View by Areas of Law

Adoption

Adoption is an emotional process, and Dickinson Bradshaw's family law attorneys understand the ups and downs you may have been through in your efforts to adopt a child. 

Agricultural Law

Modernizing agriculture has led not only to larger operations but has also led to a need for farm operations to become familiar with a wide variety of legal obligations from numerous governmental agencies. Often the failure to recognize those obligations (or their extent) can expose farm operations and their owners to substantial penalties and, in some cases, criminal prosecution.

Alimony

Alimony is a stipend to a spouse in lieu of the other spousal support legal obligations. Whether a court decides to award alimony depends on the circumstances of each particular case. Since cases differ it is important to have an experienced alimony attorney in Iowa. Dickinson Bradshaw's family law attorneys are knowledgeable in the laws concerning alimony and will work with you to analyze the facts and circumstances of your individual case. Our alimony lawyers in Des Moines can use these facts to support or refute an alimony claim as well as work to increase alimony payments. Dickinson Bradshaw will assess your monthly expenses and engage experts to prepare charts that may aid in presenting your case in the best possible manner.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

The attorneys in Dickinson Bradshaw's Alternative Dispute Resolution practice area bring years of experience to the table in their individual areas of practice when exploring dispute resolution alternatives as a neutral, predominantly for cases in which we are retained by other attorneys. Attorneys practicing in this area are available to provide mediation and arbitration services in civil litigation and workers' compensation matters.

Appellate Practice

In addition to representing clients in disputes at the trial court level or in administrative proceedings, Dickinson Bradshaw's litigators regularly handle appeals for clients in state and federal court. We have extensive experience before the Iowa Supreme Court, the Iowa Court of Appeals, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. In addition, many of the members of the practice area are admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

Background Checks and Drug Testing Best Practices

The Fair Credit Reporting Act, as well as various anti-discrimination and privacy laws, govern when and how to conduct background checks and what to do with their results. Supervisors get involved at critical points in background checking, and most haven't been trained about their role and the legal liabilities of it. 

Bank Mergers & Acquisitions

Over the past decade Dickinson Bradshaw has been involved in approximately 25-35% of all bank mergers and acquisitions in Iowa. 

Banking & Financial Services Law

The banking law attorneys at Dickinson Bradshaw. counsel more than 90 banks and financial institutions doing business in Iowa.

Among Iowa-based law firms, we have one of the largest teams of attorneys providing legal services to the state's community banks. The Des Moines, Iowa-based firm is a complete source of legal services for banks and other financial institutions, bankers, and bank directors on a wide range of general legal issues.

Banking Intellectual Property

Intellectual property assets and issues - including trade secrets, proprietary information, company data, trademarks, trade names, licensing, software use, domain names, etc. - are often overlooked by banking institutions.  Yet the banking industry is facing unprecedented change, much of which impacts information, intellectual property, and the security and protection of both.  

Banking Litigation

Dickinson Bradshaw's banking litigation attorneys represent banks and financial institutions in connection with the enforcement and defense of their rights as lenders in a wide variety of contexts, including state, federal and bankruptcy courts. Our clientele includes not only individuals and institutions who lend in their own right, but indenture trustees dealing with complex issues involving the interpretation and enforcement of bond financing documentation.

Banking Regulatory Compliance

Dickinson Bradshaw's banking regulatory compliance attorneys help financial institutions of all sizes with the myriad regulatory issues they face every day.  We have experience with the Iowa Division of Banking, the Iowa Attorney General's Office, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve, and the Office of the Comptroller of Currency. 

Bankruptcy, Corporate Restructuring, & Creditors' Rights Law

The attorneys at Dickinson Bradshaw have decades of extensive experience providing a full range of services in virtually all matters in Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 bankruptcy cases, including the representation of debtors, creditors, committees, and trustees.

Business and Corporate Law

Dickinson Bradshaw's Des Moines, Iowa-based attorneys have experience in all aspects of the business and corporate law. We take our role as counselors seriously. Whether a straightforward entity formation or a complex merger, we're engaged throughout the process. We advise our clients and make recommendations only after listening to and understanding our clients' expectations and goals.

