Mollie M. Pawlosky
Suite 3700
Des Moines, IA 50309
Introduction
Clarifying complexities and approaching litigation from common ground. That’s Mollie Pawlosky’s foundation for building client relationships. “Clients don’t let their passions dictate their business decisions,” Mollie explains. “It’s my goal to ensure clients don’t let their passions dictate their decisions during litigation.”
Through her commercial litigation practice, Mollie walks clients through complex litigation such as commercial foreclosure, collections and creditors’ rights, corporate governance disputes, construction litigation and mechanic’s lien disputes, and appellate work. Before joining Dickinson Bradshaw in 2002, Mollie practiced general business litigation for several years with a large Chicago firm.
Mollie’s experience fosters her knack for answering complex problems with workable solutions – helping clients tackle litigation from a practical business perspective at each turn.
Practice Areas
Education & Background
- J.D., DePaul University College of Law (with Honors; Order of the Coif, DePaul Law Review)
- B.A., Grinnell College (with Honors, IES Madrid Semester Program, Phi Beta Kappa)
- Associate at Foley & Lardner LLP, Chicago, Illinois, 1996-2002
Honors & Awards
Chambers USA
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Selected for inclusion in the 2009-2024 editions of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as a “Leading Individual” in the area of General Commercial Litigation in the state of Iowa. Mollie has drawn the following published commentary from the editors of Chambers USA (Source: 2009-20243 editions of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, © 2009-2024 Chambers & Partners, reproduced with permission from Chambers & Partners):
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2009: “Mollie Pawlosky is one of the firm’s leading full-time litigation lawyers. She has a busy practice acting for banks and financial institutions, and also handles some foreclosure-related litigation.”
- 2010: “Clients appreciate Mollie Pawlosky’s big-firm experience from her time practicing at a national law firm in Chicago and highlight her ‘diligent work ethic and superb accessibility.'”
- 2011: “Mollie Pawlosky is an experienced commercial litigator with a practice that takes in securities, construction and creditors’ rights. ‘She’s very knowledgeable of the law, both in Iowa and beyond, and is great to providing spot-on, candid advice.'”
- 2012: “Mollie Pawlosky provides ‘very thorough and knowledgeable’ counsel on issues ranging from securities to construction.”
- 2013: “Mollie Pawlosky covers a broad range of litigation, including insurance, construction and contract disputes, and also has an active appellate practice. ‘I couldn’t ask for a better partner,’ said one client, adding: ‘She’s done an outstanding job.’ “
- 2014: The “very pleasant and capable” Mollie Pawlosky advised the First Bank and Trust Company of Illinois on the foreclosure of Sioux City Hotel and Conference Center. One satisfied client states: “I couldn’t ask for more – she is outstanding.”
- 2015: According to one client, Mollie Pawlosky is a “true gem” who “knows how best to assist clients and is an amazing negotiator.” Her areas of expertise include insurance and construction disputes.
- 2016: "Mollie is one of the few people that just have a wealth of experience in the federal court."
- 2017: Sources praise Mollie Pawlosky as "great in the courtroom and well respected by peers." She represents a wide variety of clients from different industry sectors in disputes, yet is particularly active in commercial litigation.
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2019: Mollie is described by sources as "very thorough and articulate in describing complex legal proceedings." Interviewees also comment that she is "very knowledgeable" and a "strong advocate." She is particularly experienced in advising clients from the banking and finance sectors.
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2020: Mollie Pawlosky is noted for her skillful representation of various financial institution in matters pertaining to breaches of fiduciary duty and securities law violations, as well as foreclosure litigation. Clients remark: "She is very knowledgeable and she wins cases, pure and simple!"
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2021: Clients note, "She has done an excellent job working with us."
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2022: "Mollie Pawlosky is noted for her skillful representation of various financial institutions in matters pertaining to breaches of fiduciary duty and securities law violations."
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2023: "Mollie regularly represents clients from the insurance, construction, energy and banking sectors."
