Westside Lawyers

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...

Jamie L. Cox is a partner at Willson & Pechacek, PLC, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mr. Cox’s general litigation practice focuses on employment and labor law, estate and trust litigation, personal injury law, business law, and civil rights law. He represents clients in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County and throughout Southwest Iowa and Eastern Nebraska. A native of Wapello, Iowa, Mr. Cox graduated with honors from the University of Iowa, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in history and sociology. He later obtained his law degree from The University of Iowa College of Law. Licensed to practice in the state...

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...

Dave Patton has practiced law for over 35 years, initially in private practice in a suburban law firm in Des Moines, Iowa; then as staff attorney for a small state agency (the Iowa Governor’s Office of Planning and Programming), followed by a move to Richmond, Virginia, where he became a partner in a boutique law firm engaged in business and environmental litigation almost exclusively in federal courts, before returning to his hometown to raise his four boys and engage in the general practice of law, limited to marital, custody, and property disputes, estate and probate matters, real estate and business...

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,...

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...

Joe Casey is a civil trial attorney representing plaintiffs in financial, products, and medical litigation. Rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, Joe has been recognized as a Great Plains Rising Star by SuperLawyer, and been named one of the country's leading young plaintiff lawyers by Lawdragon as well as a Top 40 Under 40 trial attorney by National Trial Lawyers.

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...

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...

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...

Russell Nicolet has always been focused on helping people through difficult situations. He became an attorney and has integrated this personal philosophy into his practice so that he could help people through some of the most stressful situations they will face in life. Russell’s goal in every case is to help his clients get into a better position than where they were prior to contacting him. Russell has focused his legal practice to the area of Personal Injury in Wisconsin and Minnesota. This focused approach allows him to provide clients with knowledgeable and effective representation while maintaining the...

I am an aggressive, experienced criminal defense lawyer. I handle all types of criminal cases including but not limited to: traffic tickets, assaults, domestic assaults, sexual assaults, OWI, public intoxication, drug charges, federal drug charges, federal child pornography charges, federal medicare fraud, state & federal gun charges, harassment, stalking, burglary, robbery, forgery, theft, fraud, murder etc. I also handle state and federal appeals from all types of criminal cases. My goal is to get you the best possible outcome on your case. This involves a skilled evaluation of the charges, the evidence and available strategies. I will never back...

Brett J. Trout, P.C. is an AV-rated Midwest law firm, offering its clients the global perspective on Intellectual Property and Information Technology issues. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, Brett J. Trout has serviced clients across Iowa and throughout the country for over a decade.Brett's latest book, CyberLaw: A Legal Arsenal for Online Business, is available now on Amazon.com. Mr. Trout offers a free 30 minute new-client consultation.

Brad Biren is an elder law and estate planning attorney with specialized training in tax law. He is passionate about crisis Medicaid planning, special needs planning, and reducing tax liability. Much of his work also focuses on business and land-use consulting for startups, early ventures, and agriculture. Born in New York, Brad attended Cornell University for his undergraduate degrees in both landscape architecture and plant sciences. In 2006, he became the youngest person in the state of Florida to obtain LEED Accreditation. Mr. Biren moved to Iowa to attend the University of Iowa College of...

I'm Tim Semelroth. I'm a board-certified trial attorney in Iowa, and I fight for fairness for Iowans who have been injured because of someone else's fault. My firm handles personal injury and workers' compensation cases, as well as denied Social Security Disability claims and employment law matters. If you need someone to fight for fairness for you, contact me today.

Jefferson Fink, the founder of The Law Office of Jefferson Fink, is a legal professional with years of experience in the Capitol and in front of the Courts. His academic experience started as a Senate Page, then later at Iowa State as a Senate intern, which allowed him to gain valuable insight into the legislative process. Jefferson's dedication to his education is evident in his simultaneous pursuit of a Master of Arts in Political Science from Iowa State University, writing his thesis - Law, Politics, and the Creation of Public Policy: How the Two Can Come Together and Create Better...

I am passionate about business and technology risk. I have worked with small "shop around the corner" companies and multi-national Fortune 500 companies. Contact me if you are starting or growing your business and need assistance assessing or understanding your risk and creating a plan to move forward with confidence. I have a particularly strong technology background focused on software development, Internet businesses, electrical engineering, and telecommunications. I'm sometimes known as "the Geekiest Lawyer in Iowa."

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....

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...

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...

I joined Hupy and Abraham in 2015 as an Associate Attorney. I became a shareholder in 2020. Prior to joining the firm, I spent four years as an insurance defense trial lawyer and have experience in Domestic Relations, Employment and Family Law. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, practicing yoga and running half-marathons.

George A. LaMarca's practice includes Personal Injury Law, Business Litigation, and Professional Malpractice. He has handled some of Iowa's largest personal injury cases and some of the state's most complex business litigation cases. He is board certified in civil trials by the National Board of Trial Advocates. He is also board certified in medical malpractice litigation by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. He is a member of the American College of Board Certified Attorneys. Mr. LaMarca was named the Best Lawyers 2016 Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs "Lawyer of the Year" in the Des Moines metropolitan area....

Let me welcome you to my profile page. Contact West Des Moines personal injury lawyer, Stephen D. Lombardi who has practiced civil trial litigation (personal injury lawyer-litigator, accidents, construction site injuries that include injuries resulting in death, along with workers’ compensation cases, for over 43 years. We practice law in Iowa. Call us for a free consultation about your personal injury claim. Injuries caused by car, truck, pedestrian, single-car, drunk driving, skiing, sports, abuse of power by government officials, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, criminal acts, high-speed chases, wrongful deaths, motorcycles, work injuries, catastrophic injuries, brain damage, paraplegia,...

