Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.

Davis Brown Law Firm voted Best Law Firm in Des Moines

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Davis Brown Law Firm was voted Best Law Firm in Des Moines 2010 by the readers of the Business Record.

The firm has had much to celebrate in 2010 including growth to 77 attorneys; recognition of firm president Sharon Malheiro by the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Civic Leadership Award winner and Business Record Women of Influence; Scott Brennan was named to the Democratic National Committee; Frank Carroll is the President of the Iowa State Bar Association; active membership in local civic groups; and recent growth in banking, securities, finance, health, communications, and litigation.

Second Annual Business Seminar for Business Owners and Managers

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

An opportunity for education and analysis of recent economic events on your business. Davis Brown attorneys will investigate areas of importance in an open forum with participants. Seminar materials will be provided for your notes and reference. We invite any employees, officers or directors of your organization who may benefit from the interactive discussion.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Northwest
4800 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale, IA 50322 | 515- 278-4755

10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Registration
1:15 p.m. to 4:35 p.m. Sessions

11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Welcome, Lunch, and Keynote featuring Russell Jensen and Michelle Clark, Ph.D., Jensen Consulting

One of the most important tasks any company needs to complete, whether a family business or public company, is succession planning. Russell Jensen and Michelle Clark, Ph.D., from Jensen Consulting provide succession planning guidance to all types of businesses. They will discuss the people aspects of succession planning which are often more difficult than the financial or legal concerns. Their topics will include future needs of the business, developing the next generation of leaders by building bench strength, promoting from within the business, and bringing in the external candidate.

1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Various Types of Capital and How it is Raised
David B. VanSickel, Beverly Evans, Bill Hanigan, John S. Long, Robert W. Dixon, and Mark D. Wickham

What are the most important rules for collecting and spending other people’s money? When do you need a broker’s license? Can you pay commissions or finder’s fees to unlicensed agents? Do you need a disclosure document for every investor? What government financing programs are available to support your business? The firm’s securities practice group answers these and other questions facing entrepreneurs in today’s marketplace.

Data Privacy in a Digital World
John C. Pietila and Christopher S. Talcott

Your company has access to an ever-expanding array of information about your customers. Access to this data provides new opportunities and creates new legal risks. John and Chris will provide an overview of the current (and changing) legal landscape, including best practices for collecting, processing, using, and disclosing customer data.

Estate Planning in Uncertain Times
Bruce I. Campbell, Margaret Van Houten, and Thomas J. Houser

Congress has still not taken action on the estate tax. How do you deal with this uncertainty in 2010, and what will you need to do if a $1 million exemption becomes the law in 2011? Our senior estate planning attorneys will discuss these issues along with other timely topics affecting individuals.

2:25 p.m. to 3:25 p.m.
Health Care Reform & Your Business
Susan J. Freed

Do you currently provide health benefits to employees or are you considering it? Perhaps you don’t provide health insurance to employees but are worried that you may now be required to. This session, tailored to non-HR professionals, will provide an overview of the key provisions in the recently passed health care reform legislation.

Employment Law and Best Practices for Non-HR Professionals
Jo Ellen Whitney and Becky S. Knutson

Update your knowledge and discuss issues that concern employers. Jo Ellen and Becky will review changes in the law, best practices, and recurring issues that face employers and employees in today’s workplace.

Data Privacy in a Digital World
REPEAT SESSION

3:35 p.m. to 4:35 p.m.
Trends in Corporate Law
Robert A. (Beau) Gamble, Frank J. Carroll, Kent A. Herink, Jason M. Stone, and Emily E. Harris

A blue-ribbon panel of corporate, finance, and intellectual property attorneys will discuss recent changes and trends in the law affecting many of our business clients. The panel will discuss recent changes in IP law relating to business process patents, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (it is more than a change to the laws affecting banks), and trends in mergers and acquisitions including recent attacks on the Iowa Business Corporation Act.

Health Care Reform & Your Business
REPEAT SESSION

Estate Planning in Uncertain Times
REPEAT SESSION

RSVP by visiting http://tinyurl.com/businessseminar and register by Friday, September 3, 2010.
If you have any questions, contact leannasulzner@davisbrownlaw.com or call 515.471.5125.

This event is a no-fee seminar provided as a professional service only to Davis Brown Law Firm clients, employees, officers and directors.

The Davis Brown Law Firm Congratulates Sharon Malheiro for 20 Years of Service

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Sharon Malheiro is a senior shareholder of the Davis Brown Law Firm. Sharon practices in the areas of Employment Law, including employment discrimination litigation, EEO/AA, and corporate employment policies and practices, as well as Media and Communications Law. Sharon’s legal work in the Media and Communications Law practice includes open records and open meetings litigation as well as defamation defense actions. Sharon is current President of the Firm’s Board of Directors.

You can read the full article at the Business Record website.

The Davis Brown Law Firm Congratulates Mark Walz for 25 Years of Service

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Mark is a senior shareholder of the Davis Brown Law Firm and a member of the Business Division. Mark practices in the areas of Commercial Law, Bankruptcy Law and Business Litigation.

Jeffrey A. Baker Joins the Davis Brown Law Firm

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Jeffrey A. Baker joined the Davis Brown Law Firm on July 13, 2010 as special counsel in the business division's employment and labor law department. He has a general practice including but not limited to workers compensation. Baker has practiced for over twenty years and is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell.

Charlie Wittmack interviewed by Chuck Offenburger

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Davis Brown attorney and The World Tri adventurer Charlie Wittmack was intereviewed by Chuck Offenburger for the Iowa Farm Bureau "Family Living" magazine's June 2010 edition. The extended article can be read on Offenburger's website, www.offenburger.com. Click for the direct link to the story.

Michael G. Kulik Celebrated his 40th Anniversary at the Davis Brown Law Firm

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Michael G. Kulik celebrated his 40th anniversary at the Davis Brown Law Firm in June. He is a senior shareholder of the Des Moines, Iowa law firm working with telecommunications and non-profits. He is active with the Greater Des Moines Partnership 2030 Transit Task Force and counsel to the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines.

Deborah M. Tharnish Celebrated her 30th Anniversary at the Davis Brown Law Firm

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Deborah M. Tharnish celebrated her 30th anniversary at the Davis Brown Law Firm in June. She is a senior shareholder of the Des Moines, Iowa law firm working with employment and litigation clients. She is active with the Iowa State Alumni Association, Iowa Legal Aid, and the University of Iowa Law School Foundation.

Charlie Wittmack World Tri Sendoff June 29

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The World Tri Sendoff party starts at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, June 29th at the Iowa Hall of Pride, 330 Park Street, Des Moines, IA (next to Hy-Vee Hall downtown). At 9:30 Charlie will address students from across Des Moines as they gather to refocus their aspirations and dreams for the future. At 10:30 Charlie and the team will host a brief press conference and take questions from the public.

Learn more about the World Tri at http://www.theworldtri.com/.

Nikki Mordini speaking at Polk County Bar Association Summer General Practice CLE

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Davis Brown attorney Nikki Mordini will be speaking about immigration law at the Polk County Bar Association Summer General Practice CLE on Friday, June 18, 2010. Mordini is an associate in the immigration department whose practice includes removal / deportation, criminal and family law.

Chambers 2010 Rankings

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Davis Brown Law Firm has been recognized by Chambers USA as one of the top law firms in Des Moines, Iowa in six areas of law. Sixteen Davis Brown attorneys have been honored as well. Chambers USA, based in London, covers all the major practice areas at national levels, as well as, the key specializations within each State. These independent legal rankings are the culmination of years of diligent research. Personal interviews, surveys and referrals are used to establish these rankings, and they are reviewed annually to ensure cutting-edge legal practice.

Congratulations to newly listed attorneys including Beverly Evans, Robert A. (Beau) Gamble, Becky S. Knutson, Lori T. Chesser, and Gary M. Myers.

The full guide is available on the Chambers USA website and Davis Brown info can be found here.

Corporate/M&A (Band 2):
Beverly Evans (Band 4)
Bruce I. Campbell (Band 3)
Donald J. Brown (Band S)
Frank J. Carroll (Band 1)
Jason M. Stone (Band U)
John D. Shors (Band S)

Corporate/M&A: Banking and Finance
Robert A. Gamble (Band 2)

Labor & Employment (Band 2):
Becky S. Knutson (Band 3)
Deborah M. Tharnish (Band 2)
Gene R. La Suer (Band 2)
Sharon K. Malheiro (Band 2)

Labor & Employment: Immigration
Lori T. Chesser (Band 1)

Litigation: General Commercial (Band 2)
Deborah M. Tharnish (Band 2)

Real Estate (Band 2)
David M. Erickson (Band 2)
Gary M. Myers (Band 4)
Robert J. Douglas (Band 1)

Davis Brown Summer Associates 2010

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Davis Brown Law Firm recognizes the summer associates for 2010. The summer associate program serves as a primary source for new associate attorneys and allows them to participate with shareholders and associates on challenging, sophisticated and complex cases and transactions.