Business Formation

The choice of a business organization is one of the earliest and most important decisions facing an entrepreneur. The type of organization affects a business's day-to-day operations, its tax status, and the potential liability of its officers, directors, managers and partners in the event of a lawsuit. Dickinson Bradshaw's business law attorneys take time to learn about clients' new businesses. We carefully explain the pros and cons of each type of business organization available. 

Business Litigation

Dickinson Bradshaw's litigators have significant experience in business and commercial litigation. The goal of our litigation team is to deal with business disputes swiftly and effectively so you can get back to business. 

Child Custody

As stressful as disentangling a marriage is for parents during divorce proceedings, it is often much more so for the child. Dickinson Bradshaw's family law attorneys are sensitive to clients' desires to protect the best interests of their children. 

Child Support

Iowa recently adopted the pure income shares method of calculating child support, which provides specific guidance for parents as to what child support shall be depending on the combined incomes of the parties. 

Construction Law and Litigation

In Iowa’s rapidly growing construction industry, owners, architects, contractors, engineers, insurers and others have numerous legal decisions related to running their business, managing their projects, dealing with suppliers, and complying with state, local, and federal regulations. 

Contract Disputes

Although parties usually enter into contracts with the best of intentions, all too often contractual relationships end with disputes about which party breached the agreement. At Dickinson Bradshaw, we understand that clients don’t want to be tied up in court for years when contract disputes arise. In fact, disputes with regard to failed agreements make up a fundamental area of practice for many of our litigators. Our team of attorneys leverage our knowledge of contract law in various jurisdictions to provide clients with fast, professional and cost-effective legal guidance.

Contracts & Vendor Agreements

Dickinson Bradshaw's business law attorneys help clients draft and negotiate contracts including stock and asset purchase agreements, shareholder agreements, business formation documents, licensing agreements, employment agreements, and confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements.

Contracts and Agreements

Businesses and people often need contracts to protect themselves and to explicitly explain agreements. We understand contract law. Our experienced team of Dickinson Bradshaw attorneys assist individuals, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, and other types of business entities in a wide array of industries in crafting, evaluating, and negotiating contracts for various jurisdictions.

Copyrights

Dickinson Bradshaw's intellectual property attorneys provide advice to clients on a wide range of copyright issues in connection with software; visual arts; sound recordings; and literary, musical, dramatic, pictorial and architectural works. ​

Corporate Governance (Banking Law)

Dickinson Bradshaw's attorneys advise boards on delegation of authority issues and issues involving boards' retained authority.  We provide ongoing counsel on issues such as board committee structure and functions, self-assessment, codes of ethics, conflicts of interests, fiduciary duties, risk management oversight (including understanding director and officer insurance coverage), regulatory and financial controls compliance, succession planning, strategic planning, whistleblower matters, and other oversight-related functions.

Corporate Governance (Business Law)

Increasingly, corporate governance best practices are being demanded of companies large and small.  Regulators and shareholders hold boards accountable, and directors must have a thorough understanding of what is expected to meet their obligations. Dickinson Bradshaw's attorneys advise boards on delegation of authority issues and issues involving boards' retained authority.  

Corporate Governance (Cybersecurity Law)

Increasingly, corporate governance best practices are being demanded of companies large and small. Regulators and shareholders hold boards accountable, and directors must have a thorough understanding of what is expected to meet their obligations. Dickinson Bradshaw's attorneys advise boards on delegation of authority issues and issues involving boards' retained authority.  

Criminal Law

Businesses and their owners face unprecedented scrutiny from a wide variety of governmental agencies as they try to conduct their business. More disconcerting, the government is increasingly using criminal prosecutions and threats of jail in their efforts to control or modify behavior of businesses. Our attorneys are familiar with business prosecution trends and devote a substantial amount of their time in assisting businesses and their owners in trying to protect against such allegations and defending clients where prosecutions arise.

