About the Firm

Nyemaster Goode, founded in 1918, is the largest and one of the most recognized Iowa-based law firms, with offices in Des Moines, Ames, and Cedar Rapids. Our broadly diversified practice enables us to offer solutions to the most challenging legal issues in virtually every area of the law to companies that range in size from emerging start-ups to Fortune 500s, as well as to individuals. Perhaps this is why we were listed as a Go-To Law Firm® in a recent survey of the top 500 U.S. companies by Corporate Counsel magazine, an honor bestowed on only one-half of one percent of all law firms in the world.

We are Iowa’s only member of Meritas, a global alliance of 170 independent business law firms from more than 60 countries, delivering coordinated, localized legal services. Meritas provides access to approximately 6,500 experienced lawyers around the world. We are also the only Iowa member of the Employment Law Alliance, a network of over 3,000 lawyers around the world knowledgeable in state and national labor and employment law. The Employment Law Alliance includes lawyers specializing in employment law in all fifty states in the U.S. and more than 90 foreign countries. Since labor laws vary from state to state and from country to country, we take full advantage of the resources provided by other member firms of the Alliance in order to best serve our clients.  In addition, we are the only Iowa member of the State Capital Global Law Firm Group, which is an association of more than 140 independent law firms serving businesses in all fifty states and in capital cities and major commercial centers around the world. With its unique network of capital-based attorneys, former government officials, state government practitioners and international law attorneys, the State Capital Global Law Firm Group's member firms are strategically positioned to serve the most diverse business needs in today's global economy.

We strive to provide our clients fast, professional, and cost-effective legal representation. We provide legal services to our clients through six primary departments: Business, Finance, and Real Estate; Governmental Affairs; Intellectual Property; Labor and Employment; Litigation; and Tax, Estate Planning, and Employee Benefits.

Our specific practice areas within each department are described more particularly in other sections of this website.

Of our ninety-three attorneys, twenty-eight have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2009. Twenty-one of our lawyers have been recognized as leading individuals in their fields of practice by Chambers USA 2008, America's Leading Lawyers for Business. Seventeen of our attorneys clerked for state or federal judges (two clerked for the United States Supreme Court), two previously worked with the Internal Revenue Service, seven are certified public accountants, forty graduated Order of the Coif, and sixty-seven graduated from law school with honors.

Our attorneys are frequent speakers and authors on a broad range of legal subjects and occupy leadership positions within the American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, the Iowa Defense Counsel, Iowa Intellectual Property Law Association, International Trademark Association, and other similar professional organizations. All attorneys at the firm are members of the American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, and the Polk, Story, or Linn County Bar Association.

We encourage pro bono involvement by our attorneys. Most are registered to accept pro bono case assignments through the Volunteer Lawyers Project sponsored by the Polk County Bar Association. Nyemaster Goode has been recognized annually by the Polk County Bar Association for the participation of its attorneys and is a past recipient of the Iowa State Bar Association Law Firm Award for its pro bono service.

Nyemaster Goode also encourages attorneys and staff to be committed members of the community. Nyemaster Goode has been recognized regularly for its contributions to civic and charitable organizations in Des Moines and central Iowa.