James L. "Jim" Pray

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...

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.

Justin LaVan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Justin practices law in Des Moines, Iowa Best Lawyers has recognized Justin LaVan since 2025. 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 Justin LaVan is held by other lawyers.

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.

Connie is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and is currently serving as the President of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers. In addition to healthcare litigation trials, she frequently appears before the Iowa Board of Medicine, the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and the Office of Inspector General on issues related to licensing, EMTALA, HIPAA, Medicare/Medicaid Fraud and Abuse. She has also represented both facilities and professionals on issues of credentialing and...

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...

David advises clients, including small business owners and professionals, in a broad range of business and tax areas including corporate and business mergers and acquisitions, tax and employee benefits counsel and estate succession planning. This includes the preparation of wills, trusts and related documents. He also assists owners, professionals and executives in the formation and structure of their businesses including contract and compliance matters, and formation of corporations, limited...

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.

Christine Bestor Townsend is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Christine practices law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Best Lawyers has recognized Christine Bestor Townsend since 2024. 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 Christine Bestor Townsend is held by oth...

Regular Speaker and Presenter for Continuing Legal Education on Estates, Trusts, Elder Law, Medicaid and Long Term Care Planning; Faculty for Iowa State Bar Association Bar Review Course On Probate, Estates and Trusts from 2000-Present Adjunct Professor Des Moines Area Community College Legal Assistant Program 1982-1984 Trust officer and bank counsel 1978-1980 Member, Iowa State Bar Association Section on: Probate