Cybersecurity & Vendor Agreements

Dickinson Bradshaw's cybersecurity and contract attorneys assist clients with issues arising out of cyber breaches, data privacy, damage claims, regulatory issues, and related matters that financial institutions or their customers increasingly face. This team of lawyers also reviews any vendor agreements with third parties, involving data or any other type of agreement for services or products, for any due diligence issues and contract term issues.

Cybersecurity, Data Breach, & Privacy

When your business is subject to a data breach, your first call should be to a qualified Des Moines, Iowa-based attorney who can help you maximize the coverage of the attorney-client privilege, minimize potential damages, and formulate a response plan that takes into account legal, regulatory, and reputational considerations.

Divorce

We empathize with our clients dealing with the stress involved with divorce and will handle your case with the compassion and dedication it deserves.

Domain Names

Although procuring a domain name is a fairly routine undertaking, enforcing a domain name or combating cybersquatting is another matter.  

Due Diligence

In the process of selling or acquiring a business interest, due diligence inquiries concerning the status and extent of the target's intellectual property and information technology are as important in many cases as due diligence inquiries concerning the target's physical assets and customer lists. 

Education Law

Dickinson Bradshaw's Des Moines, Iowa-based attorneys provide guidance to schools and universities on open records laws, collective bargaining legislation, teacher and administrator tenure statues, constitutional law, teacher licensing and assignment questions, student discipline, employee policies and practices, and Department of Education regulation matters.

Elder Law

The attorneys in Dickinson Bradshaw Law Firm's Elder Law practice area represent clients in Medicare and Medicaid matters and planning related to Medicare and Medicaid; preparation of special needs trusts; guardianship and conservatorship matters; preparation of advance directives, such as living wills and durable power of attorney; handling of administrative appeals and other matters before government agencies including Title XIX matters, estate recovery matters, elder abuse and neglect charges, and Social Security disability matters.

Emerging Technology

New and emerging technologies are changing many aspects of our lives for the better, including how we do business. Here in Iowa, we have a deep history of developing new technology, and increasingly companies are looking to develop and capitalize on this fast-growing sector within the state. Our Emerging Technology group is in a unique position to give you a competitive advantage as you grow and adopt new technologies within your business to increase efficiency, generate new business, and ultimately boost your bottom line. 

Eminent Domain

The attorneys in the Dickinson Bradshaw Law Firm Eminent Domain practice area have represented municipal entities and private corporations in acquiring rights-of-way by voluntary easement and by eminent domain proceedings.

Employee Complaints and Termination

Supervisors also sometimes observe problems in real time. Do your supervisors know what to do when trouble bubbles? This session tells it like it is suing the analogy of the supervisor as a paramedic for employee problems. 

Employee Retention Tax Credit

Dickinson Bradshaw's Des Moines-based Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC) team is comprised of attorneys and CPAs who put our client's interest first. We can help explore if your organization qualifies for the ERC or discuss the validity of a third-party's work on your return. 

Employee Use of Social Media

Posts about what? Tweets about who? The most timely supervisors' training covers how to handle employee use of social media. A cornucopia of continuously evolving laws that speak to employee online activities. 

Employment & Labor Law

Dickinson Bradshaw's Employment & Labor Law Group is one of Iowa's largest and most recognized. Our Des Moines, Iowa-based attorneys have extensive experience representing and counseling clients in matters of traditional labor law and general employment law.

Employment Law Basics

If your management team needs training on all kinds of employment law topics, this training session is the perfect starting point. It provides an overview of a variety of key state and federal laws and topics impacting today's workplace.

Employment Law Training

Dickinson Bradshaw training programs can help protect your company against costly harassment, discrimination and retaliation claims.  Today you need effective training that does more than just prevent discrimination and harassment lawsuits.  Our training will help you create a healthy workplace culture; protecting against the bigger costs of lost productivity, turnover, and brand damage caused by uncivil behavior associated with harassment and discrimination. 

Employment Litigation

Dickinson Bradshaw attorneys represent clients in all aspects of employment litigation, including administrative agency proceedings and trial work before federal and state courts.

