Elissa M. Holman
Suite 3700
Des Moines, IA 50309
CLAIRE WARNER: (LEGAL ASSISTANT)
515-246.5862
TIFFANY ROOSA: (PARALEGAL)
troosa@dickinsonbradshaw.com
515.246.4545
Introduction
Attorney Elissa Holman is a highly successful and knowledgeable professional with nearly two decades of experience in Employment Law, Contract Law, Litigation, and Human Resources. At Dickinson Bradshaw, Elissa's practice is focused primarily on Employment Law and Civil Litigation. Her unique background helps her leverage her extensive business, HR and legal knowledge for her clients by helping them get in front of issues, in a proactive manner, to avoid costly litigation and headaches in the future.
Before joining the firm, Elissa spent three years as a litigator in Employment Law, Personal Injury, and Defamation Law. She has been named a "Rising Star of the Great Plains" for her work by Thomson Reuters each year since 2021.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Elissa climbed the corporate ladder at Bank of America for 16 years where she held various roles as a Senior Vice President in the HR arena. Her predominant focus during her tenure was in leadership development, executive coaching, training and development, and assisting in the direction and execution of HR operational processes and services for more than 200,000 employees across the globe. She has also served as a consultant for Fortune 500 companies focusing on the customer and associate experience.
Practice Areas
Education & Background
Education
- J.D., University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law (President, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys Student Chapter 2016-17, Mock Trial Team, Association of Women Lawyers, Black Law Students Association, and Student Innocence Project)
- B.A., University of Missouri Kansas City (Cum Laude)
Prior Experience
- Trial Attorney, Newkirk Zwagerman, P.L.C., Holman Kent, P.L.C., and Duncan Green, P.C. 2019-2022
- Principal/Strategy & Human Resources Professional Independent Consultant, Q5 North America, 2011-2015
- Senior Vice President, various Human Resources roles focused on leadership development, executive coaching, training and development, and execution of human resources operational processes and services for employees, Bank of America, 1995-2011
Honors & Awards
Best Lawyers
- Selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in the following areas:
- Education Law
- Labor and Employment Law - Management
- Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
- Privacy and Data Security Law
Super Lawyers
- Named a “Rising Star of the Great Plains” annually by Thomson Reuters since 2021. Only 2.5% of attorneys are selected annually throughout the Great Plains to the Rising Stars list.
Jurisdictions
Admitted to practice in the following states:
- Iowa
- Missouri
Admitted to practice before the following federal courts:
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
- U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
- U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Reported Cases and Representative Matters
- In 2021, served as co-counsel in a jury trial in a defamation case which resulted in an 8 million dollar verdict favorable for client.
- In 2020, served as co-counsel in a jury trial resulting in a six figure favorable verdict for client.
Memberships & Activities
- Iowa State Bar Association
- Polk County Women’s Association
- Iowa Association for Justice
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa; Volunteer
Articles, Presentations, and Publications
- Presenter, "Employment Law Issues: Generative AI in the Workplace," Dickinson Bradshaw Banking Law Seminar, West Des Moines, Iowa, September 4, 2025
- Co-Presenter, "We're Off to See the Wizard: When to Call Your Attorney," Dickinson Bradshaw Employment Law Seminar, West Des Moines, Iowa, June 12, 2025
- Presenter, "There's No Place Like Home: Immigration, ICE, and Visas," Dickinson Bradshaw Employment Law Seminar, Altoona, Iowa, June 12, 2025
- Presenter, "Who's Behind the Curtain? Generative AI in HR," Dickinson Bradshaw Employment Law Seminar, Altoona, Iowa, June 12, 2025
- Presenter, "A New Perspective on Texts & Emojis: Just Don't Do It," Dickinson Bradshaw Employment Law Seminar, West Des Moines, Iowa, May 23, 2024
- Co-Presenter, "NLRB Insights Panel: Policies Made Harder; Organizing Made Easier," Dickinson Bradshaw Employment Law Seminar, West Des Moines, Iowa, May 23, 2024
- Presenter, "Legal Updates: Everything Old is New Again," Dickinson Bradshaw Employment Law Seminar, West Des Moines, Iowa, May 23, 2024
- Author, What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You, Iowa Employer Law Blog, December 8, 2023
- Co-Presenter, "A Look at the NLRB's New Framework for Union Organizing," ABC of Iowa Seminar/Webinar, Ankeny, Iowa, October 31, 2023
- Presenter, "How Not to Get Sued," 2023 Iowa SHRM State Conference, Des Moines, Iowa, October 12, 2023
- Presenter, "Watches and Warnings: Successful Succession Planning," and "Finding Shelter in the Storm: How to Avoid Common Employer Mistakes in 2023," Dickinson Law Employment Law Seminar, West Des Moines, Iowa, May 24, 2023
- Led a CLE for the Iowa Association for Justice in February 2022
