28 LDM Attorneys Named as The 2026 Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
The recognition of The Best Lawyers in America® is awarded to individual attorneys with the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Only one attorney is recognized as the Lawyer of the Year for each specialty and location.
The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards are recognitions given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in America. "Onesto Watch" recipients typically have been in practice for 5-9 years.
2026 EDITION"LAWYER OF THE YEAR" AWARDS
William R. Settles, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
THE BESTLAWYERS IN AMERICA®
Appellate Practice
Rick Harris
William R. Settles
Cathy Trent-Vilim
Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law
Daniel J. Waters
Commercial Litigation
Brian J. Brislen
Adam R. Feeney
Sean A. Minahan
Cathy Trent-Vilim
Patrick G. Vipond
John M. Walker
Construction Law
Craig F. Martin
Corporate Law
Daniel J. Waters
Insurance Law
Lawrence F. Harr
Patrick G. Vipond
Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
William R. Settles
Litigation –Construction
Andrew C. Johnson
Craig F. Martin
Scott Wormsley
Litigation –Insurance
Andrew C. Johnson
Janice M. Thomas
Scott Wormsley
Litigation –Municipal
Jason C. Palmer
Litigation –Trusts and Estates
John M. Walker
Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Rick Harris
William R. Settles
Patrick G. Vipond
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Daniel J. Waters
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Kyle Wallor
Janice M. Thomas
Scott Wormsley
Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
William R. Settles
Patrick G. Vipond
Tax Law
Daniel J. Waters
Trust and Estates
Daniel J. Waters
BESTLAWYERS: ONES TO WATCH® IN AMERICA
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Erin K. Artz
Phillip T. Sanberg
Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law
Stevie L. Lewis
Phillip T. Sanberg
Construction Law
Tevyn L. Waddell
Corporate Law
Erin K. Artz
Commercial Litigation
David A. Changstrom
Ellen K. Geisler
Callie A. Kanthack
Insurance Law
David A. Changstrom
Rachel R. Raymond
Labor and Employment Law – Management
Georgia R. Rice (West Des Moines, IA)
Litigation – Construction
Callie K. Kanthack
Tevyn L. Waddell
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Ellen K. Geisler
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Ellen K. Geisler
Stevie L. Lewis
Litigation –Trusts and Estates
David A. Changstrom
Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Callie A. Kanthack
Olivia R. McDowell
Tevyn L. Waddell
Sarah E. Schleisman
Municipal Law
Georgia R. Rice
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Olivia R. McDowell
Professional Malpractice Law
Sarah E. Schleisman
Trusts and Estates
Erin K. Artz
Craig W. Benson
Phillip T. Sanberg
Workers’ Compensation Law - Employers
Rachel R. Raymond
About Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected lawyer ranking service in the world. For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers has assisted those in need of legal services to identify the lawyers best qualified to represent them in distant jurisdictions or unfamiliar specialties. Best Lawyers awards are published in leading local, regional and national publications across the globe.
Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are vote on by currently recognized Best Lawyers working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region. Our awards and recognitions are based purely on the feedback we receive from these top lawyers. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Those who receive high peer reviews undergo a thorough verification process to make sure they are currently still in private practice. Only then can Best Lawyers recognize these top lawyers.