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2024: "Mollie has broad subject matter and procedural expertise, and critical insight to the local judges and practitioners. Her advice is invaluable.”
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Best Lawyers
- Selected for inclusion in the 2016-2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law.
- Selected for inclusion in the 2020-2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Commercial Litigation.
Martindale-Hubbell
- AV Preeminent Peer Review rated since 2008 – the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards.
Super Lawyers
- Named a Great Plains Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters since 2020 in the area of Business Litigation.
Other Awards
- Selected as one of the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 honorees for 2010.
Jurisdictions
Admitted to practice in the following states:
- Iowa
- Illinois
Admitted to practice before the following federal courts:
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
Reported Cases and Representative Matters
- Handled foreclosure from the creditor side for the largest hotel in Sioux City, Iowa.
- Participated in three-week, multi-million dollar jury trial and appeal regarding whether defective construction is covered under commercial general liability insurance policy.
- First-chaired multi-million dollar class action jury trial in Polk County District Court regarding receipt of demutualization proceeds by an insurance policyholder.
- Routinely obtains summary judgments on behalf of clients in contested litigation.
- Significant experience in motion practice and bench trials to the court.
Memberships & Activities
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U.S. District Court Merit Selection Panels
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2022 Chair of the Merit Selection Panel to assist with the replacement of Magistrate Judge Stephen H. Locher
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2022 Chair of the Merit Selection Panel to assist with the consideration of the retention of Magistrate Judge Stephen B. Jackson
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2014 Member of the Merit Selection Panel to assist with the replacement of Magistrate Judge Ross Walters
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American Arbitration Association
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Panelist, Consumer and Commercial Panels, 2020-Present
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Member, 2023-Present
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Iowa State Bar Association
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Federal Practice Committee
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Member, 2007-2023
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Chair, 2012-2014
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Lincoln Inne
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Member, 2013-Present
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President, 2021-2022
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Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission
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Member, 2014-2020
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Attorney Admission Fee Fund Committee for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
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Member, 2012-2019
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Southern District of Iowa Branch of the Historical Society of the United States Courts in the Eighth Circuit
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President, 2021-present
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C. Edwin Moore Inn of Court
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President, 2012-2013
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Master
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Iowa Board of Mortuary Science
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Member, 2017-2023
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American Bar Association
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Member, Litigation Section
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Polk County Bar Association
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Member
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East High (Des Moines Public Schools) Alumni Association
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President, 2011-2012
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East High (Des Moines Public Schools) Alumni Scholarship Foundation
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Member, Board of Directors, 2009-2013
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Chair, Scholarship Committee, 2009-2013
