Best Divorce Lawyers Des moines
GARY E. HILL
Divorce Lawyers
Gary Edward Hill is a courtroom litigator with over 35 years of litigation experience in county, state, and federal courts. Since moving to Iowa in 2007, Gary has focused on divorce, custody, and litigated matters involving domestic violence.
Gary was born and raised in south Texas. He graduated from high school in Edinburg, Texas. The southern border of Gary’s home county in Texas is the Rio Grande River. Hidalgo County is the poorest county in Texas. One of his proudest accomplishments is securing a full-time summer job at age 15 and working every year since then.
Gary attended the University of Texas where he secured a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and he majored in accounting and the business honors program. Gary worked in the kitchen at his dorm in college. He worked full time in the summer months delivering appliances. During his undergraduate years in Austin, Gary was hired by the prestigious law firm of Vinson & Elkins as an office assistant and law clerk.
Upon graduating from the University of Texas, Gary was admitted to law school at the University of Houston. He worked at Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Ward as a network engineer and paid his way through law school (with help from his parents). Gary was licensed by the state of Texas in 1984, and he immediately made a name for himself trying jury cases to verdict. He specialized in workers’ compensation and catastrophic loss cases. Gary made partner at a litigation boutique by 1999 and was Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law that same year.
During his time in law school, Gary met his future wife who graduated from the University of Iowa in 1980. Julie Coates lived in the small town of Cromwell (Gary likes to call this a suburb of Creston). They were married in Cromwell in 1985. After many trips to Iowa to spend holidays and summer days with Julie’s extended family, Julie and Gary moved their family, now consisting of two children, to Iowa. Julie formally worked at Simpson College. Their children attended college in Iowa and live in Warren County. Their family now includes three dogs, a cat, and they live in the beautiful state that is Iowa. Gary loves the outdoors and enjoys watching his neighbors plant and harvest their corn, soybeans, and hay fields.
After moving his family to Iowa, Gary worked at Iowa Legal Aid as a senior staff attorney. He created a family law unit and supervised all family law intakes for the central Iowa region. In this role, it was not unusual for Gary to review over three dozen cases a week and process selected cases for representation or other resolution by the attorneys and staff at Iowa Legal Aid. It was at this time that Gary was called upon to use his litigation skills representing victims of domestic violence. This experience made a deep impression and Gary is proud of his time representing those who are underserved in the legal arena.
Donna Miller
Divorce Lawyers
Donna has been practicing law for over 20 years, and is a partner in the Miller, Zimmerman & Evans law firm. Her areas of focus are family law, workers’ compensation, and personal injury. Donna has many years’ experience in advocating for her clients in court, leading mediation and serving as a mediator in settlement negotiation conferences. She has also represented clients before the Iowa Supreme Court and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
She has helped many families and individuals with the difficult issues that arise in family and custody cases. She also assists employees who have been injured at work.
Donna is a member of the Order of the Coif, American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, the Polk County Bar Association, and Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. She was appointed by the Iowa Supreme Court to serve as a member of the Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission and by the Polk County Bar Association to serve on its Board of Directors. She is also a member of the state-wide board for Iowa’s chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Outside of work, Donna is involved in a number of non-profit organizations. She has been chair of the board of directors for Goodwill of Central Iowa and served on the board of Goodwill Industries International for nine years. Her board memberships also include LifeServe (formerly Blood Center of Iowa), the AIDS Project of Central Iowa, Habitat for Humanity, and Southwestern Hills Neighborhood Association. She is also an active volunteer for programs that assist people who cannot afford legal counsel with family law issues. She volunteers at a transitional women’s shelter and participates in a book club at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. Donna was recognized by the Des Moines Business Record as a member of its “40 Under 40″ Class. She is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America©.
Katie M. Naset
Divorce Lawyers
Katie Naset practices primarily in the area of family law, including dissolution of marriage, child custody, and domestic violence cases. As a former Staff Attorney at Iowa Legal Aid, Katie has extensive experience in representing victims of domestic violence.