Environmental Law

Dickinson Bradshaw's Des Moines, Iowa-based attorneys have experience in all aspects of environmental law, including real estate transactions and development, regulated industries, financial institutions, and agriculture. 

Environmental Litigation

Dickinson Bradshaw's litigators have defended clients in environmental litigation brought by both state and federal agencies, as well as in citizen suits and private party lawsuits brought against a potentially responsible party for the cleanup of a Superfund Site under CERCLA. Our practice also includes private cost recovery lawsuits, actions involving underground storage tanks, toxic and chemical exposure cases, and environmental insurance litigation.

Executive Comp & Benefits

While most executive compensation regulations are aimed at public companies, today even smaller companies' executive compensation practices are being subjected to increased scrutiny. Dickinson Bradshaw attorneys counsel both public and private companies on executive compensation practices and legal requirements such as proper disclosure. 

Family Law

Dissolving a marriage is a painful and emotional process and we empathize with our clients dealing with the distress involved with divorce. Dickinson's Des Moines, Iowa-based family law attorneys will work with you to achieve the best possible result in protecting your assets, dispensing of your debts, and - especially - providing for your children.

FMLA, FSLA, Military Leave, and ADA Compliance

Supervisors are on the front line. They know when employees are absent and why, and they can get frustrated with employee absences. If not trained properly, supervisors can, unknowingly, create liability for the employer under the FMLA and related laws. 

Freedom of Information/Sunshine Law Disputes

State and federal government agencies have an obligation to conduct public business in a transparent manner. Dickinson attorneys have successfully advised both governmental entities and private parties on the application of state and federal sunshine laws. Dickinson attorneys have also successfully litigated disputes over open meetings and open records laws, and handled administrative matters before the Iowa Public Information Board.

Harassment & Discrimination Investigations

A good third-party investigator helps reduce the risk of a costly discrimination or harassment claim.  Dickinson Law Employment and Labor attorneys bring more than “book learning” to a situation.  Our familiarity with Iowa workplaces as well as the issues and quirks in them enable us not only to conduct timely, objective investigations, but to provide objective assessments and recommendations to seek compliance with the many federal, state and local laws which may impact on a particular situation.

Harassment and Discrimination Prevention

A good third-party investigator helps reduce the risk of a costly discrimination or harassment claim.  Dickinson Bradshaw Employment and Labor attorneys bring more than “book learning” to a situation.  Our familiarity with Iowa workplaces as well as the issues and quirks in them enable us not only to conduct timely, objective investigations, but to provide objective assessments and recommendations to seek compliance with the many federal, state and local laws which may impact on a particular situation.

Insurance Defense

The Insurance Defense practice area includes many of the attorneys involved in the Litigation and Trial Practice area. These attorneys work with insurers and their insureds to provide counsel and representation in litigated matters including automobile accidents, commercial general liability claims, homeowner claims, bad faith claims, insurance fraud, employment law issues, construction disputes, life insurance/disability claims, premises liability, products liability, errors and omissions, professional malpractice, toxic torts and workers' compensation.

Insurance Law and Litigation

Dickinson Bradshaw Law Firm's Insurance Law and Litigation practice area is among the largest in the Firm and consists of numerous attorneys who provide a diverse and broad-based range of legal services.

Dickinson Bradshaw attorneys serve as members of the board of directors or provide counsel to insurance companies on corporate matters including mergers and acquisitions, employee issues, licensure with state insurance departments, compliance with regulatory requirements, rate hearings, filings with governmental entities and risk management.
 

Intellectual Property Law

Your company's intellectual capital - including information technology, data, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, domain names and patents - may be its most valuable asset. 

Juvenile Law

Juvenile law covers a wide range of legal issues impacting juveniles and their family members. Thousands of Iowans find themselves in juvenile court without understanding the vast ways in which juvenile court differs from district court. 

