West Des Moines Lawyers

Lee M. Rankin is a partner at Willson & Pechacek, PLC, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mr. Rankin primarily practices in the areas of taxation, corporate law, estate planning, real estate, and trust and probate administration. He represents clients in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Monona County and throughout Southwest Iowa and Eastern Nebraska. Lee was born in Omaha, NE and received his BSBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in accounting in 1998. He received his Nebraska license as a Certified Public Accounting in 2001. In 2002, Lee returned to school, attending the University of Nebraska College of Law where...

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (top 1%) Past President, Iowa State Bar Association Past President, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers (250) Past V.P., Iowa Association for Justice (f.k.a. Iowa Trial Lawyers) Founding Board of Directors, American Academy of ADR Attorneys Past Chair, Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission Past Member, Iowa Supreme Court Nominating Commission Top Great Plains SuperLawyers (top 5%) Board of Directors, Iowa Defense Counsel Association Board of Directors, Iowa Law School Foundation AVVO rating 10/10

I have practiced workers' compensation in Iowa for twelve years. I only represent the injured workers, not big business or insurance companies. I have previously served on the Iowa Association for Justice Workers' Compensation Core Group and currently serve on the Board of Governors for the Iowa Association of Workers' Compensation Attorneys. I served as co-chair for two years for the Iowa Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee and I have given many presentations on workers' compensation topics to various bar associations or attorney groups. I have handled many types of injury claims from partial amputations of fingers...

Charles Kenville was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota. He graduated from Fargo South High School and attended North Dakota State University in Fargo where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology in 1995. He received his Juris Doctorate from Drake Law School in 1999. After being admitted to practice in Iowa, Charles started his career with the Polk County Attorney’s Office in Des Moines as an Assistant County Attorney. As a prosecutor Charles tried several felony jury trials. Charles went into private practice after serving as a...

I am a licensed Attorney, certified Mediator and certified Collaborative Law Attorney in the State of Iowa and am passionate about providing quality client service through competency, communication and compassion. I am a part of the general practice firm, Nelson Law Firm, PLLC, where I provide legal services at our main office in Waterloo, Iowa and branch office in Grundy Center, Iowa. My practice areas include but are not limited to, business law, real estate, mediation, family law, including collaborative family law, creditors' rights law (including subrogation, collections and foreclosure), estate planning, probate, guardian/conservator law, and guardian ad litem services....

Nina grew up in Waterloo, Iowa, attended the University of Northern Iowa and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Nina later attended Drake University Law School where she gained practical experience interning for Iowa Legal Aid and as a student attorney/mediator at the Drake Legal Clinic. At the Drake Mediation Clinic Nina served as a mediator for divorce, child custody and small claims cases.Nina enjoys volunteering and has served in leadership positions: Junior Girl Scout Leader for Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois and as a Parent Teacher Association volunteer leader, treasurer and event organizer for a...

Daniel is committed to competent advising, responsive communication, and value-based service for clients. With a background and continued involvement in his family's farm, Daniel P. Fischer understands the legal needs and planning techniques best suited for individuals, farms, and businesses in southwest Iowa. Daniel studied Agricultural Business and Economics at Iowa State University, where he graduated summa cum laude and served as the Student Body President. At the University of Iowa, Daniel earned his Juris Doctor, with distinction, and was published in the Iowa Law Review for his note on the taxation of agricultural bankruptcies. Following law school,...

Gina has been practicing law for the last 20 years, previously serving the communities of Franklin, Wright, and Cerro Gordo counties. Between her work in private practice, and public service, she has a wide breadth of knowledge and experience, ensuring her ability to zealously tackle the majority of your legal needs.

Gina obtained her Juris Doctorate in 2000 from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, having spent her last year of law school as a visiting student at Drake -- Go Bulldogs! Thereafter, she clerked for Iowa Judicial District 2A, supporting judges covering the 9...

