What Are the Best Law Firms in Iowa? | The Odyssey Online
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What Are the Best Law Firms in Iowa?

Find top legal expertise in Iowa. Discover key factors to consider when choosing the best law firm for your needs and legal challenges.

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What Are the Best Law Firms in Iowa?

If you need an attorney, you’re probably wondering what are the best law firms in Iowa. The answer depends on what lawyer specialization you need. To choose the best option, look at the areas of expertise and then explore the firm's culture. Once you know their practice areas, look at how much experience they have and if they've tried similar cases. Here are the top legal offices and concentrations.

1. Whitfield & Eddy Law

Phone: (503) 368-7975

Allen Whitfield and Joseph H. Allen founded the firm in 1928. In the beginning, they had a single secretary between them. Today, Whitfield & Eddy Law is one of the largest law firms in Iowa. Various organizations have recognized the practice. They are listed as Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business and received the Corporate INTL Global Award.

With around 41 attorneys, they offer locations in Des Moines and Mount Pleasant. Whitfield & Eddy Law focuses on anticipating client needs to make the legal process smooth and allow their clients to focus on things like running a business.

The firm has a strong commitment to sustainability by recycling plastic and paper, using energy-efficient lighting and paying for mass transit transportation for employees.

Legal Specializations

Business and Commerce

Construction Business .and Litigation

Divorce and Family Law

Estates, Wills and Trust

Labor and Employment Law

Financial Services

Municipal

Litigation

Real Estate

Transportation

2. Ben Lynch Law Office

Phone: (515) 276-3921

If you’re looking for a personal approach, you’ll appreciate Ben Lynch Law Office as an option. Des Moines citizens voted the firm for a People's Choice award. Although many firms provide an initial meeting at no charge, they also offer a free consultation about legal services.

Ben Lynch graduated from Drake Law School with honors. Past clients point to the honesty and ethics of the firm. Located in Clive Iowa, Mr. Lynch has served hundreds of clients and won them millions of dollars.

Legal Specializations

Family Law

Employment Law

Personal Injury

Criminal Law

Civil Rights


3. RSH Legal

Phone: (319) 220-3238

Specializing in personal injury law, the RSH Legal team has experience handling tough cases involving negligence. The firm offers a no-cost phone call to better understand the details of your case. They list 18 different attorneys on their website, each with excellent credentials. They have locations in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Dubuque

The company has some professional credentials and memberships like International Society of Barristers, board certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy and has been named to a Super Lawyers list.

Legal Specializations

Car Accidents

Workers’ Compensation

Nursing Home Injuries

Medical Malpractice

Wrongful Death

Truck Accidents

Employment Law

Social Security

Bike Accidents

Brain Injuries

4. Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.

Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. has been around for 135 years, working with municipalities and educational institutions. They also work with private businesses in Des Moines, Iowa. Their attorneys often have served under judicial courtships, helping them understand the local court systems while gaining experience. They have a single office located near the Polk County Courthouse and federal county and city offices.

The practice has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rank possible. It also has been ranked excellent by Great Plains Super Lawyers, Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America.

The firm encourages its attorneys to get involved in different organizations to give back to the legal community.

Legal Specializations

Education Law

Government Law

Private and Public Business

Trusts, Estates and Taxation

Workers’ Compensation

Real Estate and Environmental

Employment and Labor Law

Employee Benefits

Procurement/Contracting

Construction Law

5. Nyemaster Goode

Phone: (319) 286-7000 (Cedar Rapids)

Phone: (515) 283-3100 (Des Moines)

Phone: (515) 956-3900 (Ames)

With offices in Ames, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Nyemaster Goode focuses on client priorities, such as providing fast and accurate legal services. They serve companies of all sizes and individuals.

One of the biggest firms in Iowa, they have attorneys who have clerked for state and federal judges, are certified public accountants or graduated Order of the Coif. More than 73 of the firm's associates graduated law school with honors.

J.L. Parrish, Sr. and M.H. Cohen established the original firm in 1918 as Parrish & Cohen. In 1935, Ray Nyemaster joined the partnership and eventually more attorneys came on board and the brand name shifted.

