Jaki Samuelson Receives Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys Arabella Mansfield Award
Attorney Jaki Samuelson received the Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys (I.O.W.A.) Arabella Mansfield Award on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the I.O.W.A. Annual Awards Gala in Des Moines.
about arabella Mansfield
The Arabella Mansfield Award was established in 2002 and recognizes outstanding women lawyers in Iowa who have promoted and nurtured women in the legal profession. Arabella Mansfield was the first woman lawyer admitted to practice law in the United States. Mansfield was awarded her license to practice law in the Union Block Building in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa in 1869. The Union Block Building is the location of the Whitfield & Eddy Law Mt. Pleasant office.
about jaki samuelson
In a nomination letter from retired Whitfield & Eddy attorney, Maureen Roach Tobin, she lauded Jaki's efforts over the years to encourage more women to apply for judicial positions and encouraged more women to enter private practice. Jaki's empowering and steady personal and professional guidance supported Maureen and the women who followed as associates and partners.
Jaki is current co-chair of the Whitfield & Eddy Law Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and current firm General Counsel. She has served as chair of the Whitfield & Eddy Law Labor & Employment Practice Group and also a founder of the Whitfield Women where female attorneys at the firm share personal, professional, and community service experience.
Through Jaki's career, she has held many leadership roles in the bar including Fellow and President of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, President of the Iowa Defense Counsel Association, Chair of the Polk County Women Attorneys Professional Action Committee, member of the Iowa Judicial Qualifications Commission, member of the Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission, member of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Fifth Judicial District of Iowa, and a founding member and first president of the Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys.
Jaki has been recognized for her expertise by both clients and colleagues in Chambers USA, Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers including being recognized as "Lawyer of the Year." She is a regular speaker in local, regional, national, and international forums on labor and employment topics.
Learn more about I.O.W.A. and the arabella Mansfield Award
For more information visit the I.O.W.A. website.