Ian J. Russell

Nicholas Pothitakis was born June 4, 1966, in Fort Madison, Iowa. He attended the Univesity of Iowa from 1984 through 1988, obtaining a degree in Finance and a degree in Economics with Honors and with High Distinciton. Mr. Pothitakis enrolled in the fall of 1988 at one of the top law schools in the country, the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, Texas. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in the summer of 1991. Since then, Mr. Pothitakis has practiced primarily in the areas of Io...

Dennis VanDerGinst Dennis VanDerGinst is a personal injury attorney, trial lawyer, and the Founder & CEO of VanDerGinst Law PC. He represents injured individuals and families throughout Illinois, Iowa, and other jurisdictions. For more than 30 years, Dennis has focused his practice on helping people navigate serious injury claims and complex litigation during challenging periods of their lives. Dennis handles a wide range of plaintiff-side personal injury matters, including car accidents,...

Steven J. Pace is an Attorney and Senior Vice President at S&I whose work focuses on environmental law, energy law, civil litigation and insurance law. Steve is listed in the Best Lawyers in America for Energy Law and Environmental Law. Steve is listed as a Great Plains Super Lawyer®--2009 and 2011 -- Environmental, General Litigation. Steve is a Fellow in the Iowa State Bar Association, the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Steve serves as sect...

Don Johnson is an Attorney and Vice President at S&I. Don has a general practice including but not limited to estate planning and estate administration (including will preparation, trust preparation and probate administration), taxation (including tax return preparation and general consulting), and general business matters (including the establishment of corporate entities and contract drafting). Don is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the Iowa Society of Certified Publ...

Practice Areas: Bankruptcy Reorganizations Commercial Transactions Born Bowling Green, Kentucky, March 25, 1954; admitted to bar, 1982, Iowa; U. S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa and U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit. Education: Western Kentucky University (B.A.,cum laude, 1976); University of Iowa (J.D. 1982). Research Editor, Journal of Corporation Law, 1981-1982. Law Clerk to the Hon. Wm. W. Thinnes, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Northern District of Iowa 1982-1984. C...

Jennifer E. Rinden is an Attorney and Senior Vice President at S&I whose work focuses on litigation, primarily in medical malpractice defense and insurance defense. Jennifer is listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Medical Malpractice Law, is a member of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a member of the Iowa Defense Counsel and member of the Iowa Chapter of ABOTA. Jennifer also serves as a Volunteer Attorney for Iowa Legal Aid.

Sean W. Wandro is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law, Real Estate Law and Trusts and Estates. Sean W. practices law in Cedar Rapids, Iowa Best Lawyers has recognized Sean W. Wandro since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Sean W. Wandro is held by other lawyers.

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...

Blake R. Hanson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Blake R. practices law in Des Moines, Iowa Best Lawyers has recognized Blake R. Hanson since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Blake R. Hanson is held by other lawyers.

Jeffrey Ewoldt is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Jeffrey practices law in Des Moines, Iowa Best Lawyers has recognized Jeffrey Ewoldt since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jeffrey Ewoldt is held by other lawyers.