Harley has spent his law career exclusively handling civil litigation matters. He founded Erbe Law Firm in July 2005. Harley represents individuals and small businesses in car accident, personal injury law, employment law, contract law, insurance law, and construction defect cases in Iowa and nationwide. He has argued and tried jury and nonjury cases in Iowa state and federal court. Harley has also argued before the United States Court of Appeals, the Iowa Supreme Court, and the Iowa Court of Appeals. He is a member of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers. Membership in the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers...

Attorney George B. Jones is the founder and owner of the The Law Office of George B. Jones, PLLC, in Lamoni, Iowa. A top-rated, award-winning trial lawyer with more than 35 years of legal experience, Mr. Jones devotes his practice primarily to personal injury, including car wrecks, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, work injuries, medical negligence, wrongful death, slip and fall, and other injury cases. During his extensive career he has tried hundreds of cases, and taught law courses at Graceland University, and trained prosecutors, judges and attorneys in trial practice techniques. No matter the issues his clients are facing or how...

C. Eric Bodo grew up in Mundelein, Illinois, and attended Carmel High School in the northern suburbs. Eric graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts. He went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago in 1996 and was admitted to the Illinois Bar.

Before coming to VanDerGinst Law, Eric was a partner in his own firm with offices in Chicago and Northbrook, Illinois where he represented seriously injured individuals and their families. Before starting his firm in 2014, Eric worked for a large, high-volume personal injury firm...

I primarily handle workers' compensation, personal injury, medical malpractice and legal malpractice claims (plaintiff only) and have been doing so since 1991 (B.S., University of Iowa, 1988; J.D., Drake Law, 1991).

I have been serving on the IAJ BOG from November, 2016 to date. I previously served on the Urbandale Little League board of directors for approximately ten years and have been a member of the YMCA's "President's Club" for approximately the past twelve years as well as a participant in its annual "Partner With Youth" campaign.

Prior to founding Buchheit Law (June, 2013), Lindsey worked as an attorney for two Sioux City law firms from 2007-2013. Lindsey is the President of the Siouxland Estate Planning Council, Secretary of the Sergeant Bluff Community Development Corporation; Secretary of the Center For Siouxland; and a board member of the Iowa Small Business Development Centers. Lindsey is a Martindale Hubbell BV Distinguished attorney and is licensed in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Lindsey's practice includes but is not limited to estate planning and probate; family law; business and creditor law.

Allison’s practice focuses on criminal defense, criminal defense for immigrants, criminal appeals, family-based immigration, removal defense, immigration benefits for victims of domestic violence and other crimes (Violence Against Women Act and U-visa), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), immigration benefits for juveniles (Special Immigrant Juvenile visas and related guardianships), immigration appeals, and family law cases. Allison is proficient in Spanish, and many of her clients are Spanish-speaking only. Allison is also currently a Clinical Teaching Fellow at Drake University Law School’s Refugee Legal Clinic.

Allison McCarthy is a May 2007 graduate of the University of Iowa. During her undergraduate...

Jeana Goosmann acts as general counsel to company presidents and professionals. Her clients range from small local companies to large national corporations. Jeana's general practice includes but is not limited to banking, bankruptcy, commercial law, collections, communications law, contracts, corporate law, debtor and creditor, employment, personal injury, health care, litigation, real estate, and wills, trusts, estate planning & probate law. Jeana's employment includes Goosmann Law Firm, Founder, 2009 - Present and Heidman Law Firm, Partner, 2002 - 2009. LICENSED IN: Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota.

I joined Hupy and Abraham in 2019 as an Associate Attorney to help injured clients. Before joining the firm, I practiced in family law, contract law, corporate law and more.

My practice primarily deals with estate planning, tax, and corporate formation/governance, though my law firm can help with almost any business need you may have.

I typically deal with individuals, families, and small business owners to (a) protect and arrange themselves during life, (b) provide guidance to loved ones upon their passing, especially for minor children, and (c) transition businesses and wealth from one generation to the next in an organized and tax-efficient manner.

Originally from Fort Dodge, Iowa (north central Iowa), my practice takes me all across the state of Iowa. I'm proud that my family has been providing...

Clarissa Rietveld was born in Iowa and raised in Rushville, Indiana. She received her Associate’s Degree in Nursing in 2009 and worked as a registered nurse in operating rooms across the Midwest and on the East Coast. While working as a nurse, Ms. Rietveld had a patient whose medical history documented that he did not have regular access to food and was starving. Ms. Rietveld spent the afternoon working with hospital social services to arrange for her patient to gain access to regular meals and was shocked to learn that he didn’t qualify for any of the available programs. She...

Athena Farmakis was born and raised in the Chicagoland area, graduated with a B.A. from Northwestern University, and received her law degree from DePaul University College of law. With over 25 years of litigation experience, Athena has tried 67 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials in complex and media-sensitive cases. Athena currently practices in all areas of personal injury including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, product liability, construction accidents, animal attacks, negligent security, wrongful death, nursing home abuse and medical malpractice.

As a former prosecutor, Athena dedicated much of her legal career to serving the public for over 20 years...

Marc Humphrey founded his own law firm in the fall of 1980. Marc has dedicated his entire career to serving others. Humphrey Law Firm, P.C., provides quality legal representation for those who have been wronged. Marc handles a range of civil practice areas, including personal injury, employment disputes, including sexual harassment and retaliation, consumer protection and medical negligence.