Thornburg Lawyers

I'm Tim Semelroth. I'm a board-certified trial attorney in Iowa, and I fight for fairness for Iowans who have been injured because of someone else's fault. My firm handles personal injury and workers' compensation cases, as well as denied Social Security Disability claims and employment law matters. If you need someone to fight for fairness for you, contact me today.

Mark Thompson practices criminal defense law in Iowa City and the surrounding areas in Eastern Iowa. He has been operating his own firm, practicing in criminal law, since 2005. He has represented clients in over 2,000 criminal cases, with a majority of these cases being OWI / DUI. Mark has also handled contract defense cases for the Iowa State Public Defender, served as defense counsel for the Johnson County Drug Treatment Court, and served as a Judicial Magistrate. Now he focuses solely on his private criminal law practice.

Melvin O. Shaw is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law (2004). He has a Master’s in journalism from the UI, and a B.S. in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Melvin has been a solo practitioner since he opened his law firm in 2006. Melvin will serve a one-year term as president of the Iowa State Bar Association starting June 2024. He is Chair of the Iowa Judicial Qualifications Commission and has served on the JQC since 2018. Melvin was appointed to the Lawyers Trust Account Commission 2024-2027 under an order of...

My name is Pressley and I am a trial lawyer. The only thing I am before that is a father of my two sons. I have worked hard to live authentically in all aspects of my life. I always try to grow and learn. This has been true in my lawyering as well as my personal life – they are, in many ways, one in the same – because I am who I am, whether at home, meeting with clients, or in the courtroom.

Experience Counselor with more than 30 years experience advising clients in stressful and difficult circumstances

Attorney George B. Jones is the founder and owner of the The Law Office of George B. Jones, PLLC, in Lamoni, Iowa. A top-rated, award-winning trial lawyer with more than 35 years of legal experience, Mr. Jones devotes his practice primarily to personal injury, including car wrecks, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, work injuries, medical negligence, wrongful death, slip and fall, and other injury cases. During his extensive career he has tried hundreds of cases, and taught law courses at Graceland University, and trained prosecutors, judges and attorneys in trial practice techniques. No matter the issues his clients are facing or how...

Craig Nierman mediates and arbitrates complex insurance, tort, and healthcare claims. His quarter-century of litigation experience includes representing plaintiffs and defendants—including hospitals, individuals and families, insurers, domestic and international businesses, as well as government entities—in jury trials, appeals, and arbitrations. His insurance experience includes: First party claims; Third party cases; Extracontractual damages; Agent/broker errors and omissions; ERISA; Subrogation; and Carrier/producer disputes. His health law practice has involved complex reimbursement and revenue cycle issues (e.g., experimental, medical necessity, and exclusion questions), medical malpractice and devices, primary and secondary payor conflicts, provider contracts, and HIPAA compliance. He previously taught Insurance Law as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Iowa College of Law....

Growing up I learned how to serve client interests from my father and grandfather, who are both attorneys in northeast Iowa. They taught me to take a hands-on approach to learning and to work hard to understand the underlying causes of a conflict, not just address the immediate problem. I applied that philosophy throughout my academic and professional education by learning the construction industry beginning as a carpenter and then architectural intern at OPN Architects, SOM, and Kahler Slater Architects. After I earned my Bachelors of Architecture from Iowa State University and my Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa,...

My name is Scott Shoemaker, and I am your Personal Family Lawyer. I grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My youth and young adulthood were spent pursuing my dream of becoming a classical musician. I went so far as to earn degrees in music from Coe College, University of Nebraska, and the University of Iowa. I even spent a few years teaching at a couple of different institutions of high education. Along the way, I realized my real passion was helping other people bring about their dreams. So I ended up in law school. While I was a student at Nebraska Law,...

