Doyle D. Sanders
Suite 3700
Des Moines, IA 50309-8004
Practice Areas
Education & Background
Drake University (B.A., 1969, M.B.A., 1972)
Drake University Law School (J.D., with honors, 1972)
Background
Doyle Sanders understands legacy. He counsels clients who, over a lifetime, have worked and saved and prospered. Doyle’s clients are now concerned about what is next for themselves and their families. The trust developed between an estate attorney and a client is unique because it often involves generations.
Doyle is a member of Dickinson Bradshaw's business & corporate division, practicing primarily in the area of wills, trusts, estate planning and probate. He has counseled clients for more than 50 years.
A native of Vinton, Iowa, Doyle earned his undergraduate degree, MBA, and law degree (J.D., with honors, 1972) from Drake University. He served a four-year stint in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps. Great Plains Super Lawyers has recognized Doyle since 2009. He has earned the rare distinction of being elected a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). He has also served as chair of the Probate Section of the Iowa Bar Association and has helped draft numerous changes to the Iowa probate and trust codes.
Honors & Awards
Chambers
- Selected for inclusion in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business as a leader in the area of Private Wealth Law in the state of Iowa. Doyle has drawn the following published commentary from the editors of Chambers High Net Worth Guide:
- 2024: "Doyle is very good at the details."
Super Lawyers
- Selected as a Great Plains Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters in the area of Estate Planning & Probate Law.
Martindale-Hubbell
-
AV Preeminent Peer Review rated - the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards.
Professional Achievements
Fellow, American College of Trust & Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
- Employee Benefits Committee
- Elder Law Committee
Member, Iowa State Bar Association Section on Tax Law; Real Estate; and Probate and Estate Planning
- Probate and Estate Planning, Section Chair, 2012-2013
- Legislative Committee, 2011-Present
Member, American Bar Association Section on Probate & Trust Law
Leadership Positions
Johnston Community School District
- President, 1990-1991, 1995-1996
- Board of Directors, 1985-1997
Johnston School District Foundation
- Board of Directors, 1998-2004
- Chair, 1998-2002
- Friend of the District, 2005
Johnston High School and Middle School Mock Trial
- Coach, 1990-2011
- 2006 Middle School State Champion Coach
Johnston School Centennial Committee
- Member, 2009-2014
Johnston Chamber of Commerce
- 2014 Citizen of the Year
- Vice President, 1985
- Member, 1983-Present
Rotary Club of Northwest Des Moines
- Rotary District 6000 Endowment Fund Chairperson, 2018-Present
- Rotary Foundation Chairperson, 1990-Present
- Member, 1983-Present
Valley United Methodist Church
- Foundation Board, 2008-2013, 2018-Present
- Chairperson, 2008-2013, 2018-Present
- Member, 1977-Present
Memberships & Activities
State Bar Admissions
Iowa, 1972
Federal Court Admissions
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa
U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit
U.S. Court of Military Appeals
U.S. Tax Court
U.S. Supreme Court
Professional Memberships
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (Fellow)
Iowa Academy of Trust and Estate Counsel
American Bar Association
Iowa State Bar Association
Polk County Bar Association
Other Memberships
Mid-Iowa Estate and Financial Planners
Mid-Iowa Planned Giving Council
