Frederick W. "Fred" James

Howard Hagen practices primarily in banking law. For over 25 years he has counseled banks in virtually every Iowa county on such issues as regulation, acquisitions and various corporate and shareholder matters that have confronted banks in both good and troubled times. Howard also has served as counsel to the Community Bankers of Iowa for more than 20 years. He currently serves as a member of the American Bar Association Banking Law Committee. Earlier in his career, Howard served in the publi...

Todd was born in Storm Lake, Iowa and he has been a resident of the Des Moines area for approximately 40 years. Todd maintains his litigation practice in the areas of transportation, products liability, commercial, premises liability, legal malpractice and property rights. Todd has received defense verdicts in courtrooms throughout all parts of Iowa. Todd is recognized as a leader in Iowa in the defense of railroads and trucking companies. He is one of the only few railroad litigators whose o...

Jeff has a business-focused practice specializing in the areas of corporate law, banking and financial services, commercial finance, real estate and land use law. He advises a wide array of clients in all phases of institutional lending, including loan structuring, negotiating and drafting credit transaction documentation. Additionally, he provides advice to a variety of business clients regarding general corporate transactions, including organizational, development, funding and start-up issu...

Nicole Proesch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Education Law and Employment Law - Management. Nicole, who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. With over 20 years of experience, Attorney Nicole Proesch has a practice that focuses on Employment L...

Lori A. Brandau is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Lori A., 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 Lori A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bill Stiles advises clients in commercial real estate matters ranging from acquisition of income-producing properties to valuation cases involving the assessed value of real estate. His clientele in real estate has necessitated his representation in personal estate planning, wills and probate, as well as corporate, limited liability company and partnership entity issues and the attendant tax planning associated with these areas.

David practices primarily in the area of taxation. He provides a broad range of tax counsel to small businesses on topics including federal and state income tax planning, taxation of employee benefits, equity structure and mergers, and succession planning. He also counsels and advises clients with respect to the management of their wealth to minimize estate and inheritance taxes through the use of asset protection trusts, grantor trusts, powers of appointment, lifetime gifts, QTIP trusts and ...

D. Brian Scieszinski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. D. Brian, 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 D. Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Blake R. Hanson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Blake R., who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Blake R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Timothy N. Lillwitz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Tim, who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tim is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Tim joined the litigation division of Dickinson Bradshaw in 2006 and has first and second-chaired numerous ...