Corporate/M&A: Iowa

THE FIRM This firm has one of the biggest and most widely recognized corporate teams in Iowa, drawing clients from both within the state and further afield. The group fosters an interdisciplinary approach and lawyers on the team have a range of finance qualifications; six of them are qualified CPAs. These financial credentials have long enabled the department to act on a variety of corporate and banking matters, and have recently been useful given the increase in restructuring mandates. Recent clients include Henderson Manufacturing, 7G Distributing and Sigourney Tractor & Implement.

Sources say: "The firm to protect your business in good times and bad."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Steven Zumbach has a particular focus on closely held companies and impresses clients with his understanding of this niche area. "He's a complete dream: wonderfully sensitive to risk exposure, very hard-working and responsive, and adept at separating business and legal issues," enthuse clients. He recently represented Precision Machine and Manufacturing in the sale of its business, drawing on his background as a CPA with a PhD in economics to find the best solution for all concerned. Quentin Boyken is also a qualified CPA who focuses on assisting closely held companies with their corporate acquisitions. He is highly regarded by interviewees for his "pragmatic, thoughtful and responsive" approach. Garth Adams is another of the team's CPAs and an "excellent lawyer who produces exemplary work." Praised for his quick and thorough understanding of complex business and legal issues, he specializes in private equity, M&A and corporate matters across a range of industries. Christian Nelson is "an extremely intelligent individual and a pleasure to work with," say clients, who praise his diligence and responsiveness on a wide range of corporate matters. A qualified CPA, he is "passionate about transactional work, has excellent analytical skills and is very knowledgeable on the law." Wayne Reames specializes in structuring and tax work and is a CPA with an LLM in taxation. "He's an intelligent tax expert who gives good guidance and advice and keeps clients up to date on developments," say sources. Robert Mullen focuses on banking and finance work and impresses interviewees with the high quality of his work. A qualified CPA, he has worked extensively with state and federal agencies and is said to have an excellent rapport with bankers and regulators.

THE FIRM One of the oldest and largest firms in Iowa, Nyemaster Goode also has one of the best networks, with three offices across the state. The corporate team serves clients in a variety of industries, including insurance, energy and finance. With strong M&A and banking practices, the firm is particularly noted for its business knowledge and consistently represents high-end clients.

Sources say: "A group that builds great client relationships by making appropriate use of its broad resources and providing consistently high-quality service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Edgar Hansell is a "seasoned veteran of the corporate scene." Clients hail him as "very astute, very responsive and very practical." G R Neumann is a "no-nonsense lawyer with a practical approach and great understanding of the law." He has recently acted on a number of alternative energy deals, including roll-up transactions and acquisitions out of bankruptcy. Mark Dickinson is "bright and well respected for his work on complicated transactions." He has a strong general corporate and securities practice and his book of business features a number of insurance companies. Cory Harris is an "exceptionally able lawyer" who impresses clients and peers with his extensive legal and industry knowledge and his dedication to timeliness. He acts as general counsel to several companies and recently represented Shazam and ITS in connection with the acquisition of a banking software company in Texas. Rod Kubat is praised for his experience and knowledge of UCC and bankruptcy law. "He's very intelligent, with lots of energy and excellent attention to detail," say clients. He recently handled a number of bankruptcy matters, acting on the lender and purchaser side. Willard Boyd has a wide corporate practice and specific knowledge of nonprofit law. Sources describe him as "a fine lawyer, always thorough and timely." He acts as general counsel to companies and nonprofit organizations, while also getting involved in transactional work. Steven Roy enters the rankings as the firm's standout tax attorney. Clients praise his "deep knowledge of tax law and ability to suggest practical solutions." Gregory Wilcox has a wide M&A practice and acts for buyers and sellers in a variety of corporate transactions. Acclaimed as "an excellent, rational attorney," he recently advised Scoular on asset acquisitions. Gregory Page impresses sources with his banking and finance practice, which takes in regulatory, securities and transactional advice. Sources praise his excellent knowledge, drafting skills and client care.

Since publication, Cory R Harris has moved in-house.

THE FIRM This Des Moines firm is well respected for its corporate transactions group, which advises corporations, closely held companies and entrepreneurs, as well as financial institutions and insurance companies. The team can assist with all stages of a transaction, as well as with business formation, financings, M&A and restructurings. Active clients include DeWaay Investment Banking, Frontline BioEnergy and Sequel Youth & Family Services.

Sources say: "I would recommend the group for its knowledge and deep thinking, for always seeing the bigger picture and for its consistently excellent delivery."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Doug Gross is highly reputed for his corporate work generally, and particularly noted for his in-depth knowledge of the healthcare field. "He's a strategic thinker, bright and engaging, with great understanding of the different personalities around the negotiating table," say clients. He recently acted for Trinity Regional Medical Center and Agri Star. The highly experienced Michael Blaser is recognized for his focus on the agribusiness and alternative energy industries. He handles a range of matters, from M&A to financing and restructuring, both locally and internationally. William Brown is acclaimed for his skill and experience handling business-related tax issues. He has recently been active on a number of high-value M&A deals. The firm's managing partner, Christopher Sackett, has a wide corporate practice covering M&A transactions, energy projects and nontraditional finance work. "He gives us a heads-up on costs and remains involved and responsive to our needs throughout," say clients. Thomas Johnson also has a broad corporate practice married to energy experience and expertise, especially renewable energies. John Hunter has over 20 years' experience of banking and corporate law. He represents banks and bank holding companies. Recent mandates have included loan workouts, business separations and a variety of regulatory matters.

THE FIRM This firm has an outstanding team for corporate transactional and banking matters. It provides full-service representation to a range of clients, from startups to public companies and joint ventures, across several different industries. Active clients include Ag Processing, RDG Planning & Design and Iowa Capital Investment Corporation.

