Benton County Lawyers

CHRISTINE L. CRILLEY is a General Practice Attorney and Collaborative Lawyer with over thirty years of experience in a variety of legal areas such as family law, adoptions, business law, litigation, construction law, probate and wills.

In Addition to her law practice Ms. Crilley is also an accomplished Mediator and Arbitrator as well as a nationally approved Mediation Trainer. She offers basic Mediation training and advance Mediation training as well as Collaborative Law Training, and Parent Coordinator Training. Christine is also a Parenting Coordinator and Parent Coach.

After earning her B.A. degree at the University of Northern Iowa in 1979, Christine...

I have been representing clients throughout Iowa for over 30 years. My practice includes office work and litigation. My law practice includes representing clients in state and federal courts throughout Iowa. I specialize in criminal defense. Being convicted of a felony, drunk driving charge, a drug crime or a white-collar crime has a severe impact on employment and educational opportunities. During the first half of my career I practiced almost exclusively in civil law and I continue to have an active civil law practice.

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.

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...

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...

Gunda J. Brost is a U.S. immigration attorney ("lawyer") from Oldenburg, North Germany. Ms. Brost holds a J.D. from Hamline Mitchell University School of Law (2006) and holds a license to practice law in Iowa (2007). Ms. Brost has represented clients from all over the world in various different immigration-related matters and has a special interest in asylum law, waivers and getting complex cases unstuck. Ms. Brost is fluent in French, German and Spanish.

Mark Thompson practices criminal defense law in Iowa City and the surrounding areas in Eastern Iowa. He has been operating his own firm, practicing in criminal law, since 2005. He has represented clients in over 2,000 criminal cases, with a majority of these cases being OWI / DUI. Mark has also handled contract defense cases for the Iowa State Public Defender, served as defense counsel for the Johnson County Drug Treatment Court, and served as a Judicial Magistrate. Now he focuses solely on his private criminal law practice.

Craig Nierman mediates and arbitrates complex insurance, tort, and healthcare claims. His quarter-century of litigation experience includes representing plaintiffs and defendants—including hospitals, individuals and families, insurers, domestic and international businesses, as well as government entities—in jury trials, appeals, and arbitrations. His insurance experience includes: First party claims; Third party cases; Extracontractual damages; Agent/broker errors and omissions; ERISA; Subrogation; and Carrier/producer disputes. His health law practice has involved complex reimbursement and revenue cycle issues (e.g., experimental, medical necessity, and exclusion questions), medical malpractice and devices, primary and secondary payor conflicts, provider contracts, and HIPAA compliance. He previously taught Insurance Law as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Iowa College of Law....

We do the heavy lifting so our clients don't have to in Family Law, Commercial Collections, and Tax Law cases.

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...

I have been a practicing patent attorney for over 15 years with a background in physics and engineering. I run my own firm Patwrite Law that specializes in working with private inventors and small businesses. I taught high school physics for many years before going to law school I build and fly RC airplanes for fun.

My name is Pressley and I am a trial lawyer. The only thing I am before that is a father of my two sons. I have worked hard to live authentically in all aspects of my life. I always try to grow and learn. This has been true in my lawyering as well as my personal life – they are, in many ways, one in the same – because I am who I am, whether at home, meeting with clients, or in the courtroom.

My name is Scott Shoemaker, and I am your Personal Family Lawyer. I grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My youth and young adulthood were spent pursuing my dream of becoming a classical musician. I went so far as to earn degrees in music from Coe College, University of Nebraska, and the University of Iowa. I even spent a few years teaching at a couple of different institutions of high education. Along the way, I realized my real passion was helping other people bring about their dreams. So I ended up in law school. While I was a student at Nebraska Law,...

William was born and raised in Northeast Iowa in the town of New Hampton. He has followed both his father’s and his brother’s lead, receiving a degree in both accounting and law. While in law school he participated in many groups and was fortunate enough to be the Treasurer of the Student Bar Association and the Managing Editor of the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law.

William practices out of the Marion office of Pearson Bollman Law. His practice focuses on estate planning, elder law, probate/trust administration, and taxation.

