Scott Alan Michels

PRO

Scott Alan Michels

4.9
Rating: 8.7

Licensed for 18 years

DUI and DWI Lawyer at West Des Moines, IA
Practice Areas: DUI & DWI, Criminal Defense, Workers Compensation ... +2 more

440 Fairway Dr., Suite 210, West Des Moines, IA

About Scott

Biography

Shut Up. Wise Up. Lawyer Up.

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

DUI and DWI 45%

19 years

45%
Criminal Defense 35%

19 years

35%
Workers Compensation 10%

16 years

10%
Administrative Law 5%

Challenging suspension and revocation of driver's licenses for habitual violator, serious violations, and driving probation violations.

19 years

5%
Personal Injury 5%

13 years

5%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2022 2021 2019

Licenses

Licensed in Iowa for 18 years

State: Iowa

Acquired: 2007

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Gourley, Rehkemper & Lindholm, PLC

440 Fairway Dr., Suite 210, West Des Moines, IA, 50266

grllaw.com

Gourley, Rehkemper & Lindholm, PLC

520 South Pierce Avenue, Suite 209, Mason City, IA, 50401

grllaw.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Scott online.

Scott Alan Michels's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

38 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (38) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 10 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Logan | February 06, 2023 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

Scott and Emily

I got pulled over and at risk of losing my cdl, and job. With the help of Scott and Emily I got to keep everything. They are both very helpful and knowledgeable and I would recommend them if you ever need a good dui lawyer.

Posted by anonymous | July 18, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Excellent representation

Scott represented me with a corporate criminal defense case. I was terrified interacting with corporate attorneys, however he immediately eased my fears and represented me fairly and offered excellent communication throughout the entire process. I truly do not know what I would have done without him ...and I am eternally grateful. He helped me settle in a fair and rapid fashion , and saved me a lot of unnecessary grief.

Posted by anonymous | May 08, 2022 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

Incredibly grateful for his expertise. Positive experience!

After calling several law firms and not receiving help, I reached Scott at GRL Law. From the first conversation, he reviewed the alleged OWI/single car accident. He discussed his services and fees, and advised me how to proceed. My wife and I were impressed with the attention to detail and the quick... follow-up once we had submitted our client information and fees. He strategically made several moves to help me retain my CDL during the legal proceedings. He was instrumental in reviewing all the of the reports, tests, and videos to make sure my rights were not violated. In the end, the OWI infraction did NOT stand, I never lost my license, and I retained my CDL and earning capacity. Lesser charges were substituted for the OWI once Scott handled my case. The financial impact to my family and the burden of having an OWI was greatly reduced considering the outcome of my case. I would not hesitate to recommend Scott Michels. He and his assistant, Emily, were always timely and detailed with the communications to me. I was more than impressed. A grateful client.....

Posted by Kyle | December 27, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

DUI Case

Scott Micheals was the lawyer that I hired for my case. I appreciated the updates throughout the case, always letting me now what the situation was and how he recommends how it should proceed. Pretty impressed by the way everything was handled with him looking over the videos presented and figuring o...ut the best wag to go forward. Very knowledgeable with cases like mine and wouldn’t think twice about recommended him to someone else in my situation. Even though the case didn’t go exactly my way I am pleased with the amount of effort put in to it.

Posted by anonymous | November 18, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Scott Michaels a great for representation!!

Scott Michaels was very helpful with my case. He was extremely understanding, thorough, and concise. I had no trouble doing everything I was supposed to, and I felt confident that he was going help me to achieve a better outcome. I never had much for doubt because I was comfortable in the fact that h...e knew who we were working with and what we could use to help me to minimize the situation as much as possible. He looked over my tapes and reviewed them with me over the phone and I felt like I could trust that he was finding everything there is to back up our claim.

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Scott Alan Michels's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Scott
Christine E Branstad Esq headshot
Christine Branstad

Sex crime lawyer | Feb 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Scott knows the law and knows the right steps for clients. When I recently consulted Scott on a case, he cited the code section and talked about how to practically apply the law. In addition, he didn't take money from a client when he did not think he could do some good. That makes him a good lawyer and a good guy."

