Sophie Wanek

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.

Joseph Moser is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Litigation - Health Care. Joseph, who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Justin LaVan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Justin, who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Clarifying complexities and approaching litigation from common ground. That’s Mollie Pawlosky’s foundation for building client relationships. “Clients don’t let their passions dictate their business decisions,” Mollie explains. “It’s my goal to ensure clients don’t let their passions dictate their decisions during litigation.” Through her commercial litigation practice, Mollie walks clients through complex litigation such as commercial for...

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...

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.

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.

Russell L. Samson practices primarily in the area of employment law, including traditional labor law, exclusively representing employers in the private sector. He advises clients in the areas of union representation, unfair labor practices, negotiating contracts and union grievances. He also counsels, advises and represents employers in personnel matters ranging from policy creation and documentation, restructuring of personnel to investigating, responding to and defending against claims of u...

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...

Erik Bergeland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Health Care, Litigation - Insurance and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Erik, who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erik is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.