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Articles, Presentations, and Publications
- Presenter, "Litigation Cases that Impact Lending & Collections," Iowa Bankers Association's Lending Law Seminar, Urbandale, Iowa, October 26, 2023
- Author, Iowa Chapter, Business Torts: A Fifty-State Guide, Aspen Publishers, 2020 edition
- Author, Parents’ Payment of Kids’ Debt Gives Kids Right of Contribution, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, August 2, 2018
- Author, The Sixth Protection for Ag Borrowers During Foreclosure, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, March 8, 2017
- Author, The Fifth Protection for Ag Borrowers During Foreclosure, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, March 7, 2017
- Author, The Fourth Protection for Ag Borrowers During Foreclosure, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, March 6, 2017
- Author, The Second & Third Protections For Ag Borrowers During Foreclosure, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, March 3, 2017
- Author, The First Protection For Ag Borrowers During Foreclosure" Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, March 2, 2017
- Author, Homestead Act Trumps City Ordinance, Iowa Commercial Litigation Law Blog, February 28, 2017
- Author, Lender Not Required to List All Grounds for Default When Accelerating a Note's Balance, Iowa Banking Law Blog, December 29, 2016
- Author, Policy Statue of Limitations Did Not Bar Bad Faith Suit, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, December 27, 2016
- Author, Litigation for 31 Months Waived Right to Arbitration, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, December 22, 2016
- Author, Tavern Exercised Reasonable Care, Because Harm Was Not Foreseeable, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, December 21, 2016
- Author, Listen to Everything the Witness Says Before Trying to Impeach, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, December 20, 2016
- Author, Conversion or Breach of Contract?, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, November 17, 2016
- Author, Debtor May Prefer a Creditor, Even Out of Spite, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, November 15, 2016
- Author, Plaintiff's Claim for Consequential Damages Was 'Doomed to Fail' Based on Theory of the Case, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, November 14, 2016
- Author, Unambiguous 'Satisfaction of Mortgage' Did Not Release Debtors' Note, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, November 11, 2016
- Author, District Court Must Address Whether Contract Merged Into Deed, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, November 10, 2016
- Author, Reliance Upon the District Court's Mistakenly Setting a Jury Trial Was Misplaced, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, November 8, 2016
- Author, Judge Correct in Overturning Jury Verdict, When Agreement Too Speculative to Enforce, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, November 4, 2016
- Author, No Guardian Ad Litem is Required for In Rem Proceedings, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, November 3, 2016
- Author, Dismissal for Want of Prosecution is Automatic, and Reinstatement After Six Months is Not Possible, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, November 2, 2016
- Author, Evidence of Criminal History Admitted as Probative of Decedent’s Earning Capacity, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, September 20, 2016
- Author, Appellate Court Rejects Conclusion that Appraising Farmland is “Merely a Speculative Endeavor”, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, September 19, 2016
- Author, Appellate Court Affirms Forced Sale of Condo Unit, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, September 15, 2016
- Author, Biomedical Engineer Allowed to Testify that Motor Vehicle Accident Did Not Cause Rotator Cuff Tear, Iowa Commercial Litigation Blog, September 13, 2016
- Author, Developer Did Not Negligently Misrepresent Sewer Hookup Location, Iowa Banking Law Blog, September 12, 2016
- Author, Court Seeks Comment on Proposed Rule 1.904(2) Changes, Iowa Banking Law Blog, September 8, 2016
- Author, Don’t Forget to Respond to Your Opponent’s Arguments, Iowa Banking Law Blog, September 7, 2016
- Author, Litigants Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Revisit Requesting Dismissal Based on Comity, Iowa Banking Law Blog, September 2, 2016
- Author, Callen Applied to Allow Rescission After Two Years from Decree Date, Iowa Banking Law Blog, September 1, 2016
- Author, Court of Appeals Rules that Purchaser’s Right of Prepayment was “Necessarily Implied”, Iowa Banking Law Blog, August 4, 2016
- Author, Court of Appeals Refuses to Exalt Form Over Substance in Shareholder Derivative Suit, Iowa Banking Law Blog, August 3, 2016
