Polk County Lawyers

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...

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...

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....

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...

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.

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...

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 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...

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.

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.

Melvin O. Shaw is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law (2004). He has a Master’s in journalism from the UI, and a B.S. in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Melvin has been a solo practitioner since he opened his law firm in 2006. Melvin will serve a one-year term as president of the Iowa State Bar Association starting June 2024. He is Chair of the Iowa Judicial Qualifications Commission and has served on the JQC since 2018. Melvin was appointed to the Lawyers Trust Account Commission 2024-2027 under an order of...

Lindsey obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2007. Prior to law school, Lindsey earned her bachelor’s degree in 2004 from the University of Nebraska Wesleyan, graduating with High Distinction on an accelerated three-year program, and played basketball and ran track. Lindsey worked in private practice in the Siouxland area before establishing Buchheit Law, PLC in 2013. After more than a decade as a solo practitioner, Lindsey joined forces with her law partner, John C. “Jack” Ehrich, and established Buchheit & Ehrich Law, PLC on January 1, 2025. Lindsey is licensed to practice law in...

I chose to practice law because I find fulfillment in the day-to-day tasks of representing individuals who require legal assistance. My passion lies in positively impacting my clients' lives by effectively asserting their positions and seeking justice for them. I achieve this by being accessible, possessing the necessary resources to develop and advance a case, offering wise counsel, and fervently advocating for a position when required. Witnessing my clients achieve significant outcomes is deeply gratifying.

Bill Gullberg is an experienced litigator in a range of legal matters. In addition to being licensed to practice law in Illinois, Bill is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, the federal district bar of the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois, and the federal trial bar of the Northern District of Illinois. The difference Bill brings to the case is a passion for representing the rights, freedom, and property of his clients. Experience and professionalism is one thing - experience and professionalism with a true passion and focus for achieving a just and...

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, ...

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....

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.

DWI Detection & Standard Field Sobriety Testing Instructor - 32 hour course recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration DWI Detection & Standard Field Sobriety Testing (2013 Curriculum) - 24 hour course recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DWI Detection & Standard Field Sobriety Testing Refresher (2015 Curriculum) - 8 hour refresher course recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DWI Detection & Standard Field Sobriety Testing (2015 Curriculum) - Co-Instructed the 24 hour course recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) - 16 hour course recognized by...

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,...

Partner at Cray Law Firm.

I am a partner at Simpson Legal Group, LLC. I was a lawyer in Minnesota prior to practicing in Iowa. I I completed the Comprehensive Divorce & Family Mediation from Crilley Mediation Services to become a mediator in my community. My education started at Minnesota State University in Mankato, MN where I received my Bachelor of Science and graduated Summa Cum Laude. In 2006, I graduated from Hamline University School of Law with my Juris Doctorate. I am a member of the Iowa State Bar Association. I was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 2013.

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

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....

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,...

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...

Jacob attended Drake University School of Law, obtaining his Juris Doctorate in May 2023. While in law school, his extracurriculars included serving as the Vice President for the St. Jude Club, the Treasurer for the Drake Outdoor Leadership Club, the Philanthropy Chair for Sigma Phi Epsilon, and as a volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Before pursuing his law degree, Jacob earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Business Management from Drake University in May 2019. Jacob is currently licensed to practice law in the state of Iowa. Prior to joining the Cedar Rapids, Iowa divorce and family law...

All I have done for 26 years has been Criminal Defense cases. I’ve got my Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Law Degree, and I have been working on my Master’s Degree. With me my clients get 24 hour access to me via phone, email, and text. I have a secretary but I still do all my own work. I take fewer cases so I can spend more time on my cases. I will fight for you to help you get your life together. I’m a lawyer that you can trust. Look at my reviews on Google.

Attorney David A. Mahl is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of his clients. As a lawyer practicing in personal injury law, Mr. Mahl works daily on behalf of clients who are often facing some of the most difficult times of their lives.

David A. Mahl understands that the outcome of your case will likely have a significant impact on you and your family. When he chooses to take a case, he does so with an understanding of what is at stake and with a deep sense of commitment to the client he serves.
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DAVID PILLERS is a partner in the law firm of Pillers and Richmond. He received his major in Economics and minor in Business from Valparaiso University, graduating in 1992, and received his law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law, graduating in 1998. Mr. Pillers maintains a general practice but concentrates his practice in the areas of Civil Litigation, Collective Bargaining, Business and Corporate Law, Municipal Law, Real Estate and Estate Planning. He is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association (Member of the Probate and Real Estate Section), Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association (Section Member: Motor...