Michael Green Joins Sullivan & Ward Law Firm
Michael J. Green, formerly associated with the Brown Winick law firm, has joined Sullivan & Ward law firm. Mr. Green is an AV-rated attorney practicing in the area of real estate and business.
Kyle Kruidenier Elected to Urbandale School Board
Kyle Kruidenier was elected to the Urbandale School Board following Tuesday night's election. Kyle has been with Sullivan & Ward, P.C. since 2004. While Kyle's practice is a general civil practice, he focuses primarily on real estate, landlord/tenant, environmental, business, non-profit, employment, collection and public utility law. Congratulations, Kyle!
David J. Hellstern Joins Sullivan & Ward, P.C.
Sullivan & Ward, P.C. is pleased to announce the addition of David J. Hellstern to the Firm. David received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Iowa in 2000 and his Juris Doctorate from Drake University Law School in 2004. Prior to joining Sullivan & Ward, P.C., David practiced with a small firm in West Des Moines, Iowa. David's practice areas include Business/Corporate Law, Construction Law, Real Estate, Probate and Family Law. Welcome David!
Matt Gardner Receives Martindale-Hubbell's Highest Rating
Martindale-Hubbell recently recognized Matt Gardner as an AV® rated attorney. The AV® rating is the highest rating available to any individual lawyer. An AV® rating shows that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence, has practiced law for many years and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity. Congratulations, Matt, on this stellar accomplishment!
Congratulations Samantha!
Congratulations to our very own Samantha Gronewald who was recently selected to the Business Record's annual "Forty Under 40 Class of 2011"!
The Forty Under 40 is an annual recognition of young business and community leaders who have demonstrated success in their field as well as community involvement. Samantha's work at Sullivan & Ward, PC has certainly demonstrated her excellent abilities in her practice areas of family law, general litigation, and real estate.
Job well done Samantha.
Larry McLellan to Receive Honorary Order of the Barrister Award
Larry McLellan has been selected to receive the Honorary Order of the Barrister Award from the National Order of the Barristers. Each year Drake University Law School awards 10 Order of the Barrister positions to students and as well as the Honorary Award. The National Order of the Barristers is an organization that recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to advocacy programs and demonstrated skill in oral advocacy. The Honorary Award is given to an individual who has made great contributions to the the Drake University Law School advocacy and moot court programs as well has having made an impact as an advocate in the legal profession. Congratulations, Larry!
In Memory: John V. Donnelly (1940-2010)
It is with deep regret and sorrow that Sullivan & Ward, P.C. notes that one of the members of the firm, John Donnelly, recently passed away. Mr. Donnelly was a distinguished member of the Iowa Bar, graduate of Harvard University and University of Michigan Law School. We are saddened by the premature departure of our friend and colleague.
Larry McLellan and Mark Landa Selected for National Honors
Sullivan & Ward's own attorneys, Larry McLellan and Mark Landa, have been selected for inclusion in the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers in America in environmental law. Larry McLellan was also included in the 2009 Great Plains Super Lawyers listing under 
environmental law. Congratulations to Mark and Larry for these honors!
Rolland Grefe Pro Bono Publico Award
Robert M. "Bob" Holliday was recently awarded the Rolland Grefe Pro Bono Publico Award for his efforts to have the life sentence of Reed Prior commuted. Mr. Prior's sentence was commuted by President George W. Bush on December 23, 2008 approximately seven years after Bob began working on his case. Bob received the Award on June 24, 2009 at the President's Awards Banquet during The Iowa State Bar Association's Annual Meeting. Congratulations, Bob!
Matt Gardner - Attorney and Now Author
Matt Gardner recently had a chapter published in the book titled "Estate Planning Client Strategies: Leading Lawyers on Understanding the Client's Goals Using Trusts Effectively, and Planning in a Changing Economic Climate (Inside the Minds)." If you are interested in purchasing, go here (none of the proceeds go to us).
Elizabeth Overton Quoted in Business Record
Sullivan & Ward's Liz Overton was quoted in the Des Moines Business Record concerning legal issues related to company furloughs. Company furloughs create a legal minefield Very good information and article related to company furloughs.
Sullivan & Ward's Bob Holliday Secures Presidential Pardon for Prisoner
Sullivan & Ward's own Bob Holliday recently secured a presidential pardon for a federal prisoner. Reed Prior had been given a life sentence from a prior drug conviction. For the past seven years, Bob and others have worked tirelessly for Mr. Prior to secure his early release what many felt was an unfair sentencing under the "three strikes" sentencing guidelines. While serving his sentence, Mr. Prior turned his life around and helped hundreds of other prisoners obtain their GED's (Prior already had a master's degree) and in letters to schools, pleaded for kids to stay away from the evils of drugs. Catch Bob's interview on channel 8. Congratulations Bob.
Benjamin Clark Joins Sullivan & Ward, P.C.
Benjamin joined the firm as an associate in September of 2008. He is a recent graduate from Drake University Law School where he served on the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law. Benjamin's knowledge in the areas of environmental, agricultural, real estate, corporate, and public utility law are an asset to the Firm.
Project LIGHT
I was fortunate enough to have been part of the 2007-2008 Leadership Iowa class. Throughout the year I traveled the state learning about different communities and important issues facing Iowa such as healthcare, economic development and agriculture entrepreneurship. During one session, my class and I decided we were going to partner with Habitat for Humanity and build Iowa's first "green" Habitat House.
Our goals were to build a model green home that would:
* Reduce the impact on human health and the environment;
* Minimize the family's sustained utility costs;
* Serve as a model for Habitat for Humanity nationwide to encourage the organization to build more green homes, reduce the carbon footprint, and help make sustaining a home more affordable for partner families;
* Raise awareness of Iowa's leadership in renewable energy; and
* Demonstrate that the life cycle cost of green building is less expensive than traditional construction.
These goals are becoming a reality this week when construction on Iowa's first "green" Habitat House gets undeway. "Raise the Roof" on Project LIGHT (Leadership Iowa Green Home Team) is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2008. Thank you to everyone involved who has contributed to make this project a reality!
Samantha Kain Joins Sullivan & Ward, P.C.
Samantha Kain has recently joined Sullivan & Ward, P.C. Samantha is a 2003 graduate of Drake Law School and she previously worked at Handley, Block, Lamberti & Gocke, P.C. in Ankeny, Iowa. Samantha practices in the area of family law, real estate and estate planning. Samantha brings a wealth of knowledge to Sullivan & Ward's practice areas.
Samantha's direct dial is (515) 247-4711. Welcome Samantha!
Samantha's direct dial is (515) 247-4711. Welcome Samantha!
Congratulations to Jennifer Jaskolka-Brown!!
Congratulations on our very own Jennifer Jaskolka-Brown on making the 2008 class of "Forty Under 40" as sponsored by the Des Moines Business Record. Great job Jennifer and congratulations!
Sullivan & Ward Spotlight: Liz Overton
Sullivan & Ward, P.C. welcomes its newest attorney, Elizabeth Overton. Liz graduated from Drake University Law School with high honors in 2007 and recently passed the Iowa Bar. She was a staff member of the Drake Law Review 2005-2006. In 2003 she graduated cum laude from Simpson College with a B.A. in Economics and Business Management. She is a member of the Polk County, Polk County Women, Iowa State and American Bar Associations. She is also a member of the Blackstone Inn of Courts.
Liz has a general practice which includes employment law and business litigation. We are very fortunate to have her on board and look forward to her contributions to our growing law firm.
