Lawyer Profile

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Peter W. Hansen

Hansen Law Offices
"Peter Hansen is smart, understanding, and has past experience against the defendant. I was looking for all of these things because I couldn't afford to lose. After several months of discussions with the insurance company, we received an amount that was beyond my wildest dreams. It is all thanks to Hansen Law Offices. I will definitely go back and tell others who need an experienced lawyer."

-Michael Johnson

"Returned to Hansen Law Office for a criminal issue. I'm very happy with the way Peter fought for me. It always makes a difference when you know someone is doing everything they can for you."

-Eric Sanders

Lawyer Bio

Have confidence in the law firm that has more than 37 years of experience and has earned several national awards and recognitions.

General Practice, Including but not Limited to: Accidents, Bankruptcy, Criminal Law, Legal Malpractice, Litigation, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Product Liability, Toxic Torts, Trial Law, and Wrongful Death.

Bar Admissions: Iowa, 1983; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa, 1985; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa, 1986; U.S. District Court, Western District of Illinois, 1988; U.S. District Court of Hawaii, 1989.

Education: University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City, Iowa, 1982 J.D.; University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 1979 B.A. Major: Philosophy; National College of District Attorneys, Denver, Colorado, 1985.

Military Service: U.S. Army, 1973-1976.

Work Experience: Contract Attorney at Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility, 2002-2015; Contract Attorney at Iowa State Penitentiary, 1991-2015; Attorney/Owner at Hansen Law Offices, 1985-present; Prosecuting Attorney at Lee County Attorney's Office, 1984-1986; Law Instructor at Southeastern Community College, 1984-1986.

Classes & Seminars Taught: Bankruptcy - Exceptions to Discharge, Des Moines County Bar Association, 2012; Bankruptcy Reform Act Update, Des Moines County Bar Association, 2006.

Memberships and Associations: Iowa State Bar Association; Des Moines County Bar Association; Million Dollar Advocates Forum, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

Read more on firm website

Education:

  • The University of Iowa , J.D., graduated 1982
  • The University of Iowa, B.A., graduated 1979

Bar Admissions:

  • Iowa, 1983
 

Court Admissions:

  • Iowa, 1983
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa, 1985
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa, 1986
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Illinois, 1988
  • U.S. District Court of Hawaii, 1989

Affiliations:

  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum - Member
  • Des Moines County Bar Association - Member
  • Iowa State Bar Association - Member
  • National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys - Member

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
 

Awards:

  • Martindale-Hubbell™—Platinum Client Champion Award
  • Super Lawyers™ - Great Plains Super Lawyer
  • America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys™
  • Premier Lawyers of America™
  • Marquis™—Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum™—Certified Member
  • The National Trial Lawyers Top 100™— Civil Plaintiff
  • Best Lawyers™—Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
  • U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers™ - Best Law Firms
  • Martindale-Hubbell™—Gold Client Champion Award
  • Martindale-Hubbell™—AV Preeminent Rated
  • Avvo™—Superb Rated Attorney
  • Martindale-Hubbell™—Client Distinction Award
  • Lawdragon™—Lawyer Limelight
  • Martindale-Hubbell™—30 Years Experience Recognition
  • Lawdragon™—Top 500 Leading Lawyers in America
  • Lawdragon™—Top 3000 Leading Lawyers in America

Additional Information:

 

Lawyer Client Comments

"Peter Hansen is smart, understanding, and has past experience against the defendant. I was looking for all of these things because I couldn't afford to lose. After several months of discussions with the insurance company, we received an amount that was beyond my wildest dreams. It is all thanks to Hansen Law Offices. I will definitely go back and tell others who need an experienced lawyer."

Michael Johnson

"Returned to Hansen Law Office for a criminal issue. I'm very happy with the way Peter fought for me. It always makes a difference when you know someone is doing everything they can for you."

Eric Sanders

Lawyer Practice Areas

Key:

Firm Details

Image for Hansen Law Offices View Firm Profile
Hansen Law Offices
http://www.attorneyhansen.com/
 
Headquarters
319 North Main Street
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 752.5515

Lawyer Case History

Recent Verdicts and Settlements by Hansen Law Offices

Recent Verdicts and Settlements by Hansen Law Offices:

$2,450,000.00 - settlement for auto accident

$1,247,000.00 - judgment for auto accident

$290,000.00 - settlement for industrial accident

$260,000.00 - settlement for auto accident

$200,000.00 - settlement for auto accident

$154,000.00 - verdict for breach of contract and lost earning capacity

$150,000.00 - slip and fall accident against casino

$100,000.00 - settlement for auto accident

$95,000.00 - settlement for auto accident

$55,000.00 - auto accident verdict

Personal Injury (car accident)/Products Liability

Personal Injury & Products Liability

Our law firm has prevailed in cases against national corporations such as DuPont and General Motors.

We have successfully negotiated and litigated hundreds of personal injury claims over the past 37 years. These cases range from automobile accidents, product liability issues, malpractice claims, and more.

Outcome: Settlement before trial. Description: The plaintiffs were a minor child and his mother who were driving in a motor vehicle that was struck by an oncoming car which resulted in serious permanent injuries to the child and his mother. The civil case was resolved against the other driver and the manufacturer of the plaintiff's vehicle for a seven-figure settlement.

Outcome: Judgment for a woman who was killed in a car accident in Lee County, IA. Awarded a judgment of $1.247 million in actual and punitive damages.

Criminal Law Defense

Criminal Law Defense

Feel secure and defended when you use our criminal law services. We have defended individuals charged with various felonies and misdemeanors in the Iowa District Court. Peter Hansen has extensive jury trial knowledge and is a former prosecutor with over 37 years of experience in criminal law/defense.

Outcome: Client was charged with sexually assaulting a child. The client was found not guilty by a jury.

Outcome: Client was facing 20 years in prison. The judge dismissed the felony sexual abuse charges.

Outcome: Client was facing aggravated assault charges and several years in prison. The jury found him not guilty.

Outcome: We represented a young man charged with attempted murder and willful injury. He was facing 35 years in prison. The main issues in this case were whether our client was justified in using deadly force in defending himself, and whether the police violated his due process rights by failing to preserve blood evidence left at the crime scene. In the end, the jury found that the defendant was totally justified and acquitted him of all charges (no prison time).

Outcome: Client was acquitted of assault based upon self-defense argument to jury.

Outcome: Client was charged with sexual harassment and was facing civil liability to the victim. After a lengthy trial, a jury acquitted client of all charges.

Outcome: Client was charged with first degree burglary and sexual assault. Client was facing decades of prison time. After several months of aggressive defense work, the charges were reduced to a simple misdemeanor with no jail time imposed.

Consumer Bankruptcy - Chapter 7

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy can be a long and intimidating process. Be sure to have an experienced attorney who can assist you in obtaining a court-ordered discharge of your debts.

It is important to understand which debts are subject to discharge, and which debts are not. Understanding how the bankruptcy process affects your property rights is also important. Many who file for Chapter 7 relief are allowed to keep their home, vehicles, and other personal property and still be granted a discharge of their unsecured debts.

Hansen Law Offices has filed thousands of consumer bankruptcy cases for over 37 years and is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

Married Couple Discharge of Unsecured Debts: Outcome: Full discharge of unsecured debts. Kept home and business. Description: Clients were a married couple with children who fell behind on their home and business-related debts. This was a result of significant credit card debt. Clients filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy relief, and were discharged of all their unsecured debt, thereby making their home and business payments affordable.