Growing up I learned how to serve client interests from my father and grandfather, who are both attorneys in northeast Iowa. They taught me to take a hands-on approach to learning and to work hard to understand the underlying causes of a conflict, not just address the immediate problem. I applied that philosophy throughout my academic and professional education by learning the construction industry beginning as a carpenter and then architectural intern at OPN Architects, SOM, and Kahler Slater Architects. After I earned my Bachelors of Architecture from Iowa State University and my Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa,...

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....

It's easier to present your side in court when you have someone who is experienced next to you. Gary Kucera is on your side and his mission is to seek justice for those who have been injured, wronged or wrongly accused. With more than 30 years of experience in hundreds of cases, he can help you achieve the results you deserve.

I grew up in Strawberry Point where my family still resides. Since graduating from the University Of Iowa College Of Law in 2007 I have worked in Waterloo, where I have also become involved in my church and local bar association. While I practice in the areas of child custody and dissolution of marriage, I also understand that persons with children are connected as a family. I therefore strive to work through these family issues with the long-term in mind. I continue to practice primarily in family law.

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 total 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 as a criminal defense attorney, he has represented clients in serious felonies in four states, taught criminal law courses at Graceland University, and trained prosecutors, judges and defense attorneys in criminal...

Notice to Prospective Clients: Please don't cold call me without an appointment to inquire about your legal matter. Please first visit my website, http://www.kohnlawoffices.com and if you're interested in my services as described there for a California or Iowa legal matter, please schedule a prospective client phone consult.

I'm a California and Iowa licensed attorney with a very diverse, yet practical, skill set and range of expertise, which allows me to take a cross-functional and interdisciplinary approach to all services I render. From Data Science, Game Theory, and Statistical Risk Management Guided Decision Sciences, to Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)-enhanced communication and...

Jessica Malott is the owner and managing partner of Malott Law, PLC, and practices primarily in immigration. Jessica earned her Juris Doctor, with honors, in 2006 from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa. During law school, she worked as an intern at the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) and was Editor-in-Chief of the Drake Law Review. Since graduating, Jessica has worked as a law clerk, federal government attorney, law school career advisor, and private practice attorney.

In her current practice, she focuses primarily on removal defense in Immigration Court and family-based immigration; however, she also takes an assortment...

I am a Waterloo, Iowa native practicing exclusively in family law. I received my BA from the University of Iowa in 2010 where I majored in English and graduated with honors. In 2014, I graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law and was admitted to practice in Iowa in September. In March of 2016, I joined Arenson Law Group, PC where I focus on areas of child custody and dissolution of marriage. Prior to joining Arenson, I practiced family law and criminal defense at another Cedar Rapids firm. I am currently a member of the...

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.

Hometown: Deerfield, IL
Education: Indiana University, B.A., 2010
De Paul University, J.D., 2015
Admitted to Iowa Bar 2015
Areas of Practice:
Civil: Dissolution of Marriage/Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Name Change
Criminal: OWI/DUI, DOT matters, Juvenile, Possession Controlled Substance, General Criminal Defense
Appellate: Criminal and Civil
Associations:
Iowa Bar Association, 2015 to present
Linn County Bar Association, 2016 to present
NACDA Top 10 under 40 Criminal Law 2017



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Tom was born and raised in Iowa City. He received his BA degree from Harvard University in 1975 and then returned home to attend the University of Iowa College of Law. After completing law school in 1978, Tom joined the law firm where he has been a partner since 1983. Tom represents individuals, businesses and tax-exempt organizations on a variety of legal matters principally in areas of business and transactional law, including contracts, real estate, business and non-profit entities, estate and gift planning, administration of trusts and estates, healthcare, and charitable foundations. In addition to his legal practice, Tom has...

Thomas D. S. Farnsworth was born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa. Thomas received a Bachelor of Business Administration, in Finance, from the University of Iowa and the Henry B. Tippie College of Business. During Thomas' undergraduate experience he clerked at a local law firm and worked as a pretrial interviewer for the Sixth Judicial District of Iowa. In 2004 Thomas began the accelerated program in at the University of Iowa College of Law and graduated in December of 2006. While in law school Thomas was licensed by the Iowa Supreme Court to work as a prosecuting legal intern. Thomas...