Robert G Rehkemper III headshot
Robert Rehkemper

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 10

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"A leader in his field. Scott's relentless defense and representation of his clients has set him apart from other attorneys. He truly cares about each person he represents and does whatever is necessary to ensure that justice is achieved. Scott doesn't give up or take the easy way out. He is tenacious, presses on, does it right and makes sure that his people are taken care of. Scott cares. Scott fights. Scott's clients win."

Matthew Hartman McKinney headshot
Matthew McKinney

Unknown lawyer | Aug 30

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have had the opportunity to work as opposing counsel to Scott on numerous occasions. Scott and his colleagues are solid advocates in the court room who come prepared with knowledge and experience on criminal law matters."

Matthew Thomas Lindholm headshot
Matthew Lindholm

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 10

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"I have known Scott for going on 10 years now and his knowledge of the law, preparation, and desire to win are attributes that continue to put him as one of the top criminal defense attorneys in Iowa."

Nicholas Arthur Sarcone headshot
Nicholas Sarcone

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jan 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Quality lawyer with high ethical standards. Does excellent work for his clients! Highly recommended."

Colin Christopher Murphy headshot
Colin Murphy

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jul 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I attended a specialized, three-day training in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing with Scott last August in Denver, Colorado. He stood out among many experienced DUI trial attorneys for his ability to quickly grasp and apply the techniques involved in the administration and scoring of these tests. I know he possesses the critical insight and advanced knowledge necessary to defend someone against the State's claim that they are "under the influence" due to the results of the SFSTs. If you or someone you know is charged with OWI in Iowa, you should be represented by a skilled attorney like Scott who can create reasonable doubt by critically cross-examining the arresting officer. His training in this area sets him apart from others."

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Matthew Hartman McKinney headshot
Matthew McKinney

Unknown lawyer

Matthew Thomas Lindholm headshot
Matthew Lindholm

DUI and DWI lawyer

Colin Christopher Murphy headshot
Colin Murphy

DUI and DWI lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.7 (Excellent)

Honors

2016

Summer Session, National College of DUI Defense

2014

Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers

2009

NHTSA Field Sobriety Test Certification, NHTSA/IACP

2009

Young Alumni Award, Upper Iowa University

2007

Constitutional Law and Civil Rights Certificate, Drake University School of Law

2007

Litigation and Dispute Resolution Certificate, Drake University School of Law

Work Experience

2007 - Present

Junior Partner, Gourley, Rehkemper & Lindholm PLC

Associations

2016 - Present

National College of DUI Defense

Member

2014 - Present

DUI Defense Lawyers Association

Member

2009 - Present

Iowa Association for Justice

Member

2008 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

Member

2007 - Present

Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2007 - Present

Iowa State Bar Association

Member

2007 - Present

Polk County Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

State v. M.S.

Removed from registry

State v. D.S.

Removed from registry

State v. Smith

Dismissed

X.C. v. J&K Animal Adventures

$95,000

Muller v. Iowa Home Care

$160,000 settlement on top of health care and weekly benefits paid

State v. Hauser

Pled guilty to misdemeanor charges

Christiansen v. Underdogs

$25,000 settlement

State v. Dimmler

Pled guilty to two simple misdemeanors

Rahn v. OMG Midwest

$125,000 settlement on top health care and weekly benefits paid

State v. Knudtson

Not Guilty

State v. Heagel

Not Guilty

State v. Nunez-Guzman

Not Guilty

State v. Preston

Dismissal

State v. Mueggenberg

Not Guilty

State v. Felper

Dismissed

State v. Holloway

Not Guilty

State v. Wilson

Dismissed

State v. Hermes

Dismissed

See More Legal Cases

Education

2007

Drake University

JD - Juris Doctor

2003

Upper Iowa University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2014

Drinking and Driving Informational Meeting

Know Your Rights

2014

Annual Seminar on Iowa Criminal Law and Procedure

Sex Offender Registry Modification

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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