Restoring hope, one client at a time. As an Iowa disability lawyer, I am driven by that one goal; it has been my personal and professional mission since I first began representing disabled Iowans in 1996. Prior to that, I worked for the Social Security Administration, as one of their attorneys in NYC. I have seen first-hand how a large government bureaucracy can frustrate and confuse even the most determined claimant. I am driven to restore hope to disabled Iowans as I guide them through Social Security disability process.

Michael Boomershine grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Drake University for his undergraduate studies, majoring in Political Science and English while minoring in Philosophy. After developing an interest in law during his time at Drake University, Michael decided to pursue a legal education at Drake University Law School.

During law school, Michael was a member of the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, where he served as a Note Editor. He was published in the Spring of 2017 for his writing on the topic of family farming operations and Iowa law. Michael also participated in the Drake University Legal Clinic;...

When facing a family law matter or divorce, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. Having a compassionate and knowledgeable attorney like myself, Craig Lavrenz, can offer reassurance during such challenging times. I am a dedicated Senior Associate Attorney at Stange Law Firm, based in our Cedar Rapids, Iowa, family law office. I am committed to assisting clients throughout Linn County and the Cedar Rapids Area. I earned my Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. During my law school years, I served as President of the Student Veterans Association, Vice President of the Family Law Society, and was a Member of...

At Arenson Law Group, PC, you will find forward-thinking, progressive, and open attorneys who work hard with your best interests in mind. At our law firm you will find modern art, sleek brushed aluminum, and lots of light, unlike the traditional law office. Arenson Law Group, PC attorneys handle cases throughout Iowa and focus on practices such as: Business Law, Corporate Law, Family Law, Criminal Law, and Bankruptcy.

I have been a practicing patent attorney for over 15 years with a background in physics and engineering. I run my own firm Patwrite Law that specializes in working with private inventors and small businesses. I taught high school physics for many years before going to law school I build and fly RC airplanes for fun.

Raphael (Ray) Scheetz founded the Law Offices of Raphael M. Scheetz in 1994 to focus his attention on the practice of criminal defense and immigration cases. Mr. Scheetz has successfully represented hundreds of clients. The cases included persons who want to apply to become American citizens, and American citizens who want to petition for their spouse, fiancée, children, parents, or brothers or sisters that live outside of the United States. Mr. Scheetz has also successfully represented hundreds of persons accused of Federal and State criminal offenses. He has been lead defense counsel in approximately ninety jury trials in State...

Jessica Malott is the owner and managing partner of Malott Law, PLC, and practices primarily in immigration. Jessica earned her Juris Doctor, with honors, in 2006 from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa. During law school, she worked as an intern at the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) and was Editor-in-Chief of the Drake Law Review. Since graduating, Jessica has worked as a law clerk, federal government attorney, law school career advisor, and private practice attorney.

In her current practice, she focuses primarily on removal defense in Immigration Court and family-based immigration; however, she also takes an assortment...

At Johnston, Stannard, Klesner, Burbidge & Fitzgerald, P.L.C., our Iowa City criminal defense attorneys have more than 50 years of combined experience providing our community with excellent legal advocacy in criminal law. We’re thoughtful, skilled and resourceful legal professionals prepared to fight for your rights and protect your best interests wherever your case may take you.

At age 14, I began working for my grandfather in the concrete construction business during the summer school break. The work was hard, hot, and long, but provided me with framework for my character. My grandfather always told me to get a good education so I did not have to do hard labor for the rest of my life. I graduated from Newton High school in 1990 and played on the 1988 state 4A runner-up football team. After I graduated from high school, my mother purchased an appliance store and I began working on...

H. Edwin Detlie has practiced law in Ottumwa since 1982; before that, he was an Administrative Law Judge with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission for several years. Mr. Detlie is a former President of the Iowa Association of Workers' Compensation Lawyers, and is Chair of the Iowa State Bar Association's Law Practice Management Committee. He has spoken at national, regional and State conferences on workers' compensation and Social Security Disability, and is a member of the Larson's National Workers' Compensation Advisory Board for LexisNexis, the world's largest legal publisher.

