Contact Information: Direct Dial Office Phone: 515-237-1199
Mobile: 515-290-8607
Fax: 515-288-9409

Education:
Iowa State University, B.L.S. (emphasis in Political Science and English), with distinction, 2003.
University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 2006

Experience:
Associate Attorney with Newbrough Law Firm, Ames, Iowa 2006-2007
Staff Attorney with Iowa State University Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, Ames, Iowa, 2007-2011

Practice Areas:
General practice, including, but not limited to, agricultural law, estate planning, wills and trusts, probate law, environmental law, administrative law, and corporate/business law.

Professional Memberships:
American Agricultural Law Association
Iowa State Bar Association:

Agricultural Law Section

• Chair 2011-2012
• Section Council 2007-2012
• Legislative Committee 2010-2012

      Taxation Law Section

American Bar Association (Agricultural Law Committee)
Polk County Bar Association
Story County Legal Aid Board of Directors

Presentations and Publications:
Author of monthly column entitled “Farm Legal Issues” published in Wallaces Farmer.   
September 2011- “CDL Ruling Favorable to Farmers”- click link to read: Read Article Here
August 2011- “Good Reasons for Written Lease”- click link to read: Read Article Here
May 2011- “1099 Reporting Requirements Axed”- click link to read: Read Article Here

2011
Presentations:
Iowa Land Investment Expo, “Tax Aspects of Acquiring Land: Residual Soil Fertility,”West Des Moines, Iowa, January 2011
ISU Extension Farm Labor Conference, “Legal Aspects of Hiring Farm Workers” (Amanas)(Calmar), January 2011
ISU Extension “Annie’s Project,” Presented on Estate Planning, Farnhamville, Fairfield, Mt. Ayr, Iowa, February 2011
Women, Land, and Legacy Conference- Maquoketa, Iowa- “Legalities of Farm Leasing,” February 2011
Iowa State University Beginning Farm Center Ag Link- “Estate Planning,” Ames, Iowa, February 2011
Wind Energy Presentations- “Legal Aspects of Contracting and Wind Easements,” Le Mars, Iowa, February 2011
Iowa State Association of County Auditors- “Township Trustee Issues and Fencing,” Des Moines, Iowa, March 2011
Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting, “Agricultural Law Case Law Update,” Des Moines, Iowa, May 2011

Publications:
Sept. 2011- “U.S. Department of Labor Proposed Rules Relate to Young Farm Workers”- Read Article Here
Aug. 2011- “Federal Agency Backs Off- Operators of Farm Vehicles Not Subject to CDL Requirements”- Read Article Here
Apr. 2011- “Real Estate Transactions and Notice of Prior Acts Impacting Title”- Read Article Here

2010
Presentations:
Iowa State University Commercial Applicator’s Conference, “Legal Issues in Commercial Application,” Ames, Iowa, January 2010
Wind Energy Presentations (Holstein, Iowa) (Creston, Iowa) “Wind Energy Legal Issues,” February 2010
ISU Extension Crop Advantage, “Ag Law Update,” Mason City, Iowa, February 2010
Cornbelt Cow/Calf Conference, Township Trustee and Fencing Issues, Ottumwa, Iowa, February 2010
Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting- Ag Law Section Agricultural Law Case Law Update, Des Moines, Iowa, June 2010
Township Trustee Training Meeting, Chariton, Iowa, June 2010
Farm Bureau Grazing Conference, West Des Moines, Iowa “Fence laws,” August 2010
Farm Progress Show, ISU Extension Presentation, August 2010 
Iowa Society of Enrolled Agents, “Farm Tax Update,” September 2010
Realtor’s Land Institute, “Ag Real Estate Update,” October 2010
Federal Bankruptcy Conference, “Taxpayer Relief Act 2009,” Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 2010
ISU Extension ProAg Series” “Ag Law Update,”Altoona, Spencer, Sheldon, and Storm Lake, Iowa, November 2010
Iowa Forage and Grazing Council Annual Meeting, “Roundup Ready Alfalfa Issues,” Des Moines, Iowa, November 2010
Passion for Pigs Seminar, “Veterinary Law,” Columbia, Missouri, December 2010

Publications: 2007-2010
May 2010- “New Iowa Legislation Impacting Rural Landowners and Agricultural Businesses”- Read Article Here
Nov. 2010- “Major Landowner Win- Court Blocks U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Attempt to Extend Jurisdiction Over “Prior Converted” Wetland”- Read Article Here
July 2009- “Force Majeure and Nonperformance Under Hog Production Contracts”- Read Article Here
March 2009- “Payment Limit Rules under the 2008 Farm Bill- Planning Implications for Producers”- Read Article Here
August 2007- “USDA Administrative Appeals- Its More Than Just Going Through the Motions”- Read Article Here