Overview

Jerry is an Of Counsel trial attorney who has specialized in civil and commercial litigation, trucking and high-end dissolutions. He provides a level of confidence that comes from over forty years of experience in state and federal courtrooms. He is a strategic and experienced trial attorney who aggressively pursues what is in the best interests of his clients. The courtroom is often considered his second home due to his understanding of the process and comfort in front of the bench.

Notable Work

  • Represented Estate of Brandon Ellingson vs. State of Missouri in a federal civil lawsuit which resulted in a multi-million dollar recovery for plaintiff.
  • Successfully defended many financial institutions and corporations to verdict involving large damage claims including Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Martin Marietta Materials, and multiple trucking companies across the United States.

Experience

Experience

  • Of Counsel Attorney, Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C., 2022—present
  • Past Chair, Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. ALFA Committee, 2006—2016
  • Judicial Clerk, Scott County District Court, 1973
  • Judge Advocate and Captain, Certified Trial and Defense Counsel, U.S. Air Force, 1974—1978
  • Financial Committee, City of Clive, Iowa

Activities and Affiliations

  • Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (Chair, State Committee of Iowa, 2022 — present; Vice Chair, State Committee of Iowa, 2020 — 2022)
  • Fellow of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers
  • ALFA International (former member of Transportation Law Practice Group Steering Committee)
  • American Inns of Court (Bencher: Blackstone Inn of Court, President 2013—2015)
  • DRI, Voice of the Defense Bar (Iowa Liaison: Commercial Litigation Committee, 2000—2003)
  • Iowa Defense Counsel Association
  • Iowa State Bar Association (Sections: Business Law; Family & Juvenile Law; Litigation; Bench Bar Committee; Pro Se Litigation Task Force)
  • Polk County Bar Association

Seminars 

  • American College of Trial Lawyers Annual Iowa Fellows Meeting, 2015—2024
  • American College of Trial Lawyers Meeting, 2014, 2020, 2022, 2023
  • Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting, June 2024
  • Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers 62nd Annual Seminar, February 2024
  • Iowa State Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference, May 2022
  • Iowa Defense Counsel Association Annual Meeting and Seminar, September 2020
  • Iowa State Bar Association Federal Practice Seminar, December 2019
  • ALFA International Transportation Practice Group Seminar, April 2019
  • Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers Seminar, February 2019
  • Iowa State Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference, May 2018
  • ALFA International Transportation Practice Group Seminar, April 2018
  • Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers Seminar, February 2018
  • Iowa State Bar Association Federal Practice Seminar, December 2017
  • Iowa Defense Counsel Association 53rd Annual Meeting and Seminar, September 2017
  • Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers Seminar, February 2017
  • Iowa State Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference, May 2016
  • Iowa State Bar Association, Federal Practice Seminar, December 2015
  • ALFA International Annual Business Meeting and Women's Initiative Program, October 2015

News & Events

Honors & Recognitions

Honors & Recognitions

  • AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project: recognized for pro bono work hours (2011—2012, 2021—2022) recognized for 50 or more pro bono work hours in 2012—2013, 2014—2015, 2015—2016
  • Selected by Best Lawyers in America as the Des Moines area's 2021 "Lawyer of the Year" in the area of Litigation - Banking and Finance Law
  • Selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America as a top-ranked attorney in Commercial Litigation and Litigation-Banking & Finance (2014—2025)
  • Selected for inclusion in the Great Plains Super Lawyers in the field of Family Law (2009—2024)

Thought Leadership

Thought Leadership

Selected Presentations and Teaching Appointment

  • Co-presenter, "Practice Pointers: Trial of Complex Dissolution of Marriage Actions," Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers 52nd Annual Seminar, February 2014
  • Presenter, “You Won’t Believe What You Can Find on the Internet!” Iowa State Bar Association Bench Bar Conference
  • Frequent presenter at CLE seminars sponsored by the Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Defense Counsel Association, National Business Institute, University of Iowa College of Law, & Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C.
  • Adjunct Professor, “Constitutional Law,” Park University, Kansas City, Missouri

Education

University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., with high distinction,

  • Order of the Coif

St. Thomas University, B.A., cum laude

  • President, Inter-Fraternity Council
  • President, Chi Theta Nu
  • Commander, Air Force ROTC Corps of Cadets
  • Outstanding Cadet Graduate

Admissions

  • Iowa
    U.S. District Court - Southern District of Iowa
    U.S. District Court - Northern District of Iowa
    U.S. Court of Appeals - Eighth Circuit
    U.S. District Court - Central District of Illinois
    U.S. District Court - Western District of Missouri
    U.S. Court of Military Appeals
    U.S. Supreme Court
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