Thomas D. S. Farnsworth was born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa. Thomas received a Bachelor of Business Administration, in Finance, from the University of Iowa and the Henry B. Tippie College of Business. During Thomas' undergraduate experience he clerked at a local law firm and worked as a pretrial interviewer for the Sixth Judicial District of Iowa. In 2004 Thomas began the accelerated program in at the University of Iowa College of Law and graduated in December of 2006. While in law school Thomas was licensed by the Iowa Supreme Court to work as a prosecuting legal intern. Thomas...

Gary has been working with individuals and families to help with their estate and tax planning for almost thirty years. He has a robust tax practice, preparing both individual and fiduciary returns. With this background, he also advises his clients on their estate planning, bringing his areas of expertise together to draft comprehensive plans that accomplish their goals. Gary also facilitates trust and estate administration, and so further helps families carry out their plans. In his career, Gary has worked with multiple generations, providing guidance and counsel on issues relating to finances, taxes, wealth transfer, and almost everything in between.

Originally...

I am a Waterloo, Iowa native practicing exclusively in family law. I received my BA from the University of Iowa in 2010 where I majored in English and graduated with honors. In 2014, I graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law and was admitted to practice in Iowa in September. I am currently a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, the Linn County Bar Association, and the Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court. I currently serve as secretary of the Linn Law Club. I love to travel and experience new places. I have previously lived in...

Born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa, I graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1998. I went on to Knox College where I obtained my B.A. in History, graduating in 2002. I then went to Drake University School of Law, graduating in December 2004. I have lived and practiced in Linn County since 2005, practicing in 40 counties throughout Eastern Iowa.

Born in raised in St. Louis, Missouri, I made my way to Iowa in 2009 to attend Drake University. I obtained a Bachelors Degree in Law, Politics and Society in 2012 and went on to attend Drake University Law School and graduated in 2016. I sat for and passed the Iowa Bar Exam in September 2016 and moved to Cedar Rapids shortly after to begin working for Viner Law Firm. In November 2019, I became a shareholder in the firm.

My primary areas of practice include Family Law and Criminal Defense. I am always accepting new clients so please reach...

Hometown: Deerfield, IL
Education: Indiana University, B.A., 2010
De Paul University, J.D., 2015
Admitted to Iowa Bar 2015
Areas of Practice:
Civil: Dissolution of Marriage/Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Name Change
Criminal: OWI/DUI, DOT matters, Juvenile, Possession Controlled Substance, General Criminal Defense
Appellate: Criminal and Civil
Associations:
Iowa Bar Association, 2015 to present
Linn County Bar Association, 2016 to present
NACDA Top 10 under 40 Criminal Law 2017



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As a licensed attorney in both Iowa and California, Adam Pollack has been practicing law since 1998. As a former prosecutor for Johnson County (Iowa City area), Adam Pollack has an experienced and nuanced view regarding the complexities of the criminal justice system. Pollack has practiced criminal defense in Iowa for over a decade.

Dean grew up on a grain and livestock farm near Iowa City, passed the Certified Public Accountant exam, and focuses on pre-death estate planning and post-death trust/estate administration. His practice includes (i) establishing revocable (living) trusts to avoid probate and facilitate privacy, (ii) creating wills, trusts and retirement-account beneficiary designations with customized provisions to accomplish family-specific goals, such as delaying inheritances for immature beneficiaries, (iii) implementing powers of attorney for finances and for healthcare/medical directives (living wills), and (iv) administering probate estates and trusts and filing the necessary tax returns.

Tom was born and raised in Iowa City. He received his BA degree from Harvard University in 1975 and then returned home to attend the University of Iowa College of Law. After completing law school in 1978, Tom joined the law firm where he has been a partner since 1983. Tom represents individuals, businesses and tax-exempt organizations on a variety of legal matters principally in areas of business and transactional law, including contracts, real estate, business and non-profit entities, estate and gift planning, administration of trusts and estates, healthcare, and charitable foundations. In addition to his legal practice, Tom has...