Pictured, left to right: Brett Marshall, University of Iowa College of Law; Emily Schmitt, University of Iowa College of Law; Victoria McDonald, University of Iowa College of Law; Jana Luttenegger, University of Iowa College of Law; and Ann Naiffer, Drake University Law School.

Davis Brown Brochure

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

If you are looking for more information about Davis Brown, we have an online version of our brochure for you to download. Filled with information about our attorneys, legal services, history, and community, we showcase our new offices in stunning photography.

Click on "download associated document" for an electronic copy of the 2010 Davis Brown Law Firm brochure.

Charlie Wittmack Launches The World Tri

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Charlie Wittmack introduced the team, supporters, and mission behind The World Tri at a press conference at the YMCA Health Living Center in Clive, Iowa. While the headlines in the news are about a 12,000 mile triathlon from London, England to the top of the world, Mount Everest, the mission is about wellness, education, and global health and equality for women and children.

Mercy Hospitals and Clinics Vice President Joe LaValley outlined a program where participants across Iowa will attempt to "lap Wittmack" with their own Everest dreams and physical fitness activities. Des Moines University President Dr. Yogesh Shah elaborated that the program will provide needed maternal health information and training in Nepal, where nearly 830 women out of 100,000 women die during childbirth.

Learn more about the World Tri at www.theworldtri.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theworldtri

Charles Wittmack Guest Speaker at Light of Wellness Awards

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Charles Wittmack will be the guest speaker at the Iowa Wellness Council Light of Wellness Awards Dinner on Thursday, April 15 2010 at the Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines. Wittmack will speak about his global health mission and upcoming World Tri in 2010-2011.

More information can be found at the Iowa Wellness Council website at http://www.wellnessiowa.org/.

Neal Smith Book "Hanging Out In Bur Oak" Mentioned in Des Moines Register Biz Buzz

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Davis Brown of counsel attorney Neal Smith's book "Hanging Out In Bur Oak" was mentioned in the Des Moines Register Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Biz Buzz column by Lynn Hicks and Dave Elbert. The book is a fictional story of his childhood while growing up during the great depression.

Smith also authored "Mr. Smith Went To Washington," about his political career.

The article can be found on the Des Moines Register website at www.desmoinesregister.com.

The books can be found at The Book Store at 606 Locust in Des Moines.

Steve Morain Featured in Business Record Article "The Unretired"

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Davis Brown attorney Steve Morain was featured on a cover story in the Saturday, March 13, 2010 edition of the Business Record. "The Unretired," by Kent Darr, featured businesspeople in Des Moines who retired from successful careers, only to reemerge in new roles with leading local businesses.

Morain, retired after 30 years at FBL Financial Group in 2008, and joined Davis Brown in 2009 in business organizations and transactions, finance and securities, and insurance. He became the executive director of the Iowa Insurance Institute in September, 2009.

The article may be found on the Business Record website at www.businessrecord.com.

Sharon Malheiro Featured in Des Moines Register Leadership Series

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Davis Brown attorney Sharon Malheiro was featured in Lynn Hicks' Iowans on Leadership series on Sunday, March 7, 2010. The Des Moines Register business series focuses on leaders within business and the community.

Malheiro touched on the collegiality of Davis Brown and ability of the firm's leaders to create an environment that encourages teamwork and promote individual leadership within the firm and community.

Davis Brown hired eight attorneys in 2009, including veterans Bill Hanigan (renewable fuels, business), Steve Morain (insurance, lobbying, business, corporate), and Tom Stanberry (banking, securities, business, corporate).

The article may be found on the Des Moines Register website at www.desmoinesregister.com.

Charles Wittmack Featured in Premier Edition of Iowa Endurance Magazine

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Charles N. Wittmack was featured in the premier edition of Iowa Endurance Sports Magazine. Wittmack will be publicly launching his global health mission and The World Tri in late March, 2010.

More information can be found at www.iowamomentum.com

Neal Smith Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner

info@lawiowa.com (Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Neal Smith Entrepreneur of the Year Award was given to Gina Blean and Kelly Heysinger, owners of Dubuque-based Unified Therapy Services. The award was established to recognize entrepreneurs and honor the Iowa Congressman and Davis Brown Of Counsel attorney for his involvement in establishing the Small Business Development Center in Iowa. The awards were presented at a ceremony at the State Capitol Building on February 3, 2010.