Berry Law has led fights against unjust prosecutions and government overreach since 1965. This team of warrior lawyers knows what it takes to win in the courtroom and beyond. John S. Berry Jr. helps his clients fight some of the most important battles of their lives. John has not only led successful teams in the courtroom, resulting in several jury trial victories, but has also led soldiers in deployments to Iraq and Bosnia. John personifies the warrior ethos that is the foundation for Berry Law’s success. Beyond the battlefield and the courtroom, John’s leadership experience extends to community organizations locally and...

Mindi Vervaecke is an Attorney at Law for Wertz Law Firm, P.C. Her practice focuses on Workers' Compensation. Mindi joined the firm in 2021 and is committed to representing injured workers throughout the state of Iowa. As a 1996 graduate of the University of Iowa Law School with distinction, Mindi has been a member of the Iowa Association of Justice Workers' Compensation Core Group, Continuing Education Committee, Iowa Supreme Court Nominating Commission. Mindi currently serves as a member of the Iowa Supreme Court Commission on Continuing Legal Education, in addition to her memberships with the Iowa Association of Justice and Iowa Association...

Attorney Colby M. Lessmann was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, and is a graduate of Sioux City North High School. Colby graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Business (B.S., 1996) and School of Law (J.D., 1999). During his law school education, he published a casenote in the South Dakota Law Review (1998) and was both the Managing Editor and the Production Editor for Volume 44 of the South Dakota Law Review (1998-1999). After graduating from Law School, Colby clerked for Justice Robert Amundson of the South Dakota Supreme Court in Pierre, South Dakota. In August...

Some lawyers dabble in many different areas of the law. Not so for Tom Wertz. Shortly after moving into private practice, he turned his focus to workers' compensation and representing injured workers. Wertz quickly recognized the need for experienced attorneys in this specialized field. His commitment has resulted in a legal practice representing injured workers for more than 35 years. His record before the Iowa Supreme Court has led to major legal changes on behalf of injured workers. These changes include: Compensation benefits for tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and acute psychological injuries. Home medical care for out-of-state injured workers. These workers no...

Attorney Tim Bottaro is a graduate of Creighton University (B.A. 1981) and the University of Iowa (J.D. 1983 With Distinction). He is admitted to practice law in the United States Appellate Court (8th Circuit) and United States Federal Court, as well as Iowa state courts. Tim handles primarily personal injury cases, such as car accidents, motorcycle accidents, semi accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian injury accidents, wrongful death claims, construction accidents, dram shop suits (vs. establishments who serve alcohol), slip and falls, and animal bites. He also handles insurance litigation and general litigation matters. With Tim, your consultation is always free! Tim became...

Attorney Dean Fankhauser was raised in Chadron, Nebraska and is the son of former business owners who still reside in Chadron today. After graduating from Chadron State College, Dean studied at The University of South Dakota School of Law and graduated in 2014 with a Juris Doctor. While in law school, Dean had many great experiences, including advancing to the Elite 8 of the Sam Masten Appellate Advocacy Competition and completing an internship at the Federal Public Defender’s office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dean moved to the Siouxland Community after law school and shortly began working as an associate attorney....

Melvin O. Shaw is a solo, general practicing attorney at The Law Office of Melvin O. Shaw, P.LC., located in Coralville, Iowa. His general practice areas include real estate, estate planning and probate, and business law. Melvin graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2004. Melvin earned an M.A. from the University of Iowa in 1997 and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Melvin is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association (Probate, Real Estate, Business Law, and Family Law committees). He...

Attorney Deborah J. Morris was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa. She attended college at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa where she graduated summa cum laude earning dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Business and Accounting. Deborah graduated With High Honor from the South Dakota School of Law in 2016 and began working in the field of family law. Deborah opened her own firm in 2019 offering both full and limited scope services in family law, as well as estate planning and business formations services. Deborah joined the law firm of Tigges, Bottaro & Lessmann, LLP in January...