Legal Specializations

Business

Finance

Real Estate

Government Affairs

Intellectual Property

Labor and Employment

Litigation

Tax and Estate Planning

Employee Benefits


6. Hopkins & Huebner, P.C.

Phone: (877) 275-2889

For those who want a more personalized approach from a smaller firm, Hopkins & Huebner, P.C. offers quality advice and has experience in state and federal courts. They have locations in Quad Cities, Adel and Des Moines.

Hopkins & Huebner, P.C. started in the 1940s and today has offices in Davenport, Adel and Des Moines, Iowa. They were named to the U.S. News Best Law Firms 2025 list for having the best lawyers. They're also recognized by Best Lawyers. With around 25 attorneys on staff, it isn’t surprising they offer a number of legal areas for clients.

Legal Specializations

Business and Corporate

Employment and Human Resources

Liability and Insurance Defense

Mediation Services

Municipal and Government

Personal and Work Injuries

Racing and Gaming

Real Estate, Property and Land Rights

Wills, Trusts, Probate and Estate Planning

Workers’ Compensation

7. BrownWinick Law

Phone: (888) 282-3515

BrownWinick Law works with businesses in high-specialized areas. They opened in 1951 as a tax-law firm. The firm grew during the last 70 years and today offers legal services to small and large businesses. BrownWinick has offices in Des Moines, Coralville and Marshalltown, Iowa.

The firm is a member of TerraLex, which gives them connections globally to serve various legal needs. With around 90 attorneys on staff, BrowWinick is one of the largest firms on this list. The attorneys participate in community events like an annual volunteer day and hosting a veterans day where they offer free basic wills and powers of attorney to American veterans.

Legal Specializations

Business Transactions

Intellectual Property

Estate Planning

Government and Regulatory

Litigation

Real Estate

Construction

Environmental Law

Employment and Labor


8. Finley Law Firm

Phone: (515) 288-0145

Finley Law Firm has offices in the Hub Tower in downtown Des Moines. Finley Law Firm celebrated 100 years in May, 2024. In 1924, two law partnerships merged to create the company. The firm serves Iowa businesses and health care providers.

Their news page is filled with news of dismissed cases of malpractice and medical malfeasance. The firm's attorneys have some impressive credentials, including Erik Bergeland being elected to be the 2024 president of the Iowa Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and their attorneys being recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2025 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. The firm was also given the okay by Chambers USA.

Legal Specializations

Business and Corporate

Intellectual Property

Real Estate

Civil Litigation and Trial

Appellate Practice

Labor and Employment

Health Care

Mediation Services

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Insurance

Workers’ Compensation


9. Babich Sarcone

Phone: (515) 522-8460

Babich Sarcone offers trial-tested attorneys for family law and criminal defense. Leslie Babich established Babich Goldman in 1977 and Nicholas Sarcone has over 15 years in the criminal defense field, turning into Babich Sarcone when the two merged.

Babich and Sarcone attorneys achieved an AV peer-review rating through Matrindale-Hubbell and have board certification in mediation. Their office is located in Des Moines but they serve all surrounding communities.

The list of locations served on the website include Ames, Ankeny, Fort Dodge, Mason City, Sioux City and Urbandale.

Legal Specializations

Divorce and Child Custody

Child Support

Prenuptials

Adoption

Criminal Expungements

Weapons Charges

Domestic Violence

OWI/Drunk Driving

White Collar Crimes

Mediation Services

10. Carney Appleby Law

Phone: (515) 282-6803

James W. Carney founded Carney Appleby Law in 1975 after graduating from Drake Law School and passing the bar. He started in general law but today the firm specializes in lobbying and personal injury practices. He works closely with legislative clients. In 1990 George W. Appleby joined the firm, adding criminal defense and litigation to the offerings.

Today, two more partners are part of the firm and bring their own areas of practice to the company. All partners were born in Iowa and work in the Locust Street office in Des Moines.

