Aaron J. Hilligas

Jon was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1957. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1980. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Drake University in 1983 and was admitted to the Iowa State Bar that same year. Jon has received the highest possible rating in legal ability and ethical standards from Martindale-Hubbell, earning an AV Preeminent peer review rating. Jon is also included in Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Pr...

Steven M. Augspurger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Steven M., who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Colleen MacRae practices with the firm's Business, Finance & Real Estate team. She represents both buyers and sellers in the negotiation and closing of mergers, asset purchases, and stock acquisitions. Colleen provides advice to businesses regarding formation, organization, restructuring, and contract negotiation. Colleen also regularly represents real estate developers, purchasers, and sellers in a variety of commercial real estate transactions. She assists landlords and tenants in lease...

Melissa Schilling represents public and private sector employers in labor and employment matters. In that role, she has successfully represented clients in state and federal cases involving a broad range of labor and employment laws, including Title VII, the American with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Melissa also has extensive experience investigating and handling matters filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) and related...

Joel B. Templeman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Joel B., who practices law in West Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joel B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William S. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. William, who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. William practices as Smith & Kramer, P.C. and Of Counsel to Dickinson, Bradshaw, Fowler & Hagen, P.C....

Prior to returning to Iowa to join us in 2007, Rob was with the firm Wingert, Grebing, Brubaker & Goodwin, LLP in Las Vegas, Nevada and San Diego, California. He was a member of the University of San Diego Law Review. His primary practice area is professional negligence, including the defense of attorneys, architects and engineers. Rob is a member of the Lincoln Inn of Court and is listed in the Best Lawyers of America commencing in 2019.

Daniel L. Manning, Sr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning and Litigation - Real Estate. Daniel L., who practices law in West Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christine Bestor Townsend is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Christine, who practices law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stacie maintains a diverse civil litigation and trial law practice. Her practice includes but is not limited to health law, professional liability and malpractice defense, professional licensing, employment law, products and premises liability, personal injury, insurance defense, insurance subrogation, and appeals. Stacie frequently represents clients in complex litigation, defends employers and individuals in employment related litigation, and provides employment related advice. A significan...