Labor Law

In the area of traditional labor law, Dickinson Bradshaw attorneys represent clients before the National Labor Relations Board, the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board, and the courts in matters ranging from union organizing efforts to unfair labor practice charges to union decertification. 

Licensing & Regulation

Dickinson Bradshaw's intellectual property attorneys routinely negotiate and craft all types of licensing, use and subscription agreements to protect clients' interests in intellectual property transactions. 

Licensing and Administrative Law

Dickinson Bradshaw attorneys have routinely represented parties in matters involving government action.  

Litigation & Trial Law

Dickinson Bradshaw's litigation and trial law attorneys give thorough consideration to clients' business interests while serving their litigation needs. Our Des Moines, Iowa-based litigators represent clients in a wide variety of industries in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as in arbitration, mediation, administrative proceedings and regulatory investigations and hearings. 

Mediation & Arbitration

Dickinson Bradshaw's Des Moines, Iowa-based litigators frequently engage in alternate dispute resolution when in the best interest of a client and have substantial experience in enforcing dispute resolution clauses in both state and federal courts. 

Mergers & Acquisitions

Dickinson Bradshaw attorneys regularly assist businesses in formulating strategies for expanding or selling their businesses through merger and acquisition transactions. 

Municipal Law

Dickinson Bradshaw's Des Moines, Iowa-based attorneys offer a full range of legal services to assist cities, counties, municipal entities across Iowa with local governance. Our attorneys have served on municipal boards and commissions and understand the importance of accountability at all levels of government.

Personal Injury Litigation

The attorneys in Dickinson Bradshaw Law Firm's Personal Injury Litigation practice area provide representation to individuals pursuing claims based upon personal injuries and wrongful death. We have handled claims for clients arising from vehicular collisions, toxic torts, premises and construction incidents to dram shop related matters. When assessing a personal injury claim, the goal of the attorneys in the practice area is to assess the merits and potential value of a claim with an eye toward a resolution that provides the maximum benefit to the client.

Premarital Agreements

Dickinson Bradshaw's family law attorneys will work with you to prepare a premarital agreement that is consistent with Iowa law and contains effective language that will protect your assets and interests.

Preventive Counseling for Employers

Dickinson Bradshaw's labor and employment practice includes preventive counseling for scores of businesses. Our clients include employers which are large, small and in-between; for-profit and not-for-profit; Iowa-based as well as regional and national. 

Product Liability

The attorneys in Dickinson Bradshaw Law Firm's Product Liability practice area represent individuals, manufacturers and distributors in litigated and non-litigated disputes. We represent clients in litigated matters before state and federal courts in various jurisdictions throughout the United States.

Property Division

Iowa is an equitable division state, which means courts will apportion property and debts fairly to divorcing parties. Dickinson Bradshaw's family law attorneys will ensure that all issues involved in dividing your assets and debts are taken into consideration.

Railroad Employee Injuries & Federal Employer's Liability Act

Dickinson Bradshaw's Railroad Employee Injuries Practice has a deep understanding of the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA) and the challenges faced by railroad workers. Headed by Attorney Nicole Proesch, we help clients navigate legal issues involved in FELA claims. 

Real Estate and Land Use

Dickinson Bradshaw's Des Moines, Iowa-based attorneys bring a vast array of resources to bear on clients' real estate and land use needs. Our real estate group handles matters ranging from transactions such as commercial asset disposition and acquisitions to real estate based litigation.

Real Estate Litigation

Dickinson Bradshaw's real estate litigation attorneys represent clients in lawsuits involving defective construction and warranty claims, breach of contract claims against home buyers and sellers, specific performance of purchase contracts, warranty issues, lease disputes, home owner association disputes, broker/salesperson liability, Chapter 558A claims concerning disclosure of known defects, and restrictive covenant enforcement. Additionally, our lawyers represent clients in condemnation proceedings, including disputes regarding valuation. In the event that problems arise after financing is in place, we assist clients with work-outs, foreclosures, bankruptcies, and the additional litigation that may result.

