Alumni Notes 2014

Michael Lowry, LW'07, elected shareholder

Michael Lowry has been elected as a shareholder at Thorndal Armstrong Delk Balkenbush & Eisinger based in Reno, Nev. Lowry joined the law firm in 2007 and has developed a successful litigation practice representing clients in Nevada.

Ellen Essman, LW'14, wins writing award from American Agricultural Law Association

Ellen Essman was the recipient of the 2014 American Agricultural Law Association award for best student article related to agricultural law. Essman’s note, "The Ohio Livestock Care Standards as a Blueprint for Livestock Welfare Policy," was published in the Fall 2013 issue of the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law.

Michael Lowry, AS’03, LW’07, writes blog honored by ABA Journal

Michael Lowry's blog, "Compelling Discovery," was included among the country’s top 100 legal blogs for 2014, as determined by the editors of the ABA Journal. This is the second time the ABA Journal has honored this blog. Lowry is a litigator and trial attorney in the Las Vegas office of Thorndal Armstrong Delk Balkenbush & Eisinger.

Laura Mommsen, LW'07, joins Hupy and Abraham

Hupy and Abraham, S.C., P.C., a personal injury law firm, announced that attorney Laura L. Mommsen has joined the firm in the Des Moines office. Prior to joining the firm, Mommsen successfully arbitrated numerous cases as an attorney for the state of Iowa. She will be representing Hupy and Abraham clients in various personal injury areas.

Ed Cox, LW'09, joins Orsborn, Milani and Goedken, LLP

The law firm of Orsborn, Milani, Mitchell and Goedken, LLP, announced the addition of attorney Ed Cox to the firm's Centerville office. Cox will handle general practice matters with a focus on estate planning, real estate, and agricultural law.

Constance Cohen, ED'72, ED'79, LW'87, receives 2014 Michele A. Moore Award of Distinction

The Polk County Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) Council recently recognized The Honorable Constance Cohen with their top honor, the 2014 Michele A. Moore Award of Distinction, for her commitment to serving the children and families as a judge on the juvenile court bench in the Fifth Judicial District of Iowa.

Danya Keller, LW'14, joins Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C.

Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that Danya M. Keller has joined the firm as an associate attorney in the litigation practice group in the Des Moines, Iowa office. She works with clients on various civil litigation matters in areas including labor and employment law, family law, and insurance law.

Lindsey Purdy, LW'13, makes "The Annual List" of young professionals

Lindsey Purdy, an associate at Klatt Law Group, PC, in Des Moines, was named to "The Annual List" by the American Legal and Financial Network (ALFN). The list was created by the the ALFN’s Junior Professionals & Executives Group, which represents the best and brightest of the mortgage banking trade association’s attorney/trustee, associate, and servicer members.

Kathleen Richardson, LW'02, named dean of Drake's School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Kathleen Richardson, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) at Drake University, has been promoted to dean of the school, effective immediately. Since 1997, Richardson has been teaching journalism courses at Drake and was appointed director of the SJMC in 2007.

Gov. Branstad appoints Dustria Relph, LW'05, district court judge

Gov. Terry Branstad appointed Dustria Ann Relph as district court judge in the Fifth Judicial District. Relph is currently working in private practice and previously worked as a registered nurse.

Thomas Viner, LW'04, opens Viner Law Firm

Thomas Viner has opened his own firm, Viner Law Firm PC, in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The new firm's primary focus is family law and criminal defense.

Whitfield & Eddy attorneys named to The Best Lawyers in America 2015

Six Drake Law alumni at Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. were selected for The Best Lawyers in America 2015. The honorees are David D. Nelson, LW’80; Greg Naylor, LW’78 (2015 “Lawyer of the Year”); David L. Phipps, LW’69; Kara M. Sinnard, LW'02; Sally Reavely, LW’88; and Anjela A. Shutts, LW'96 (2015 “Lawyer of the Year” in Des Moines).

Brandon Clark, LW'10, featured in the Register's YP Spotlight

Brandon Clark was featured in The Des Moines Register's "Young Professional Spotlight." Clark is a practicing music lawyer focusing on legal issues in the music industry and represents many local and Midwestern bands.

Todd H. Lahr, GR'86, LW'86, listed in Who's Who among Practicing Attorneys and Who's Who in American Law

Todd H. Lahr has been listed in "Who's Who among Practicing Attorneys" and "Who's Who in American Law." Lahr is an attorney and founder of the law firm Lahr & Lahr and has been named president of Onslow Holdings Inc., an international business focusing on mining, energy, and real estate acquisitions.

Troy Bozarth, LW'96, named president-elect of Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel

Troy Bozarth, partner with HeplerBroom LLC’s Edwardsville office, was installed as president-elect of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC) at the organization’s annual meeting. Bozarth has served as a member of the IDC executive committee and board of directors. He will become president of the IDC in June 2015.

Shannon Redd, LW'10, honored by National Bar Association

Shannon Redd has been recognized as a "Trailblazer Under 40" by the National Bar Association (NBA). Redd currently serves as staff attorney and training manager for the D.C. Bar Association's Pro Bono Program.

Susan Daniels, LW'13, sworn in as Appanoose County attorney

Susan Daniels, of Centerville, Iowa, was recently sworn in as the new county attorney by Judge Daniel P. Wilson.

Tracy Gallegos, LW'04, featured on cover of Las Vegas Woman Magazine

Tracy A. Gallegos, an attorney in Fox Rothschild’s Las Vegas office, is featured on the cover of the summer issue of Las Vegas Woman Magazine. A profile detailing Gallegos' upbringing and the driving forces that steered her toward a career in the legal field is featured prominently in the issue.

Molly Brau, LW'13, joins Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C.

Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that Molly M. Brau has joined as an associate attorney in its Des Moines office.

Troy Bozarth, LW'96, selected as Leading Lawyer

HeplerBroom LLC is proud to announce that Troy Bozarth was recently selected by his peers as a 2014 Leading Lawyer. Bozarth specializes in class action/mass tort defense, commercial litigation, personal injury defense, and transportation defense.

Anjela A. Shutts, LW‘96, appointed to the Judicial Nominating Commission, District 5C

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad appointed Anjela A. Shutts of Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. to the Judicial Nominating Commission, District 5C (Polk County). The five-person nominating commission submits nominees to the Governor for vacancies on the district court bench in the judicial election district.

Jeanie Kunkle Vaudt, GR'83, LW'91, appointed district judge

Jeanie Kunkle Vaudt has been appointed as judge to the 5C Judicial District in central Iowa. Vaudt is currently an Iowa assistant attorney general.

Elizabeth Shoemaker, LW'12, joins Davis Brown Law Firm

Elizabeth A. Shoemaker recently joined the Davis Brown Law Firm as an associate attorney. Shoemaker is an immigration lawyer and has experience in areas including deportation defense, asylum, family-based immigrant and non-immigrant Visas, and criminal and family law matters.

Anjela A. Shutts, LW'96, and Nicholas Cooper, LW'04, elected to Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. executive committee

Anjela A. Shutts and Nicholas Cooper were recently elected to the three-person executive committee. at the Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. law firm. The executive committee develops comprehensive strategic direction and leads all initiatives of the law firm with three Iowa offices.

David Brown Law Firm announces new shareholders

The Davis Brown Law Firm is pleased to announce that Krystle Campa Berry, LW'07, Michael C. Richards, LW'01, Christopher S. Talcott, LW'08, and Emily A. Stork, LW'07, have been elected shareholders, effective January 2014.

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