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Brennan R Block

Brennan R Block

Attorney at the Brown Winick Law Firm of Des Moines, IA
  • Business Law
  • Iowa
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Biography

I represent businesses and their owners in a variety of different spaces, ranging from agriculture, construction and real estate development all the way to emerging technology, venture capital and financial services. The diversity of the clients I work for and the issues they present me with make me well-equipped to provide you practical legal advice on all matters pertaining to your business.

My specific expertise is in structuring, negotiating and documenting merger and acquisition (“M&A”) transactions. In the past few years, I’ve served as lead or associate counsel on a variety of M&A transactions, ranging in value from $5,000 to over $28 million. I’ve also assisted with the drafting of numerous partnership agreements, operating agreements, buy-sell agreements, partner buy-out agreements and joint venture agreements. I stick by my clients every step of the way, helping them plan for and assess business opportunities and transactions throughout the enterprise life cycle, from formation and operations through transition by succession, sale or dissolution.

I take your interests personally and will fight for you in the trenches on important issues with respect to any given transaction. With that being said, my legal strategy always takes into consideration the main reason you hired me: to close your deal as efficiently as possible while protecting your interests at the same time. My ability to identify and control items that are important and provide you the most value as opposed to those items that provide you very little practical benefit is my greatest asset to you.

I received my undergraduate education at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business, where I graduated, magna cum laude. I then attended Creighton University’s School of Law, where I received my J.D., magna cum laude.

Practice Area
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Additional Practice Areas
  • Commercial Transactions
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Aviation Law
  • Corporate Formation and Governance
  • Public Private Partnerships (P3s)
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
    All invoices may be paid by credit card by calling our accounting department or through the invoice portal on our website.
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Please do not hesitate to contact me for an estimate of legal fees for any given transaction/situation/issue you are facing.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Iowa
Supreme Court of Iowa
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • Spanish: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Attorney
BrownWinick Law Firm
- Current
Business/Transactional Attorney
Law Clerk
Union Pacific Railroad - Real Estate
-
Education
Creighton University School of Law
J.D. | Business Law
-
Honors: magna cum laude
Creighton University School of Law Logo
Creighton University
B.S. | Business
-
Honors: magna cum laude
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Awards
Outstanding Law School Achievement Awards
CALI
Achieved the highest law school grades in the following subject matters: Taxation of Business Enterprises, Business Associations, Professional Responsibility, Property, Legal Research & Writing, Civil Procedure, and Environmental Law.
Professional Associations
Iowa State Bar Association
Current
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Polk County Bar Association
Current
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State Bar of Iowa
Member
Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Nebraska Trade Secret Protection: The Forum Selection Conundrum Facing Trade Secret Owners After the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016
Creighton Law Review
Speaking Engagements
Picking the Correct Legal Entity for your Business, Reboot to Business, Iowa State University
U.S. Small Business Administration
Presented to a group of Veterans on the various types of legal entities and the opportunities and challenges associated with each. Offered an overview of other legal considerations impacting Veteran-owned businesses.
Facilitating the Job with Effective Construction Contracting, HalfMoon Education Seminars, Johston, IA
Halfmoon Education Inc.
Presented on the topics of: understanding construction project delivery systems, understanding key construction contract terms and concepts, using standard contract documents (AIA or ConsensusDocs), and modifying contracts and selecting dispute resolution mechanisms.
Certifications
Business and Tax Law Certification
Creighton University School of Law
Websites & Blogs
Website
Firm Website
Blog
Aircraft Dry Lease Checklist
Blog
What is an S Corp?
Legal Answers
3 Questions Answered
Q. I received a summons for a complaint for declaratory relief. I don’t know what it is or means
A: Generally, a lawsuit filed for declaratory relief involves someone requesting for a court to enter a judgment that states the rights of parties to the lawsuit without ordering any specific action or awarding money to either party. In your circumstance, the insurance company is likely seeking a court judgment stating that it does not owe you any money for your accident. If you would like to preserve your right to seek compensation from your insurer, you should engage a Florida attorney immediately to defend your rights in the declaratory action. Otherwise, if the court enters a judgment in favor of the insurer, most likely you will not be able to go after the insurer for compensation any lon ger. ... Read More
Q. I am filing a suit against a paving contractor for work he did on my driveway.
A: Generally, you cannot simply place a lien on someone's property unless you are allowed to do so by state statute (i.e. by state law). A common state law that allows contractors to place a lien on their customers' property is the applicable state mechanics' lien law. That law generally allows someone that improves property to place a lien for payment on the respective property. In your case, you did not improve the contractor's property, so that law would not be beneficial to you. As there's likely no other state law available to you, it's likely you could not place a lien on the contractor's property without winning your case in court first and getting a judgment. You should confirm that you can recover a $14,985 judgment in state small claims court prior to proceeding (some states have limits on the amount you can recover). You should consider consulting a local attorney to assist you with your claims against the contractor. ... Read More
Q. My husband is in jail for domestic violence. I want to divorce him and get my sons passport so I can return home
A: Yes, it is possible to divorce your husband while he is in jail. You will need to serve him, in jail, with a divorce petition and follow procedures required by law. You should hire an experienced divorce attorney in your state to help with you with the process.
View More Answers
Contact & Map
Brown, Winick, Graves, Gross, Baskerville & Schoenebaum P.L.C.
666 Grand Avenue Suite 2000 Ruan Center
Des Moines, IA 50309
Telephone: (515) 242-2441