Brian Patrick Rickert

Brian P. Rickert is a member of BrownWinick and has a primary focus on litigation of matters for public and private businesses, and individuals in a variety of areas including agribusiness, construction, energy, environmental, and real estate, among others.  In recent years, Brian has litigated complex business disputes, various business torts including fraud and interference with contracts, conflicts between business competitors, claims between majority and minority shareholders, relations and disputes with governmental agencies, and various other contract and tort claims.  Brian has also handled employment lawsuits involving wrongful termination, discrimination, and claims arising from non-compete, non-solicitation and other agreements.  He is involved in lawsuits not only in Iowa, but all over the Midwest, serving as lead counsel in numerous matters where the amount in controversy involves seven and eight figures.

Brian has established himself as one of the leading courtroom advocates in Iowa having been selected as a leader in Iowa in the Chambers USA® listing for commercial litigation, listed in The Best Lawyers in America®  for construction law, listed in Super Lawyers® for construction law, selected as a Fellow in the prestigious Litigation Counsel of America, and has received other awards.  He is AV-rated in Martindale-Hubbell.

Brian is Chair of the firm's Construction Law practice group and spends a significant amount of time representing owners, architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, insurers and sureties in all facets of their business, including litigation and arbitration of claims, and regulatory and legislative guidance and advice.  He is also a frequent speaker to professionals, trade associations, and attorneys on topics relating to construction law and litigation.  Brian has also provided testimony or background information to legislative committees and members on construction and litigation related legislation.

Brian also serves as corporate counsel for a number of businesses across Iowa and national counsel for certain construction and energy-related companies.  In this position, he counsels his clients on organizational and start-up issues, employment issues, regulatory matters, and other corporate matters.

Brian is a member of the Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; the American Bar Association's Forum on the Construction Industry and Construction Litigation Committee; Master Builders of Iowa; and the Associated General Contractors of Iowa.  He serves on the Federal Practice Committee of the Iowa State Bar Association, and is a founding member of the Construction Law Section of the Iowa State Bar Association.

Brian also serves in many community roles. He is a graduate of Leadership Iowa, the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and the West Des Moines Leadership Academy.  He is a member of the Blank Park Zoo's Board of Directors, serves as a Trustee on the Board of the West Des Moines Water Works, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Taxpayers Association of Central Iowa.  He is also active in political circles in Iowa and is active in many Iowa campaigns.  In 2005, he was selected by the Des Moines Business Record as one of the top 40 business leaders in Central Iowa under the age of 40.

Brian received his J.D., with honors, from Drake University where he served on the Drake Law Review, and received his Finance Degree from the University of Iowa.  He is licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri, as well as the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.