Alumni Notes 2015

Gov. Branstad, LW'74, becomes longest serving governor in U.S. history

Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad broke the record for longest serving governor in United States history on Monday, Dec. 14. He has been in office for 20 years, 11 months, and three days (7,642 days). The longest serving governor record was previously held by George Clinton, the first governor of New York. Clinton served as governor from 1777-1795 and 1801-1804.

Jonathon Schroeder, LW'14, joins Davis Brown Law Firm

Davis Brown Law Firm recently announced that Jonathon Schroeder has joined the firm as an associate attorney in the Ames, Iowa, office with a general practice that includes real estate transactions, business and non-profit formation, and zoning and development law.

Nick Maybanks, LW'00, receives statewide award of merit

The Iowa County Attorneys Association honored Nick Maybanks, first assistant Linn County attorney, with the 2015 Staff Attorney Award of Merit for his distinguished record of accomplishments, dedication, and commitment. The award is given each year to one assistant in the state during the association's fall conference.

Iowa Supreme Court honors SJMC Dean Kathleen Richardson, LW'02

The Iowa Supreme Court honored Drake University School of Journalism and Mass Communication Dean Kathleen Richardson at a recognition program Nov. 23 in the Iowa Judicial Branch Building. Richardson was recognized for her 15 years of service on the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, including a stint as council’s executive director.

Zachary S. Hindman, LW'10, named partner of Mayne, Arneson, Hindman, Hisey & Daane

The Sioux City-based law firm Mayne, Arneson, Hindman, Hisey & Daane recently named Zachary S. Hindman partner of the firm. Hindman is engaged in a general practice of law, including civil, criminal litigation, and appellate practice.

Gov. Branstad appoints Linda M. Fangman, LW'95, and William P. Kelly, LW '99, district court judges

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has appointed Linda M. Fangman as judge to the 1B Judicial District and William P. Kelly as judge to the 5C Judicial District. Fangman, of Waterloo, currently serves as Black Hawk County attorney. Kelly, of West Des Moines, served as judge advocate while deployed on active duty in Afghanistan, and currently is in private practice.

Brian Rickert, LW'98, named Best Lawyers' Lawyer of the Year 2016

Brian Rickert, a lawyer at BrownWinick Law Firm, has been named the Best Lawyers' 2016 Des Moines Construction Law "Lawyer of the Year." Rickert's legal focus is on litigation matters for public and private businesses as well as individuals in a variety of areas, including agribusiness, construction, energy, environmental, and real estate.

Daniel Rubinstein, LW'96, named district attorney

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper appointed Daniel P. Rubinstein as district attorney for the 21st Judicial District in Colorado, effective Oct. 16. Rubinstein previously served as the chief deputy district attorney in the 21st Judicial District as well as deputy district attorney. He also worked in private practice as the managing partner at Tuttle, Eret, and Rubinstein.

Michael Lang, LW'14, hired as assistant county attorney

Micheal Lang was hired to be the new assistant Jones County attorney. He will work part-time for the county and continue working full-time at the Knuth Law Office in Anamosa, Iowa, where he practices general civil law.

Kaitlyn J. Ausborn, LW'15, joins Brown, Kinsey, Funkhouser & Lander, P.L.C.

Kaitlyn J. Ausborn joined the law firm of Brown, Kinsey, Funkhouser & Lander, P.L.C., in Mason City, Iowa, as an associate of the firm. She joins the law firm to practice primarily in Social Security disability and worker’s compensation.

Tom Cope, LW'02, named Polk County chair for Jeb Bush campaign

Johnston city councilman Tom Cope was announced as the Polk County chair for Jeb Bush's campaign as the former governor of Florida seeks the Republican nomination for presidency.

Angela O'Kane, LW'15, joins Lammers & Kleibacker

Angela O'Kane recently became the newest member of Lammers & Kleibacker, a Madison law firm. She expects to practice in the areas of criminal law as a defense attorney and family law, handling divorces and child-custody cases.

Seven Drake Law alumni from Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. named "The Best Lawyers in America 2016"

Seven Drake Law School alumni from Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. were selected by their peers for inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America 2016," the oldest peer-review survey in the legal profession. The honorees are: David L. Phipps, LW’69; Thomas Henderson, LW’80; Sally A. Reavely, LW’88 (also named 2016 Lawyer of the Year in Des Moines); Anjela A. Shutts, LW’96; Kara M. Sinnard, LW’02; B. MacPaul Stanfield, LW’01; and David D. Nelson, LW’78.