While in law school, Mrs. Van Wyhe was an active member of the South Dakota Law Review and volunteered as a C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court. Following law school and prior to starting in private practice, Amanda was a law clerk for the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Amanda entered private practice in 2006 at the Vriezelaar law firm as an associate and became a partner in 2011. In 2009, Mrs. Van Wyhe was officially recognized and commended by the Iowa Supreme Court for contributing more...

Mr. Pothitakis practices in the areas of Iowa Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury. He focuses on helping Injured workers in their fight for full compensation when injured at work in Iowa. His personal injury practice focuses on auto accident and other litigated claims. As an AV-Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubble and a 10.0 out of 10.0 rated attorney by AVVO he is highly skilled and qualified in his areas of practice. Mr. Pothitakis handles cases across the state including cases from Davenport, Bettendorf, Muscatine, Burlington, Keokuk, Clinton, Dubuque, Iowa City, Mt. Pleasant, Fairfield, Ottumwa and most other Iowa towns.

Attorney T. Cody Farrens was raised in Decatur, Nebraska working on the family farm. He attended college at the University of Nebraska at Omaha before attending law school at the University of Iowa. While in law school, Cody was on the Jessup International Moot Court Competition and was published in the Journal of Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems. Cody graduated from law school in 2010 and relocated with his family to Sioux City, where he began work at a local law firm focusing on insurance issues, personal injury, family law, and workers’ compensation. He then became a partner at Fankhauser, Farrens...

Joseph C. Creen has over 30 years experience in the practice of law, litigating cases in Iowa and Illinois state and federal courts and advising clients with personal, business and employment matters, real estate matters, individuals and families for estate planning needs and probate. Mr Creen has a varied and extensive trial practice experience, including personal injury, brain injury, product liability, wrongful death, slip and fall, auto cases, catastrophic injury, as well as contract and construction disputes, estate & probate matters, such as Will contest and undue influence, consumer protection, such as wrongful foreclosure or collections, ...

Let a qualified, award-winning lawyer take care of all your legal needs. At Hansen Law Offices in Burlington, Iowa, we have over 37 years of experience in representing our clients in the state and federal courts. It is our primary goal to diligently ensure that our clients receive the best legal assistance available, while maintaining all of their rights afforded under the law. Hansen Law Offices is a full service law firm providing services in most areas of the law with the high concentration devoted to General Practice, Including but not Limited to: Accidents, Bankruptcy, Criminal Law, Legal Malpractice, Litigation, Medical...

I have spent my career representing individuals and families throughout Iowa in personal injury and employment law claims. In 2017, after 12 years at a successful firm in Cedar Rapids, I started my own law firm, Ann Brown Legal, where we help our clients navigate the legal system from the beginning of a case all the way through the appeal process if necessary.

I have called Iowa home my entire life. My first job offer out of law school brought me to NE Iowa for the first time in my life, and I was disappointed it took me 25 years to see it with my own eyes. I worked for a small general practice firm in Waukon for about 4 years before I left to become my own boss. I have been living the dream and operating my own firm, Hay Law, P.L.C. since June 2015. The vast majority of my time practicing has been dedicated to criminal law whether...

Attorney Ryan Ross is a graduate of Doane College (B.S. 1992 with distinction) and Willamette Law School (J.D. 1995). He is admitted to practice law in the United States Federal Court, as well as Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska state courts. Ryan handles primarily real estate property matters (such as title opinions, title guarantee, foreclosures, deeds, sales, acquisitions, condominium transactions, purchase agreements, contracts, leases, options, easements, restrictive covenants, construction liens, landlord-tenant, evictions, subdivision, and zoning and board adjustment items), business matters (corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, acquisitions, sales, mergers, contracts, succession planning, dissolutions, and licensing), and estate planning...

Partner at Cray Law Firm.

Nicole Hughes is the managing partner in the law firm of Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP. Her practice focuses on bankruptcy, commercial law, and debtor-creditor relations. She received her B.S. from Creighton University in 2000 and her Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law in 2003. She has been admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Iowa and Nebraska as well as the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. She is a member of various local, state and federal bar associations as well as the American Bankruptcy Institute....