. Smith (Of Counsel) admitted to bar, 1950, Iowa. Education: Syracuse University; University of Missouri; Drake University (J.D., 1950). [Maj., U.S. Army Air Corps, 1942-1945]. Practice Areas: International Law; Federal Government; State and Local Government.Email: Neal E. Smith
William D. Thomas (Of Counsel) admitted to bar, 1973, Ohio; 1975, Iowa. Education: University of Iowa (B.S., 1967; J.D., with high distinction, 1973). (Also practicing individually at Pocahontas). Practice Areas: Real Estate; Tax.
Ratings Methodology
The following firm members have been rated by their peers
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