Legal Specializations

Lobbying

Government Affairs

Personal Injury

Medical Malpractice

Civil Litigation

Real Estate

Business

Estate Planning and Probate

Family Law

Criminal Defense

11. Grefe & Sidney, P.L.C.

Phone: (515) 245-4300

Founded in 1971, Grefe & Sidney, P.L.C. has offices in Des Moines and Pella and a team of around 13 distinguished attorneys. The firm is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell, Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers and the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Located in Des Moines, their clients talk about fair pricing and professional attitudes. Each attorney specializes in different areas. Their News page outlines what successful outcomes they’ve had recently in areas like personal injury.

Legal Specializations

Appellate

Business

Estate Planning and Probate

Insurance Coverage and Defense

Labor and Employment

Medical Professionals

Real Estate

Tax Law

Trial and Litigation

White Collar Criminal Defense

Workers’ Compensation


12. Drew Law Firm

Phone: (515) 323-5640

Tom Drew grew up watching his father practice law for nearly five decades. In addition to running his legal practice, Drew flies airplanes and plays a bass guitar. Rather than getting lost in the shuffle of a big firm, you'll get one-on-one attention with the single lawyer firm dubbed Drew Law Firm.

Amongst his honors, Tom Drew served as president of Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, on the Iowa Chapter American Board of Trial Advocates and several other appointments in the industry.

He's been named in the Top 25 for Workers' Compensation Trial Lawyers and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

He's been named in the Top 25 for Workers' Compensation Trial Lawyers and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Legal Specializations

Personal Injury

Catastrophic Accidents

Workers’ Compensation

Construction Accidents

13. Lane & Waterman LLP

Phone: (563) 324-3246

With offices in Davenport and Moline, Illinois, Lane & Waterman LLP has been around for 160 years. It's known as one of the oldest law practices west of the Mississippi. In 1854 A. Abner Davison and David S. True opened a partnership. By 1902, the name changed to Lane & Waterman when an Iowa Supreme Court judge joined the firm. They've been in the same building since 1928 and offer services to Quad Cities.

Home to around 33 different attorneys, they cover a broad range of legal matters for clients. Their lawyers are listed in 2024 Great Plains Super Lawyers and Great Plains Rising Stars.

Legal Specializations

Corporate and Transactional Law

Criminal

Regulatory

Intellectual Property

Labor and Employment

Litigation

Appeals

Mergers and Acquisitions

Municipalities

Wealth and Succession Planning

14. Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C.

Phone: (319) 419-4279

Founded in 1958, Ball, Kirk & Holm P.C. offers personal injury and family law services to Iowa City residents. They have the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, earning the confidence of judges and lawyers for their abilities and ethics. Their offices are on the south side of Waterloo. Their eight attorneys bring a wide range of legal areas to meet all your needs.

They offer 24/7 phone consultations for their clients. They have recognition from Iowa Association of Mediators Super Lawyers, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals Iowa Academy of Trail Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers for Top 40 Under 40.

Legal Specializations

Personal Injury

Medical Malpractice

Workers’ Compensation

Class Action

Family Law

Estate Planning

Divorce

Legal Malpractice

Motorcycle Accident

Catastrophic Injury

Truck Accident


15. Danilson Law

Phone: Book a “Discovery Call” on their website to get in touch

Danilson Law is fairly new in the scheme of Iowa law firms, founded in 2015. However, their decade of work has a focus in real estate, helping clients simplify the buying and selling process. Sara and Jeremy Danilson opened the practice. Today, they've added another three staff members to handle paralegal tasks and attorney work.

The team looks through titles and clarifies property ownership and potential issues like liens or judgments. The firm also offers a remote online notary service, something other firms are just getting on board with.

Legal Specializations

Title Research

Closings

Residential Purchase Agreements

Hassle-Free Real Estate Transactions

What’s Next in Finding the Best Law Firms in Iowa?

Once you’ve narrowed your list of potential lawyers to hire, take the time to meet with each attorney and ask questions about how they’ll handle your case and if they’ve successfully tried similar ones.

What are the best law firms in Iowa? Each law firm has its areas of expertise. Figuring out which one can walk alongside you and give you the best chances of winning your case is key to a successful journey. The best law firm is the one you feel comfortable with and that addresses your needs as a client.

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