Forest City Lawyers

Born and raised in southern Iowa, the son of a farmer and a teacher, I am passionate about helping those who need it most with their legal needs. The tightknit, blue collar community where I grew up instilled the values of hard work and loyalty into me at a young age, and I carry these values with me wherever I go. I am an Associate Attorney at Balduchi Law Office, P.C., in Des Moines, Iowa, where I primarily focus in the areas of family law and criminal defense, but also handle probate, personal injury, and basic business entity-structuring matters....

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

Nebraska and Iowa Civil and Family Law trial lawyer who primarily handles cases in Northeast Nebraska and Northwest Iowa, Sioux City, and surrounding areas. Advocates for parents seeking to preserve access to their children and parental rights, and for those seeking a fair resolution to their domestic and general litigation matters. Janell is a local attorney and relentless advocate for clients, with litigation experience in both Iowa and Nebraska.

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...

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'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.

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."

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...

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...

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...

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 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....

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

Recognition for Pro Bono Service Supreme Court of Iowa 2015 President's Award Iowa State Bar Association 2013 Pro Bono Award-Representation Iowa State Bar Association 2013 Pro Bono Award-Mediation Iowa State Bar Association 2013 Iowa Supreme Court Probono Service Award Iowa Supreme Court 2010

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...

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....

Mr. Rehkemper was selected to Super Lawyers 2013, and has repeatedly been named Avvo’s Client Choice and Top Attorney for DUI defense with a Superb rating of 10.0 out of a possible 10.0. Mr. Rehkemper is the State of Iowa Delegate for the National College of DUI Defense and is also a Board Member for the Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Criminal Defense Core Group for the Iowa Association for Justice. A frequent speaker at attorney education seminars, Mr. Rehkemper has distinguished himself as a premier defense attorney in the State of Iowa for drunk driving...

For many years, Ward (Sam) Rouse has represented people who have been injured in some way, whether through damage to their health, property, financial situation, or reputation. If you have been wrongfully deprived of a right, health, property, or even your good reputation, Mr. Rouse can help. Even if your opponent is a huge entity - the government, a major corporation, or an insurance company, Mr. Rouse can level the playing field.

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...

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...

I am a Social Security lawyer and family law mediator. I specialize in Social Security disability and Veterans disability cases. I am a member of the Dubuque County Bar Association and the Iowa State Bar Association.

I am an Iowa native. I was born and raised in Farnhamville, Iowa. I attended the University of Northern Iowa where I graduated magna cum laude and received a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology with a minor in Chemistry. I received a Juris Doctor degree from Creighton University School of Law. I also received a Certificate of Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Werner Institute....

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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, ...