Nicholas O. Cooper

agricultural and commercial real estate lending

Nick represents financial institutions in virtually every aspect of secured credit facilities. Working with banks, insurance companies, and other equity and credit providers, he is involved in the entire lending process; from origination of the loan, to documentation of the loan, to collection actions in the courtroom. Nick closes multi-million dollar commercial loans across the country and agricultural loans across the Midwest on a weekly basis. Nick also has vast experience working on behalf of lenders in court, having represented lenders in hundreds of cases throughout Iowa. Whether making the deal or ending the deal, Nick takes great pride in communicating with his clients to ensure their goals are achieved.

local and national entertainment and hospitality business advisor

He is also one of the few lawyers in the state to support the alcoholic beverage industry as a proud member of the National Association Licensing and Compliance Professionals (NALCP). Nick is considered the go-to lawyer when it comes to licensing in Iowa by entertainment and hospitality industry professionals. He represents local and national retailers, manufacturers, and wholesalers to ensure these industry members effectively and properly navigate the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division and local authority requirements in obtaining and retaining their liquor licenses in Iowa. Nick has built strong relationships with the State of Iowa regulators and local authorities across the state.

Dental practice legal representation in iowa

Nick has also built a successful dental law practice with ongoing representation of dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and other dental professionals throughout central Iowa. Nick, and his team, regularly assists dental professionals in the creation of new entities and starting a practice, buying, selling or leasing real estate, documenting the purchase or sale of a practice, preparing and reviewing employment and associate agreements, and handling disputes. Whether starting a new practice, selling a practice, or dealing with the ongoing issues related to maintaining the business, Nick has the expertise necessary to help navigate the myriad of complex legal issues that may arise.

law firm and legal community leadership

His colleagues, members of the Bar, and community members have applauded Nick’s leadership and communication abilities. Nick was the youngest member elected to the management team at Whitfield & Eddy and served as the chair of the firm’s management committee. Nick also serves on numerous community and legal boards as well as state bar committees and is a past president of the Polk County Bar Association. He has an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale Hubbell, has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Great Plains Super Lawyers, and is a graduate of Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Community Leadership Program.

Notable Work

• In 2023, Nick once again led his hardworking and talented team in connection with his ongoing representation of multiple financial institutions to document and close loan and servicing transactions across the country totaling nearly one billion dollars.

• Ongoing representation of many of the largest national restaurant chains with regard to licensing requirements throughout Iowa.

Contact Nick today or call 515-288-6041 for more information. 

Honors & Recognitions

• AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America in the area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Real Estate Law, and Commercial Litigation (2020—2025)
• Selected for inclusion in the Great Plains Super Lawyers in the field of Business/Corporate (Rising Stars: 2013—2014; Super Lawyers: 2024)
• Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project: recognized for 50 or more pro bono work hours (2011—2012, 2012—2013, 2014—2015, 2015—2016, 2016—2017, and 2017—2018). Recognized for pro bono work hours in (2019—2020, 2021—2022)
• Recipient of the Polk County Bar Associations Volunteer Lawyers (PCBA VLP) Outstanding Volunteer Award for 2008

Cases Presentations & Publications

Published Cases

• First American Bank v. Urbandale Laser Wash, LLC, et al., 871 N.W.2d 127 (Iowa Ct. App. 2015)
• Walnut Brewery, Inc. d/b/a Rock Bottom Brewery v. Iowa Department of Commerce-Alcoholic Beverages Division, 775 N.W.2d 724 (Iowa Ct. App. 2009)
• Liberty Bank, F.S.B. v. Best Litho, Inc., et al., 737 N.W.2d 312 (Iowa Ct. App. 2007)

Selected Publications, Presentations and Teaching Appointments

• Panelist, "Legislative Recap," National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals 17th Annual Conference, September 2022
• Co-Author, Co-Presenter (with Danya Keller), "Brewery and Distillery Business Entity Selection, Formation, Finance and Insurance" and "Licensing, Labeling and Regulatory Compliance," Brewery and Distillery Law in Iowa, National Business Institute, June 2017
• Author, “The Iowa Program for Alcohol Compliance Training,” National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals’ Newsletter, March 2013
• Author, “Infusion Comes To Iowa,” National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals’Newsletter, Fall 2012
• Author (with Kevin M. Reynolds), “Some ‘Unique’ Defenses Applicable to Punitive Damage Claims in Iowa,” Defense Update: The Iowa Defense Counsel Association Newsletter, Summer 2006
• Presenter (with Mark Hanson), “Drug and Crime Prevention in Apartments,” Iowa Landlord Association Fall 2004 Educational Seminar, Des Moines, Iowa, December 4, 2004
• Author, “Annexation in Iowa and the ‘Textbook Example’ of a Voluntary Annexation that Hardly Seems Voluntary,” Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, Spring 2004