At Arenson Law Group, PC, you will find forward-thinking, progressive, and open attorneys who work hard with your best interests in mind. At our law firm you will find modern art, sleek brushed aluminum, and lots of light, unlike the traditional law office. Arenson Law Group, PC attorneys handle cases throughout Iowa and focus on practices such as: Business Law, Corporate Law, Family Law, Criminal Law, and Bankruptcy.

As a licensed attorney in both Iowa and California, Adam Pollack has been practicing law since 1998. As a former prosecutor for Johnson County (Iowa City area), Adam Pollack has an experienced and nuanced view regarding the complexities of the criminal justice system. Pollack has practiced criminal defense in Iowa for over a decade.

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

Pope grew up in Iowa City and, after attending college at Wesleyan University in Connecticut and working in the technology industry in San Francisco, California, returned to Iowa to pursue a career in law. After graduating with his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2003, he started his legal practice at Phelan Tucker Law Offices, where he continues his successful litigation practice. He primarily practices in the field of medical malpractice defense, health care law and represents the interests of healthcare professionals. He is admitted to practice in the State of Iowa and is a...

Carolyn (“Dazi”) Russell Wallace was born and raised in Iowa City. She left to attend college in North Carolina, returned to Iowa City for law school, and began practicing at the firm in October 2013.

Carolyn maintains a general law practice that includes both transactional and litigation components. On the transactional side, Carolyn assists clients with estate planning, real estate matters, reviewing and negotiating contracts, and other general transactional issues. Carolyn’s litigation practice focuses on defending physicians in medical malpractice cases. Carolyn particularly enjoys legal research and writing, and she routinely assists clients with appellate matters.

In her free time, Carolyn likes...

Mark Chipokas brings more than 25 years of experience helping injured parties maximize the amount they recover, whether that is through a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit. As your workers’ comp attorney, he will take special care of your case to ensure you get the most benefits possible.

Mark represents injured people throughout eastern Iowa from his office in Cedar Rapids. The office is located in the heart of the Cedar Rapids’ Medical Corridor.

Schedule a free initial consultation by calling 319-423-8011 or completing the online contact form at www.mlchipokaspc.com/contact/. Mark can review the facts of your case and...

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...

Jennifer Meyer was raised in Primghar, Iowa and graduated from South O'Brien High School. She then attended the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and graduated with honors with a major in Finance and minors in Business Communications and Coaching in 1999. She also was a full scholarship basketball player for UNI. During her undergraduate studies, she interned with the Black Hawk County Attorney's office working with their Witness and Victim's Assistance Division. After graduating from UNI, she then earned her Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School and was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 2002. While attending law school,...

Raphael (Ray) Scheetz founded the Law Offices of Raphael M. Scheetz in 1994 to focus his attention on the practice of criminal defense and immigration cases. Mr. Scheetz has successfully represented hundreds of clients. The cases included persons who want to apply to become American citizens, and American citizens who want to petition for their spouse, fiancée, children, parents, or brothers or sisters that live outside of the United States. Mr. Scheetz has also successfully represented hundreds of persons accused of Federal and State criminal offenses. He has been lead defense counsel in approximately ninety jury trials in State...

As a partner with Johnston, Stannard, Klesner, Burbidge & Fitzgerald, PLC in Iowa City, IA, Shawn provides legal services for criminal defense, personal injury, civil litigation, business law, and estate planning. Shawn received his B.S. degree in psychology from the University of Iowa in 2002 and his J.D. from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL in 2005.

Prior to joining Johnston, Stannard, Klesner, Burbidge & Fitzgerald, PLC, Shawn practiced with the law firm of David Goldstein and Associates, LLC in Chicago, IL. While attending John Marshall Law School, Shawn clerked for the law firm of Daley and George, Ltd.
Shawn...

Dean grew up on a grain and livestock farm near Iowa City, passed the Certified Public Accountant exam, and focuses on pre-death estate planning and post-death trust/estate administration. His practice includes (i) establishing revocable (living) trusts to avoid probate and facilitate privacy, (ii) creating wills, trusts and retirement-account beneficiary designations with customized provisions to accomplish family-specific goals, such as delaying inheritances for immature beneficiaries, (iii) implementing powers of attorney for finances and for healthcare/medical directives (living wills), and (iv) administering probate estates and trusts and filing the necessary tax returns.