SALT - State and Local Tax Law

The number of taxing jurisdictions in the U.S. is approaching 10,000, each with its own rules, making state and local tax complex. Dickinson Bradshaw’s Des Moines, Iowa-based SALT attorneys have represented taxing authorities and single and multi-state entities in a wide array of matters, which has provided them valuable insight into state and local tax issues. Whether you have a questions related to sales, income, or property tax or you have been contacted by a state Department of Revenue, Dickinson Bradshaw’s SALT attorneys can help you navigate the complex world of state and local taxes. 

Securities & Commodities Litigation

Tax Collection Matters

Tax liens and tax levies can be frustrating and difficult to live with. Dickinson Bradshaw's tax law attorneys can assist you in correcting erroneous assessments, and, in cases where taxes are due, can guide you in setting up installment payment plans or in submitting offers to compromise and settle your tax liabilities.

Tax Credits & Economic Incentives

The State of Iowa provides a wide array of tax credits and incentives that are often overlooked by relocating or growing companies. Tax credits and incentives are not limited to companies making million-dollar investments and may be available for companies making investments of far less. Dickinson Bradshaw’s tax attorneys are experienced in all phases of the credits and incentives process. 

Tax Disputes

An audit by the IRS or a state department of revenue can be a frightening and intimidating experience. An attorney who is experienced with the audit process can help ensure that your rights are protected and that any audit or dispute with a taxing authority can be resolved as soon as possible with as little cost as possible. 

Tax Planning

Tax considerations impact many of the decisions made daily by individuals and businesses. Complete understanding of applicable tax laws and knowledge of clients' goals are key to assisting clients in minimizing or even eliminating their tax liabilities. 

Taxation Law

Dickinson Bradshaw's Des Moines, Iowa-based tax law attorneys advise privately and publicly held and multi-state businesses, tax-exempt organizations and individuals regarding all types of taxes.

Trade Secrets

The success of a business necessarily relies on the trust and confidence of those who work for the business. Having a trusted employee leave and take trade secrets and other confidential and proprietary information can be devastating to a business. Dickinson Bradshaw's intellectual property attorneys regularly advise clients on how to protect against the theft of their trade secrets and other intellectual property.

Trademarks & Service Marks

The goodwill of a business and its identity in the marketplace may well be tied primarily to a trademark. Protecting your trademark is paramount in fostering an ongoing and positive association in the marketplace between your product or service and your business. 

Transportation Law and Litigation

The attorneys in Dickinson Bradshaw Law Firm's Transportation Law and Litigation practice area represent trucking companies, motor carriers, and insurers in litigated and non-litigated disputes. We represent clients in litigated matters before state and federal courts in various jurisdictions throughout the United States. Litigated matters have included issues dealing with personal injuries, cargo claims, the Carmack amendment, contract disputes, DOT investigations, and other transportation issues.

Unfair Competition / Antitrust

Dickinson Bradshaw attorneys have experience in pursuing claims of unfair competition, as well as in defending companies and individuals that are accused of competing unfairly. Most of the claims in this area touch on concepts of protected information such as trade secrets, an area in which our attorneys have extensive experience and knowledge.

Whistleblower Law

Whistleblowers play a vital role in exposing wrongdoing and promoting transparency in the workplace. That is why we are committed to providing our clients with the support and representation they need to blow the whistle on illegal or unethical activity. Whistleblower laws can be complex and difficult to navigate, but our team of legal professionals has the knowledge and experience to guide you through the process.

Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning and Probate Law

Dickinson Bradshaw's Des Moines, Iowa-based trusts & estates attorneys handle matters in estate planning, trusts, probate, and related areas of taxation. Depending on each client's needs, we can assist with just one issue or address the complex needs of a multi-million dollar estate with multiple business interests.

Workers' Compensation

The attorneys of the Dickinson Bradshaw Workers' Compensation practice area serve in an advisory capacity for non-litigated matters, provide representation in contested case proceedings before the Iowa Workers' Compensation Commissioner, and offer appellate representation in judicial review proceedings. Several attorneys in the practice area also serve as mediators and as expert witnesses.