Bar Fellowship
of the American College of Trusts & Estates Council (ACTEC), a national association of lawyers skilled and experienced in and committed to improving the fields of estate planning, probate and trust law.
•
The Best Lawyers in America 2008-2015, Trusts and Estates.
• Worth Magazine Top 100 Attorneys in the nation (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; Note, this ranking was discontinued in 2008). Worth compiled nominations from financial advisors, family office executives, accountants, consultants, academics and subscribers to produce the Top 100 Attorney listing.
•
Great Plains Super Lawyers, Estate Planning and Probate
Seminars, Lectures & Publications
Seminars & Lectures:
• The Principal Financial Group, Taking Control Series speaker, estate planning (2010, 2011)
• University of Iowa College of Law, Spring Tax Institute speaker (2003, 2008, 2011)
• Iowa State Bar Association Probate CLE speaker (1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007)
• Iowa State Bar Association Tax School speaker (2002)
• Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting Speaker (2002)
• Iowa State Bar Association Bridge the Gap speaker (2003)
Publications:
• Kurtz on Iowa Estates, contributing author to 5th edition (expected publication 2009).
• Iowa Laws Affecting IRAs, author, published on Leimburg Information Services, Inc., website.
• A Comparative Study of the Former Owner's Right of First Refusal Upon a Lender's Resale of Foreclosed. Agricultural Land: A New Form of State Mortgagor Relief Legislation, The Journal of Corporation Law, Vol. 13, No. 3, pg. 895 (Spring 1988).
Memberships
• ISBA Probate Section Council (2005-2008)
• ISBA President's Task Force for CLE Reform (2005-2008)
• Iowa State Bar Association Bridge the Gap CLE (chair, 2001; member, 1994-2000
• American Bar Association
• American College of Trusts and Estate Council (ACTEC)
• Iowa State Bar Association
• Polk County Bar Association
Community
• UnityPoint Health Foundation (Board of Directors, 1998 to 2013; Board Chair, 2014-2017)
• Financial Planning Association of Iowa (President and Board of Directors, 2000-2001)
• Iowa Lutheran Hospital Foundation (Board of Directors, 1993-1998)
• Leadership Iowa Graduate (1999-2000)
• Member, Forty Under 40 Class by The Des Moines Business Record (2003)
• Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Graduate (1995)
Personal
Tom is a third generation lawyer. He was born and raised in Belmond, Iowa. Tom and his wife, Susan, live in Urbandale with their two children. His hobbies include golf, basketball, water and snow skiing, and personal finance.
Articles
• 33 Davis Brown attorneys named "Best Lawyers in America"
• Thomas J. Houser Celebrates 15 Years of Service
• Davis Brown to Host Annual Fiduciary Litigation Seminar
• 32 Davis Brown Attorneys Selected for The Best Lawyers in America® 2013
• Protecting Your Estate
• Thomas J. Houser Named to Worth Top 100 Attorneys 2008
• Thomas J. Houser Joins West Des Moines Leadership Academy Class of 2009
• The Davis Brown Law Firm Congratulates Thomas J. Houser for 10 Years of Service
• Thomas J. Houser Named Top 100 Attorney by Worth Magazine
• Houser Named To Worth Magazine"Ts Top 100 Attorneys
• Attorney Thomas J. Houser named to 2007 Best Lawyers Edition
• Attorney Tom Houser Named to Worth Magazine's Top 100 Attorneys