- Author, Is This Finally the End for the Baur Farms Oppression Claim? Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, August 2, 2016
- Author, “Tentative Bid” Lacked Sufficient Definition to Constitute a Contract, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, August 1, 2016
- Author, Inherent Judicial Power Does Not Amount to a “Do-Over”, Iowa Banking Law Blog, July 28, 2016
- Author, Liquidated Damages May Not Impose a Penalty, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, July 28, 2016
- Author, Supreme Court's Ruling in NSC v. Westlake Puts Iowa in the Minority, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, July 5, 2016
- Author, Defendants: Make Sure You Raise and Prove Your Affirmative Defenses, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, July 1, 2016
- Author, Court of Appeals Holds No Notice of “Express Will to Withdraw” from an LLC, and No Majority Oppression, Iowa Banking Law Blog, June 27, 2016
- Author, Contradictory Affidavit Rule, Iowa Banking Law Blog, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Law Blog, June 1, 2016
- Author, In Absence of Statutory Exception, Defendant Must Be Sued In County of Residence, Iowa Banking Law Blog, May 18, 2016
- Author, No Abuse of Discretion in Allowing Third Party Discovery After Judgment, Iowa Banking Law Blog, May 17, 2016
- Author, Motion to Dismiss in Mortgage Foreclosure Suit Denied as Untimely, Iowa Banking Law Blog, May 11, 2016
- Author, Iowa Court of Appeals Holds Contractors Argument, "Like the Pond It Build Does Not Hold Water", Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, May 10, 2016
- Author, Sale or Equitable Mortgage? Consider the Totality of the Facts, Iowa Banking Law Blog, April 14, 2016
- Author, Jury Should Not Have Learned That Defendant Would Be Indemnified, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, March 15, 2016
- Author, Adverse Possession of Real Property Must be Hostile, Actual, Open, Exclusive and Continuous, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, March 10, 2016
- Author, The Iowa Supreme Court Grants Further Review in National Surety Corporation v. Westlake Investments, LLC, Iowa Banking Law Blog, February 8, 2016
- Author, Iowa Court of Appeals Summarizes Historical Development of an Insurance Agent’s Duties in Procuring Insurance, Iowa Banking Law Blog, February 2, 2016
- Author, Court of Appeals Confirms Insurance Agent’s Duty to Use “Reasonable Care” in Procuring Insurance, Iowa Banking Law Blog, February 2, 2016
- Author, Iowa Supreme Court Affirms that Iowa Code section 615.1(1) Does Not Bar Lender From Pursuing a Second Foreclosure Decree, Iowa Banking Law Blog, January 29, 2016
- Author, Iowa Supreme Court Applies Chapter 16 Rules and Dismisses Another Appeal Due to Lack of Timely Filing, Iowa Banking Law Blog, January 22, 2016
- Author, Landowners May Be Advised to Sue to Avoid a Finding of Tacitly Acquiescing to a Boundary, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, January 21, 2016
- Author, Court of Appeals Uses Equity to Back-Date Filing in “Unique and Specific Circumstances”, Iowa Banking Law Blog, January 18, 2016
- Author, Bank Allowed to Pursue Attorney’s Fees Based on Personal Guaranty That Did Not Merge Into In Rem Judgment, but Not Awarded Prejudgment Interest on Attorneys’ Fees, Iowa Banking Law Blog, December 9, 2015
- Author, Pay Attention to the Deadline to Answer a Petition—Or else!, Dickinson Law Blog, December 8, 2015
- Author, Debtor’s Failure to Bring Claims as Counterclaims Rendered Argument Moot After Full Satisfaction, Iowa Banking Law Blog, December 2, 2015
- Author, Court of Appeals Reminds Debtors that Mortgage Rights Automatically Transfer with the Debt, Iowa Banking Law Blog, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, November 2, 2015
- Author, Court of Appeals Orders Partition in Kind, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, October 20, 2015
- Presenter, “Tales from the (Litigation) Dark Side,” 2015 Iowa Banking Law Seminar, Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen, P.C., West Des Moines, Iowa, September 10, 2015
- Author, No Meeting of the Minds When Bank Merely Agreed to Agree, Iowa Banking Law Blog, August 13, 2015
- Author, Bank Allowed to Add Attorney’s Fees to Debt as Sanction, Iowa Banking Law Blog, July 13, 2015
- Author, Lender May Pursue Second Foreclosure Decree, as Long as Debt Remains Unsatisfied, Iowa Banking Law Blog, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, June 30, 2015
- Author, Iowa Court of Appeals Quotes Dr. Seuss in Earth Day Opinion, Iowa Real Estate & Land Use Blog, June 29, 2015
- Presenter, “Pre-Suit Collection Strategies,” NBI Seminars – Collections Law from Start to Finish, Des Moines, Iowa, February 2015 and 2013
- Presenter, “Heartland Class Action Update,” 2009 Iowa Banking Law Seminar, Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen, P.C., West Des Moines, Iowa, September 3, 2009