Sources say: "The group has an incredibly wide skills base with attorneys who can cover any question I ask them."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Frank Carroll is "one of the finest corporate attorneys in the state and the go-to guy for complex corporate and tax matters." Clients praise his ability to think outside the box and "quickly and accurately identify the relevant issues and questions." He recently represented Rain & Hail Insurance Service in its purchase by ACE for $1.1 billion, working in tandem with Beverly Evans. Her corporate practice is broad but she specializes in securities, M&A and economic development using tax credits. Sources hail her as a "highly proficient and detail-oriented lawyer." Jason Stone is developing a respected corporate law practice on the foundations of his tax expertise. Clients say: "He's a good communicator and is quick to get to the bottom of things." He advised Life Care Services in the receipt of private equity investment from McCarthy Capital. Shareholder John Shors and of counsel Donald Brown are senior figures in the group. Interviewees describe both as "absolute quality." Robert Gamble is chair of the financial institutions department and is highly respected for his banking, finance and securities work. His clients include Iowa Bankers Association.

THE FIRM This Des Moines firm has a strong practice in corporate and banking law. Clients praise its flexible approach that assembles the most appropriate lawyers at the firm to suit the job in hand. Recent clients have included Bankers Trust, Great Western Bank and Des Moines Water Works.

Sources say: "The group is highly organized, prompt, knowledgeable and confident, and gives excellent service to clients."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Malm is an "outstanding lawyer" who provides general corporate counsel alongside litigation advice. He cochairs the corporate department alongside Marc Ward, a lawyer with a wide corporate and banking practice and a niche specialty in limited liability company issues. "He has a direct and straightforward style and gives guidance on issues likely to come up further down the line," say clients. Howard Hagen is championed as "one of the very top banking practitioners in the state right now." Chair of the banking department, he's praised for his "off-the-charts knowledge of the banking industry." He acts for banks and bank holding companies, and provides general corporate advice to businesses.

THE FIRM This Davenport group is recommended by clients as a highly knowledgeable and responsive team offering exceptional value. The group advises on the full range of corporate issues, including formation, financing and reorganization, as well as related areas such as environmental law, employment and taxation. Active clients include Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce and Sears Manufacturing.

Sources say: "Big-city capability in a small-town package."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dana Waterman is described as "highly intelligent, thoughtful and tireless - unquestionably one of the finest lawyers in the state." He acts on a variety of corporate issues and impresses clients with his thorough understanding of their business priorities, as well as the relevant laws. Scott Van Vooren is an "extremely thorough and diligent attorney." He specializes in M&A deals and recently advised shareholders on the sale of $20 billion worth of interests to a private equity group. Edmund Carroll focuses on general corporate work and M&A matters. "He's a splendid attorney, highly competent and with excellent communication skills," say interviewees.

THE FIRM This long-standing Cedar Rapids firm stands out for its high-quality business law department, which is experienced in advising all manner of clients on a variety of commercial issues.

Sources say: "The go-to firm in Cedar Rapids thanks to its consistent high-quality service and long-standing reputation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gary Streit impresses interviewees with his practical, solutions-oriented approach to business issues. He specializes in general business law, along with tax and estate planning. "He's really knowledgeable, understands the bigger picture and knows how to get the deal done," say sources. Chair of the firm's M&A and equity finance group, Brian Bergstrom advises a range of clients on M&A, equity financing and general corporate matters. He is hailed an "incredibly smart lawyer who identifies potential problems and finds means of compromise to get the deal done."

THE FIRM This long-standing group acts for a broad range of clients and wins particular praise for its dedicated public finance practice. Transactions are a specialty, especially bond issuance, and the group recently handled a number of acquisitions.

Sources say: "Responsive, pleasant and competent attorneys who build valued client relationships."

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Hintze chairs the firm's corporate, business and tax department and has a "wealth of experience and knowledge." He has a wide corporate practice, advises a broad range of clients and is described as "easy to work with and to get hold of."

THE FIRM This west Iowa firm has offices in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. The group provides the full range of corporate counsel, advising clients at all stages of the business cycle, from formation and acquisition to finance and sale. The team represents clients of all sizes and the roster features RuffaloCODY, McAleer Water Conditioning and Lightwaves Systems.

Sources say: "A group with outstanding expertise and professionalism, dedicated to doing its utmost to serve clients."

KEY INDIVIDUALS William McCartan leads the department. He provides clients with a range of corporate and securities counsel, recently acting for Nations Financial Group in connection with the IPO of $80 million of units of Zea Capital Fund. Bradley Hart is praised by clients as "a strong business lawyer who is extremely responsive to our needs and consistently provides thoughtful feedback." He has been advising numerous buyers and sellers on M&A matters, including ESCO Electric and Tektivity. Name partner and "fine lawyer" Byron Riley remains an important resource to the team, advising on sophisticated M&A issues.

THE FIRM This long-standing Des Moines firm is a respected name for business law. A team of seasoned attorneys advise on a broad range of corporate issues, including entity formation, M&A, banking transactions and restructuring.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Of counsel Kent Forney is a well-reputed expert for insurance regulation and litigation matters. John Cortesio, also of counsel, advises clients on a range of corporate matters, with a focus on antitrust issues and litigation.

THE FIRM This firm has gone from strength to strength since its merger in 2009, and clients are particularly impressed with its strong corporate and business department. The team's experience ranges from providing general counsel through to advising on formation, securities regulation, taxation, M&A and division of business.

Sources say: "I would never go anywhere else - they are fine attorneys and have a well-respected practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Randal Scholer assists clients with general corporate matters but primarily handles M&A deals, a field in which he has almost 30 years' experience. Clients praise his open approach and his ability to work intelligently with other attorneys to overcome problems.