In 1927, Gregory Brunk and Peter Janss formed our present firm. Mr. Brunk served as the senior partner in the firm until his death in 1965. Over the course of his 38 year tenure he ably guided our firm through the Great Depression, World War II and the Korean War. Mr. Brunk funded the start of the Drake Law Review and, through his estate, provides continued funding for the Review.
Over the years other attorneys joined our firm, making their own impact on the Iowa legal community, most notably:
Over the years our firms has been known by several names, including:
Our firm was legal counsel for the construction of the Alaskan pipe line and the Saudi Arabian highway by Greene Construction Company then one of the world’s largest construction contractors. We presently serve as corporate counsel for well over 100 corporations. Our attorneys represent a diverse array of specialties, assisting our clients in numerous areas including adoption, corporate governance, employment matters, estate planning and administration, family law, litigation, personal injury litigation, and real estate.
For many years our firm was located in the Equitable Building, this changed after a devastating fire. For four very long weeks we struggled to serve our clients without the benefit of our office and our files, but, like our clients, we persevered. We now provide clients with the same excellent service Gregory Brunk and Peter Janss did in our new location in Capital Square in downtown Des Moines.
As we approach our 100th Anniversary we remain committed to provide our clients with the best legal guidance possible. We are honored to be entrusted by our clients with their important legal matters.
The Firms lawyers represent and advise individuals seeking to dissolve their marriage, establish custodial rights and obligations for a child when they were not married to the other parent, establish child, medical, or spousal support obligations, divide real and personal property, including pensions, retirement accounts, pre-martial, and gifted/inherited assets. We assist clients in need to modify or enforce previously entered decrees, including decrees entered in another State. We assist clients who are the victims of an abusive partner as well as defend those who are subject to false claims of abuse. We assist clients drafting pre-martial agreements which are enforceable and will provide for the orderly disposition of property in the event of a dissolution or death of the other party.
The Firm’s lawyers also represent and advise individuals seeking to start or add to their family through adoption. Whether it’s a simple step-parent adoption or a complex inter-state adoption, our lawyers will help you achieve your dream of starting or adding to your family. We provide compassionate, skilled assistance at every stage of the process from ensuring the biological parent parental rights are terminated through taking pictures of you and your family with the Judge after the adoption has been finalized.
Whatever your family law or adoption issue is, our lawyers assist clients at all stages, from drafting agreements, appearing at mediation, trial, and post-trial proceedings including matters appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court. Our lawyers are knowledgeable in the law and skilled advocates who will assist you in marshalling the facts and evidence needed to obtain the result you seek. Let our lawyers roll up their sleeves and get to work for you.
The Firm’s lawyers represent clients, including buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants in real estate transactions, disputes and related matters. We prepare title opinions and assist clients with property tax appeals and zoning issues.
Serving as counsel to many of Iowa’s leading businesses in a wide variety of industries, clients rely on Simpson, Jensen, Abels, Fisher & Bouslog to help them achieve their business objectives in a prompt, economical manner within the applicable legal environment. We have extensive experience with the unique issues facing start-up businesses and institutions in today’s market.
The Firm takes entrepreneurs from the creation of a business through whatever makes them successful, their transition planning to obtain value from their life’s work, and the estate and family planning to effectively utilize their resources to the maximum advantage of all. Clients seek our advice on choice of entity, corporate governance, financing, contracts, product distribution, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, transition planning, divestitures and other areas involved in operating a successful commercial enterprise.
The Firm offers estate planning and administration services to clients seeking to preserve, manage and transfer personal or family assets. We perform traditional estate planning, such as estate analysis, estate plan design to minimize unnecessary tax liability, charitable gift planning, gifting strategies, drafting trust agreements, wills, living wills, durable powers of attorney for health care and property management, and standby conservatorships and guardianships. The firm also represents corporate trustees and fiduciaries.
In all aspects of employee relations, Simpson, Jensen, Abels, Fischer & Bouslog, P.C. represents employers of all sizes as well as individuals. Clients seek our proactive advice on preventing and/or minimizing costly employment related disputes. In addition, we advise clients on the many issues confronting employers in the day-to-day operation of business, including personnel policies and issues, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standards Act, WARN Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, workplace privacy laws, drug testing in the workplace, workers’ compensation, and unemployment claims. We also provide employers with representation before state and federal courts, administrative agencies, civil rights commissions, and arbitration panels in all forms of disputes arising out of employment relationships, including wrongful discharge litigation and employment discrimination litigation. We represent management in labor relations and negotiation, union avoidance, grievances and arbitrations.
Simpson, Jensen, Abels, Fischer & Bouslog, P.C. handles a wide variety of personal injury matters on behalf of injured persons; usually involving severe injuries or death. The Firm has experience in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, motor vehicle accidents, professional negligence, premise liability, and workers’ compensation. The Firm obtained one of the largest personal injury jury verdicts in Iowa history; in excess of ten million dollars.
