Welcome 2024 Summer Associates

Dickinson, Bradshaw, Fowler & Hagen, P.C. is pleased to announce our 2024 Summer Associates, (left to right) Emily Byrnes, Nicholas Ahlquist, Aiden Ruble, and Elena Pinnow.

Elena Pinnow

Elena is currently attending Drake University Law School where she will graduate with the Class of 2025. She holds an undergraduate degree in political science with a minor in English from Luther College.

Elena is from Denver, Colorado, where she first became interested in becoming an attorney. She is interested in potentially working in the areas of business and family law.

“I have an interest in connecting on a deeper level with businesses and individuals who need legal services in my community.” she said. “It’s my opportunity to give back.”

Since starting law school, Elena has volunteered her services in a number of ways. She has participated in the annual Cady Day of Service in an effort to bring legal clinics to communities in need, and she has volunteered her time with immigration, family law, and wills and estates clinics. She served as a summer intern at the Battered Women’s Justice Project, and she plans to work at the Drake Law Legal Clinic in the Entrepreneurial and Transactional Clinic next summer.

In her spare time, Elena enjoys playing pickle ball, working on puzzles while sipping on a Northern Vessel Iced Cheerio Latte, and she can be found exploring local cafes in the Des Moines metro area.

Nicholas Ahlquist

Nick attends the University of Iowa College of Law and will also graduate in 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and secondary social studies education from the University of Iowa.

Prior to law school, he was a high school social studies educator for several years in the Des Moines area, with five of those years spent teaching in the Urbandale School District. While education is still a passion of Nick’s and he remains connected to several former colleagues and mentors, Nick decided to pivot to study law.

“As a student of history, I always had an interest in the law, and later as a civics teacher that interest deepened,” Nick said. “However, my motivations were not entirely academic. I have always found value in serving and working with others. A legal career offers an opportunity to serve clients and communities in many different and exciting ways that I did not have as an educator.”

While teaching, Nick had the privilege to coach both basketball and golf, in addition to aiding in the founding of his district’s esports program.

“That leadership experience required great communication, organization, and collaboration with many different parties,” he said. “Those skills will help me in my legal career.”

As a lifelong Iowan, Nick grew up in Sioux City, with two older brothers. His parents still reside there, as well as one of his brothers and his family. His other brother lives in the Des Moines area.

“I have several nieces and nephews who I try to spoil on occasion,” he said.

In addition to his work at Dickinson Bradshaw, Nick’s legal training included work as a summer associate in 2023 at the Heidman Law Firm in Sioux City.

Nick and his fiancé met in Des Moines and hope to return to the area following law school. Outside the office, Nick enjoys playing golf, watching collegiate and professional sports, playing PC video games, and exploring hiking and biking trails.

Aiden Ruble

Aiden also attends Drake Law School and will graduate in 2025. He is from Indianola, and holds a bachelor of arts from Simpson College in business management with minors in psychology & Simpson Honors.

He first became interested in studying law thanks to his parents, and is exploring practicing in insurance law, workers’ compensation, and general business transactional law.

“My parents were small business owners and I loved every minute of it, so I decided to go to law school to help other small businesses navigate the legal system,” Aiden commented.

Aiden’s legal training has included working as a Drake Law Review junior staff member and articles editor. Additionally, he served as a summer associate for Farm Bureau Financial Services, and completed internships with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Division and the Warren County Attorney’s Office.

Along with earning his Juris Doctorate, next year will also be significant for Aiden personally. He and his fiancé are planning a wedding in 2025.

Outside of work, Aiden loves the great outdoors and he can often be found camping, hiking, riding bikes and fishing.

Emily Byrnes

Emily is a junior at Boston University where she is majoring in pure and applied math with a minor in philosophy. Emily was raised in Ankeny and graduated from Ankeny High School in 2022. She spent time abroad studying in New Zealand, and attended Iowa State before transferring to Boston.

Emily plans on applying to law school and is interested in the legal areas of intellectual property, patents, and copyrights. She is also exploring several other areas during her internship at Dickinson Bradshaw. She first decided to pursue a legal career thanks to her involvement with pre-legal societies while attending college.

“I’ve had positive experiences and impressions meeting with and asking questions of lawyers in many areas,” she said. “Those interactions ignited a spark to pursue a career in the legal field.”

Emily has experience with coding and other tech-related skills, and she has a private blog reviewing music. She also enjoys running, reading, going to concerts, and hanging out with her Shih Tzu/Bichon mix, Zoey.

About the Associate Program

Dickinson Bradshaw’s Summer Associate Program is focused on assisting law students in advancing their careers through a variety of educational and professional experiences. Summer Associates will learn the culture of practicing within a law firm while gaining exposure to the business of practicing law. Dickinson Bradshaw designs its Associate Program to fit the needs and interests of each individual. If you're interested in learning more, please visit our application page.