Katie received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Grinnell College in 2003, graduating on an accelerated track in three years in conjunction with her attendance at Des Moines’ Central Academy. In 2006, Katie graduated with distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law. Prior to practicing with Hope Law Firm, Katie was a Staff Attorney at Iowa Legal Aid in Des Moines for four years and spent two and a half years as a Judicial Law Clerk in the Iowa District Court for Polk County.
Katie is a strong supporter of the Polk County Bar Association and Iowa Legal Aid Volunteer Lawyers Projects. She is also a member of the Central Iowa Regional Office Advisory Council for Iowa Legal Aid.
JASON RIEPER
Divorce Lawyers
From an early age (long before law school had ever crossed my mind), I knew that helping people would be a big part of my life. Back then, I wasn’t sure what kind of profession I wanted to go into myself – just that I wanted a career that would allow me to help people and have time to be active in the community.
Once I entered law school I began working in my uncle’s law firm and I also spent time working in the legal clinic at Drake. These experiences deepened my conviction that the right attorney can have a powerful impact on a person’s life.
From an early age (long before law school had ever crossed my mind), I knew that helping people would be a big part of my life. Back then, I wasn’t sure what kind of profession I wanted to go into myself – just that I wanted a career that would allow me to help people and have time to be active in the community.
Once I entered law school I began working in my uncle’s law firm and I also spent time working in the legal clinic at Drake. These experiences deepened my conviction that the right attorney can have a powerful impact on a person’s life.
My life has always centered around my family, and today I’m very pleased to report that I have five wonderful children who mean everything to me. My oldest two children have dedicated their lives to military and civil service. Another of my children has chosen a path dedicated to improving the lives of children and families here in Iowa. That being said, I know firsthand that family matters don’t always run smoothly. Disagreements come up, and sometimes they lead you to a family law issue you never saw coming.
When I handle a legal matter involving family — whether it’s a divorce, child custody dispute, paternity issue, or another concern — I work hard to make sure my client and any children they may have get the best possible care. I do this not because it’s my job, but because that’s what I would want for my family.
Mark R. Hinshaw
Divorce Lawyers
Mark is a 2002 graduate of Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, where he majored in Economics. He then graduated from Drake University Law School in 2006. Mark handles hundreds of divorces every year in central Iowa ranging from simple uncontested divorces to complex international family law cases in federal court.
He was the lead trial counsel on Anderung v. Anderung, the international child abduction case tried in the United States Federal District Court for Southern Iowa, which received significant media attention. He is a member of the American Bar Association Family Law Section and sits on the International Family Law, Child Custody, and Alimony committees. In addition, he is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association and Family Law Section.
My firm handles hundreds of divorces every year in Central Iowa ranging from simple uncontested divorces to complex international family law cases in federal court. My team is second to none. I have been the lead trial counsel in over one hundred divorce matters in Central Iowa, including international cases brought under the constructs of the Hague Convention in the United States Federal Court for Iowa. I have also successfully argued numerous cases in front of the Iowa Court of Appeals. In addition to divorces, I represent individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries in state and federal court. In the last two years I have collected over ten million dollars on behalf of injured parties. I am a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, Polk County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association (ABA). I sit on the family law section of all three bar associations and sit on the International Family Law Committee of the ABA. I grew up in Ankeny and currently reside there with my wife and daughters. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, playing in the Des Moines Adult Baseball League, and managing my stable of racehorses.
BRENT CASHATT
Divorce Lawyers
Brent Cashatt is an experienced trial lawyer who has focused his career on family law, and has distinguished himself both locally and nationally as a premier family law attorney. Brent is a Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, a select group of 100 of the top family law trial lawyers from across the United States. He has the privilege of serving as President-Elect of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), which promotes professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law.
With 30+ years of family law experience, coupled with his personal experience of co-parenting children following divorce, Brent brings a significant depth and breadth of expertise to his clients. He litigates and negotiates high-asset and complicated divorces involving business valuations, property division, pre-marital agreements, alimony and spousal support, and child support matters.
