Joel E. Fenton

Joel E. Fenton

4.8
Rating: 5.4

Licensed for 29 years

Social Security & Disability Lawyer at Des Moines, IA
Practice Areas: Social Security, Criminal Defense, Workers Compensation ... +3 more

309 Court Avenue, Suite 224, Des Moines, IA

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024
See Details

About Joel

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Social Security & Disability 25%

Social Security Disability, SSI, Children's SSI, Federal Court Appeals

25%
Criminal Defense 20%

Felonies and misdemeanors, OWI, domestic assault, theft and property crimes, assaults and harassment. Drug crimes. Post-conviction relief, probation violations, criminal appeals.

20%
Appeals 15%

Appeals for civil and criminal cases before the Iowa Supreme Court. Post-conviction relief in Iowa criminal cases. Appeals in United States District Court in Iowa and Nebraska, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, Court of Veterans Claims.

15%
Personal Injury 15%

Automobile accidents, slip and fall, professional malpractice (legal, dental, medical), dog bites, assaults

15%
Workers Compensation 15%

Including Federal Workers' Compensation (FECA/OWCP)

15%
Administrative Law 10%

VA Accredited attorney, practicing in Veterans' Benefits law and Veterans' Disability law.

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 165-300 per hour

Contingency

25%-40%

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Iowa for 29 years

State: Iowa

Acquired: 1996

Suspended

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2024

Location

Joel Fenton

309 Court Avenue, Suite 224, Des Moines, IA, 50309

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Joel E. Fenton's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (5) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | General Knowledge

Posted by Lauren | February 26, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Contracts & Agreements

Easy to work with!

Joel has helped me with several business contracts and communications as well as represented me in a court in a guardianship case. Joel provided helpful guidance to ensure my contract needs were met and added language to proactively address potential risk. He communicated with me throughout the pro...cess and I was pleased with the end result. He was fantastic in the courtroom and the issue was resolved to everyone's satisfaction.

See All Client Reviews

Joel E. Fenton's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Joel
Thomas Deacon Steven Farnsworth headshot
Thomas Farnsworth

General practice lawyer | May 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have come to know Joel over the years through his work with the Iowa Association for Justice. Joel chairs the Amicus Brief Writing Committee. The Amicus Committee writes briefs in support of issues that are pending on appeal. Joel is a skilled writer. Speaking with Joel it is obvious that he has a passion for his clients he represents. He has a command of current case law that position his clients for success in what ever legal arena they may enter. I recommend Joel for any legal fight a person need to engage in!"

Jeremy Feitelson B.A. headshot
Jeremy Feitelson

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have worked with Joel numerous times and have always been pleased with his professionalism and preparedness. He is an excellent attorney and cares about his clients."

View All Endorsements
Thomas Deacon Steven Farnsworth headshot
Thomas Farnsworth

Criminal defense lawyer

Edward Samuel Fishman headshot
Edward Fishman

Criminal defense lawyer

Jeremy Feitelson B.A. headshot
Jeremy Feitelson

Unknown lawyer

Nicholas B Dial headshot
Nicholas Dial

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  5.4 (Average)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024.

Suspension issued in IA, 2024

updated on 06/16/2025

This means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Suspension issued in IA, 2024

updated on 12/09/2024

This means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Suspension issued in IA, 2020

updated on 08/20/2020

This means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Honors

2018

Roxanne Conlin Public Service Award, Iowa Association for Justice

2018

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

1997 - Present

Attorney, Law Offices of Joel E. Fenton

Associations

2018 - Present

Tribal Bar, Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa (Meskwaki Settlement)

Member

2017 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member

2017 - Present

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys

Member

2016 - Present

Iowa Association for Justice

Chairman, Amicus Committee

2016 - Present

Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group

Member

2016 - Present

C. Edwin Moore American Inn of Court

Master of the Bench

2016 - Present

American Association for Justice

Member

2014 - Present

Veterans' Administration

Accredited Attorney

2014 - Present

Iowa Association for Justice

Governor at Large, Board of Governors

2014 - Present

National Organization of Veterans' Advocates

Member

2013 - Present

Polk County Bar Association

Member

1998 - Present

National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives

Sustaining Member

1996 - Present

Iowa Association for Justice

Sustaining Member

1996 - Present

Iowa State Bar Association

Member

Education

1996

Drake University Law School

JD

1991

Wartburg College

BA

Speaking Engagements

2015

Spring CLE

Clients Relations and Ethics

2000

Rapid Fire: Tips for Practitioners

Drive Now and Talk Later: Cellular Phone Use and the Motor Vehicle Accident in Iowa

1999

Personal Injury Seminar

EMTALA, Federal Law, and State Tort Actions

Publications

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution