Spencer S. Cady

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.

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...

William S. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. William, who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. William practices as Smith & Kramer, P.C. and Of Counsel to Dickinson, Bradshaw, Fowler & Hagen, P.C....

L. Lars Hulsebus is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Lars, 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 Lars is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. At Dickinson Bradshaw, Lars advocates for clients in high-stakes disputes of all kinds. Over more than a decade as a civil liti...

Theodore W. Craig is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation and Controversy - Tax. Ted, who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Theodore W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Ted handles commercial litigation and related business matters for businesses and i...

Abigail Wallace is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Abigail, 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 Abigail is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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 ...

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.

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...

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...