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Danni J. Harris

also known as Danni Harris-Avery
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Avvo Rating10
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Licensed for 19 years
  • Free consultation
Danni J. Harris
Danni J. Harris
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About Danni

Caring, Compassionate and Committed to helping you.

I have over eighteen years of experience litigating complex legal matters. As a litigation attorney for the family law division at Whitfield & Eddy Law Firm, I currently focus my practice on litigating family law matters, including dissolution of marriage, custody, spousal support, domestic abuse, grandparent visitation, guardianship, termination of parental rights and adoption cases.  

I received my Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management with honors from Baylor University in 1996. In 1999, I graduated from Drake University Law School. Shortly after graduation I moved to Dallas and was admitted to the Texas bar. I worked as an Assistant District Attorney with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office prosecuting domestic abuse, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, assault, robbery and felony narcotics cases until 2003 when I left to become a solo practitioner and focus my practice on family law matters in the Juvenile and Family Law Courts. I moved back to Iowa and joined Iowa Legal Aid in 2008 as a staff attorney. I represented victims of domestic violence as part of the Women’s Equal Justice Project and as the Violence Against Women’s Act attorney during my time at Iowa Legal Aid.

It is an honor to practice law and help my clients navigate through extremely difficult circumstances. I consider it a privilege that clients trust me to zealously advocate for their best interests and the best interests of their loved ones.

 

 

Practice areas

Domestic violenceChild custodyDivorce and separation
  1. Divorce and separation: 40%

    15 years

  2. Child custody: 40%

    18 years

  3. Domestic violence: 20%

    20 years

Languages spoken

English

Contact

699 Walnut Street
address map

Whitfield & Eddy, PLC, Des Moines, Ia

699 Walnut Street
Suite 2000
Des Moines, IA, 50309

Office (515) 558-0125
Office (515) 288-6041
Fax (515) 246-1474

Website

https://www.whitfieldlaw.com/

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
IAActive200801/02/2020
TXMCLE Non-Practicing200012/22/2019
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers0
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Gold Client Champion AwardMartindale-Hubbell2019
Gold Client Champion AwardMartindale-Hubbell2017
Office of Violence Against Women Advocacy SkillsNational Institute for Trial Advocacy2014
Certificate of AppreciationIowa Legal Aid2013
Pro Bono Honor RollIowa State Bar Association2010
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Member AttorneyWhitfield & Eddy, PLC, Des Moines, Ia2018 - Present
AttorneyHope Law Firm2014 - 2018
Staff AttorneyIowa Legal Aid2008 - 2014
AttorneyBrisendine, Warmbrodt and Associates2006 - 2007
AttorneyDanni J. Harris - Solo Practitioner2003 - 2006
Assistant District AttorneyDallas County District Attorney's Office2000 - 2003
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
American Bar AssociationMember2017 - Present
Polk County Bar AssociationMember2010 - Present
Polk County Women AttorneysMember2010 - Present
Volunteer Lawyer's ProjectVolunteer Attorney2009 - Present
Iowa State Bar AssociationMember2008 - Present
State Bar of TexasMember2000 - Present
Beta Gamma SigmaNational Honor Society Member1996 - Present
Golden Key International Honor SocietyMember1996 - Present
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Probono.netLegal Remedies - Innocent Spouse Relief2014
Probono.netLegal Remedies - SSI/SSDI What's the Difference2014
Probono.netEstablishing Foundation for Evidence in Family Law Cases2010
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Drake UniversityDoctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.)1999
Baylor UniversityBachelor's of Business Administration with honors1996
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Family Violence Center Advocate TrainingCivil Legal Services for Domestic Abuse Victims2014
Des Moines Area Community College ESL classEarned Income Tax Credit and Custody2014
Family Violence CenterCivil Protective Orders - Full Faith and Credit2013
Advocate Level II TrainingHousing Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence2013
Advocate Level II Certification TrainingDomestic Violence Advocacy Training2013
New Advocate TrainingDomestic Abuse Litigation2012
Legal Aid Workgroup TrainingPresenting Evidence in Trial2010
Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter TrainingRecognizing Signs of Child Abuse2005
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
In re Marriage of MonatAffirmed
Bratton v. MinnixAffirmed
Fettkether v. KasterDistrict Court Affirmed
In Re CooleyDistrict Court Affirmed
In re Marriage of LynchAffirmed
In re Marriage of NeilsAffirmed

Reviews

(12)
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Review Danni Harris

Danni Harris

Posted by

Danni Harris is an excellent lawyer. She was responsive to my questions and explained the divorce process thoroughly. Danni was empathetic and compassionate regarding the sensitive nature of divorce, however, she was a strong advocate regarding important matters. I would recommend Danni to all friends and family.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Well versed and extremely knowledgeable

Posted by

Danni was always available for questions or concerns. She walked us through the guardianship process and assisted in making it a voluntary guardianship from the parents care to mine. Always had the best interests of our two year old and two month old grandsons as the first priority. I would recommend Danni to anyone searching for help with family matters.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
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Attorney endorsements

(12)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Jennifer Drake

I endorse this lawyer.

Samuel Charnetski, Divorce and separation Attorney on Dec 17, 2018
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Danni is a zealous advocate and consummate professional. She tirelessly works to ensure that her client is put in the best position possible. In the matters we have had together, Danni has been respectful and courteous. I look forward to working with her again.

Andrew Hope, Personal injury Attorney on Apr 21, 2017
Relationship: Co-worker

Danni is a tireless advocate for her clients. The trial skills she learned as lead prosecutor in many dozens of jury trials helped her become one of the best divorce and child custody trial lawyers in Iowa. If you are facing a difficult divorce or child custody dispute, look no further.

Ashley Tollakson, Family Attorney on Apr 20, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Danni is an excellent attorney who will go the extra mile for her clients. She is experienced, attentive and excells in the courtroom.

Ryan Babich, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 19, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Danni is an experienced family law attorney. She is knowledgeable in this area of the law and works hard on behalf of her clients.

Andrew Howie, Family Attorney on Apr 18, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I have had several cases when Ms. Harris represented the opposing party. She is a skillful professional who zealously works to advance her client's case while seeking amicable and reasonable solutions to contested matters.

Tyler Coe, Child custody Attorney on Apr 6, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Danni is a strong advocate for her clients. Her compassion for all she serves speaks volumes about her character.

Collin Davison, Business Attorney on Feb 8, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Stephen Neve, Divorce and separation Attorney on Sep 16, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker

Danni is one of the preeminent matrimonial lawyers in the Des Moines area. She is professional, extremely knowledgeable and an accomplished trial lawyer.

Katie Naset, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jul 10, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker

I've had the pleasure of working with Danni Harris for over five years. Danni is an experienced litigator with a passion for achieving the best results for her clients.

Katheryn Haywood, Criminal defense Attorney on May 21, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Danni is compassionate and a fierce advocate. She has always gone the extra mile for her clients and can represent you without judging you. She is uniquely skilled in all that she does.

Lori Magerko, Insurance Attorney on May 21, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Cost

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