Gov. Branstad appoints David M. Porter, LW'04, district court judge

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has appointed David M. Porter as judge to the District Court in the 5C Judicial District. Porter currently serves as an assistant Polk County attorney. Previously, he served as an assistant county attorney in Wapello County, adjunct professor of law at Drake Law School, and certified legal instructor for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

Sean Raisch, LW'15, and Rebecca Duffy, LW'11, join Davis Brown Law Firm

Sean Raisch joined the Davis Brown Law Firm as an associate attorney in the Business Division. Raisch previously worked as a summer and school year associate at the firm. Rebecca Duffy joined the Davis Brown Law Firm as special counsel in the Workers’ Compensation department. Duffy has significant experience in the area of workers’ compensation and has handled litigated and non-litigated workers’ compensation claims.

Deborah Ann Turner, LW'07, recognized by Continental Who's Who among Pinnacle Professionals

Deborah Ann Turner, M.D., J.D., has been recognized by Continental Who's Who among Pinnacle Professionals in the field of healthcare. Turner is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines with more than 40 years of experience.

Carmaine Sturino, LW'01, appointed district judge

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton announced the appointment of Carmaine Sturino as a judge in Minnesota's 3rd Judicial District, which includes most of southeastern Minnesota. She will be chambered at Caledonia in Houston County.

Ted Stopulos, LW'10, named chief legislative lobbyist for Gov. Branstad

Ted Stopulos was appointed as chief legislative lobbyist for Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. Stopulos was a policy adviser to the governor and lieutenant governor from 2011-2013. More recently, Stopulos served as vice president of regulatory and government affairs for the Iowa Health Care Association, a lobby group for the nursing home industry.

Michael Bousselot, LW’09, appointed Gov. Branstad’s chief of staff

Gov. Terry Branstad has appointed Michael Bousselot as his Chief of Staff. Previously, Bousselot served as the governor's office legal counsel and policy advisor, and he has advised the governor on issues relating to revenue and health care, among others.

Allison Wallace, LW'05, joins Davis Brown Law Firm

Allison Wallace recently joined the Davis Brown Law Firm as Special Counsel in the Business Division. Wallace has significant experience with various business transactions, including the management of litigation, employment matters, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property portfolios.

Melissa Grant, LW'11, joins Goosmann Law Firm

The Goosmann Law Firm is pleased to welcome Melissa Grant as the newest attorney at its Sioux City office. Grant works in Goosmann’s corporate, health, and real estate law practice, in addition to assisting clients with estate planning.

Jack Whitver, LW'12, to lead Rubio's Iowa campaign

State Sen. Jack Whitver was recently announced as the chair of the Iowa campaign for Marco Rubio as the Florida Senator seeks the Republican nomination for presidency.

Michael Bousselot, LW'09, appointed as Gov. Branstad's legal counsel

Michael Bousselot, a policy advisor to Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, has been appointed as their legal counsel. Bousselot helped the Branstad administration develop its property tax relief package in 2013 as well as the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan. He worked in the past as a consultant in Chicago and practiced law in Davenport.

Anjela Shutts, LW'96, named Fellow of the American Association of Matrimonial Attorneys

Anjela A. Shutts, a member at Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C., was one of eight attorneys in Iowa admitted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). Shutts practices in the areas of family law in a variety of issues including prenuptial agreements, divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and modifications.

Dionna Lewis, LW'11, joins Fay Law Group PLLC in Washington, D.C.

The Fay Law Group PLLC is pleased to welcome Dionna Maria Lewis, Esq. to the firm as a labor and employment associate. Lewis joins FLG after completing a judicial clerkship for the Honorable John F. McCabe, Jr. at the D.C. Superior Court. She also served as fair lending counsel in the Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Davis Brown Law Firm elects Meyer, LW'09, and Warnock, AS'06, LW'09, as shareholders

Elizabeth R. Meyer and Michele L. Warnock have been elected shareholders at Davis Brown Law Firm. Meyer is a member of the Litigation Division and represents individuals and companies in matters including contract, real estate, employment, probate, and personal injury disputes. Warnock is a member of the Litigation Division and focuses on labor and employment and business litigation.

Jonathan Kramer, LW'02, certfified as Creditor's Rights Law Specialist

Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C., attorney Jonathan E. Kramer has been certified by the American Board of Certification (ABC) as a Creditors’ Rights Law Specialist. Kramer represents creditors in state, federal or bankruptcy court litigation relating to debt collection.

See more alumni notes:

• 2016
• 2014
• 2013