Brent spends his time away from the office with his own family, playing golf, and traveling. He enjoys being a grandparent and looks forward to playing with his grandchildren as soon as they are ready.
Jeremy Feitelson
Divorce Lawyers
I graduated from Drake Law School in 2004 and since then have been practicing law in the Des Moines area. I am licensed to handle all types of cases throughout the State of Iowa and primarily handle cases in the areas of adoptions, divorces, and child custody issues; car accident and personal injury cases; and criminal cases.
- In addition to handling cases directly, I am also a licensed family law mediator in Iowa and assist divorce and child custody parties in resolving their differences without going to trial.
- I have also handle countless number of cases through the Polk County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project where we assist low income individuals through divorces and other legal matters at little to no cost.
Ashley Tollakson
Divorce Lawyers
I grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa, having graduated from Valley High School. I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Iowa and my law degree from Drake University Law School. I was admitted to practice law in Iowa in 2009, and embarked on a career dedicated to helping families in transition/crisis.
Tollakson Law is committed to reclaiming the practice of law as a healing profession. We use innovative legal techniques, such as collaborative law, mediation, and negotiation, so we can help you dissolve your marriage with respect and dignity — with courtroom resolution only as a last resort. I am extremely passionate about helping families transition peacefully and launching them successfully post-divorce. I am a certified family law mediator and parenting coordinator and am an adjunct professor at Drake University.
I reside in Des Moines with my husband TJ, son Theo, daughters Drew and Frankie and dog, Murphy. Outside of my family and work, my other true love is running. Although I would like to say that I “just run for fun,” the truth is I am extremely competitive and love pushing myself to new personal bests. I have competed in more than seven marathons and hold a personal best time of 2:44:06 for the 26.2-mile distance. My proudest running accomplishment to date is having qualified for and competed in the 2012 Olympic Marathon Team Trials. Toeing the line with the best women marathon runners in the United States was an experience I will always cherish.
Having the best divorce lawyer in Des Moines can offer several important benefits:
Expertise in Iowa Family Law: The best divorce lawyers in Des Moines will have a deep understanding of Iowa’s family laws and regulations, including those related to divorce, child custody, property division, and spousal support.
Local Court Knowledge: They will be familiar with the Des Moines court system, judges, and local procedures. This familiarity can be invaluable in predicting how your case may be handled and in effectively navigating the legal process.
Strategic Planning: A top divorce lawyer will develop a tailored strategy based on your unique circumstances, considering factors such as assets, liabilities, children, and your specific goals for the divorce.
Negotiation Skills: Many divorces are settled through negotiations. A skilled lawyer will be an effective negotiator, working to achieve the best possible outcome for you in terms of property division, alimony, child support, and custody arrangements.
Emotional Support and Objectivity: Divorce is an emotionally charged process. A seasoned attorney can offer objective guidance, helping you make rational decisions and navigate the emotional challenges.
Legal Paperwork and Procedures: A divorce involves a significant amount of paperwork, filings, and deadlines. A knowledgeable lawyer will ensure that all necessary documents are prepared correctly and submitted on time.
As for the impact of divorce on social status, it can vary depending on the individual and their specific circumstances:
Change in Marital Status: Divorce changes a person’s marital status from “married” to “divorced.” This change may be reflected on legal documents, such as driver’s licenses, and in social settings.
Social Circles: Divorce can sometimes lead to shifts in social circles. Friends and acquaintances may react differently, and some relationships may change.
Perception: Unfortunately, in some cases, there may be societal stigma associated with divorce. However, attitudes towards divorce have evolved over time, and many people understand that it can be a necessary step towards personal growth and well-being.
Personal Growth and Empowerment: For some individuals, going through a divorce can be a transformative experience that leads to increased self-awareness, confidence, and independence.
Rebuilding Social Connections: Over time, many individuals find ways to rebuild and strengthen their social connections. This can involve making new friends, reconnecting with old ones, and exploring new social activities.
It’s important to remember that while divorce can bring about changes in social dynamics, it doesn’t define a person’s worth or value. Seeking support from friends, family, or professional counselors can be valuable during this period of adjustment.