I am a proud, lifelong Iowan.
After graduating high school in my hometown of Ottumwa, I attended Simpson College in Indianola to study multimedia journalism. An internship as a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register turned into a full-time job on the courts beat that took me to all corners of Iowa to cover criminal and civil trials. In my four years reporting on Iowa courts, I honed an ability to translate the esoteric language of the law into a form easily understood by everyday Iowans.
At Drake University Law School, I served as a member of the Drake Law Review and graduated with highest honors in 2020. My signature research project focused on protecting the rights of injured Iowans who find themselves under hostile surveillance from an employer or workers’ compensation insurer.
In my civil practice, I strive to empower clients and make them feel comfortable throughout the litigation process. A client’s case is not simply about an injury or a negative experience at work. These events reverberate throughout clients’ lives and have profound effects on their families, futures, and even their self-esteem and sense of self-worth. I work to make sure clients have the information and confidence needed to navigate each facet of a case.
In my criminal defense practice, I have achieved success for clients both at trial and through strategic pretrial litigation resulting in the suppression of prosecution evidence and the dismissal of charges. I begin every case with a thorough investigation of the facts with an eye toward building the strongest defense possible to present at trial or leverage during the plea bargaining process. I understand the permanent effects that even a simple misdemeanor arrest can have on a client’s life and believe every Iowan charged with a crime deserves an attorney who will protect their interests with zeal.
My wife, Megan, and I were married in August 2020 and live in West Des Moines. In my free time, you can find me enjoying live music with my friends and family or somewhere in the Iowa countryside with our black Labrador retriever, Magnolia, and a shotgun or fishing rod in hand.
Education
- Drake University Law School, 2020 Juris Doctorate
- Highest Honors
- Order of the Coif
Recognition
- Iowa Association of Justice 2015 Excellence in Journalism Award, for reporting on Iowa drug courts
- Eagle Scout, Troop 11, Ottumwa, Iowa
Professional and Community Affiliations
- Iowa State Bar Association
- Iowa Association for Justice