Jessica maintains a civil litigation and trial law practice dedicated to defending hospitals and medical professionals. She also represents licensed health care professionals and medical institutions in connection with administrative investigations and complaints. Jessica has extensive trial experience having done more than two dozen criminal and civil jury trials. She has also handled criminal and civil appeals to the Iowa Court of Appeals and the Iowa Supreme Court.

Jessica was born and raised in Iowa City. She attended the University of Oklahoma for her undergraduate studies and then returned to Iowa for law school. After receiving her JD, Jessica practiced for...

Will was born in raised in the Iowa City area and obtained his undergraduate degrees and his law degree from the University of Iowa. He was admitted to the practice of law in Iowa in 2005 and has successfully argued cases before the Iowa Court of Appeals and the Iowa Supreme Court. He is also admitted to practice in all federal courts in Iowa. His diverse practice includes business litigation, real estate litigation, personal injury and wrongful death litigation, divorce and child custody litigation, landlord-tenant law, business formation and acquisition, and representing creditors in bankruptcy proceedings.

Will lives in Iowa City...

Dan was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 2004, and has been practicing law in Iowa and throughout the United States since then. Shortly after graduating from law school, Dan had his first felony jury trial, which resulted in an acquittal on a forgery charge in Johnson County, Iowa. Two years later, Dan represented a woman facing child endangerment charges and gained valuable jury trial experience on a case that he argued all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court (State v. Mitchell, 757 N.W.2d 431, Iowa 2008).

Dan’s next appearance before the Iowa Supreme Court resulted in...

Dick was admitted to the practice of law in Iowa in 1975. He has spent the last 40 years as a trial lawyer focused on representing health care professionals and institutions in medical malpractice litigation and regulatory proceedings. He has also successfully argued cases before the Iowa Court of Appeals and the Iowa Supreme Court. In recognition of his skills as a trial lawyer and the respect he has among lawyers on both sides of lawsuits, Dick has been elected by his peers to membership in the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Dick was...

Pope grew up in Iowa City and, after attending college at Wesleyan University in Connecticut and working in the technology industry in San Francisco, California, returned to Iowa to pursue a career in law. After graduating with his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2003, he started his legal practice at Phelan Tucker Law Offices, where he continues his successful litigation practice. He primarily practices in the field of medical malpractice defense, health care law and represents the interests of healthcare professionals. He is admitted to practice in the State of Iowa and is a...

Carolyn (“Dazi”) Russell Wallace was born and raised in Iowa City. She left to attend college in North Carolina, returned to Iowa City for law school, and began practicing at the firm in October 2013.

Carolyn maintains a general law practice that includes both transactional and litigation components. On the transactional side, Carolyn assists clients with estate planning, real estate matters, reviewing and negotiating contracts, and other general transactional issues. Carolyn’s litigation practice focuses on defending physicians in medical malpractice cases. Carolyn particularly enjoys legal research and writing, and she routinely assists clients with appellate matters.

In her free time, Carolyn likes...

Bruce is proud to have actively participated in a wide range of professional and volunteer groups throughout his career, including The American College of Trial Lawyers (State Committee), Iowa Defense Counsel (President), Defense Update Magazine (Board of Editors), American Board of Trial Advocates (member), and The Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (Midwest Regional Membership Chair & Board of Directors). Bruce is a past president of the Iowa State Bar Association and continues to serve on the administrative committee. He is also a member of the Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission and serves as the chair of the Language Access...

Derek Hong is a founding partner of Hong Law, PLC. At Hong Law, PLC, the attorneys are dedicated in providing bankruptcy litigation. Derek attended the University of Iowa, where he received his J.D. Whether you are looking for assistance with the Means Test or debt negotiations, the attorneys at Hong Law, PLC know what it takes to get you through this challenging time. Contact us today at (319) 632-1400 to speak to a member of our team.