Harley Christopher Erbe

Harley Christopher Erbe

4.9
Rating: 9.0

Licensed for 26 years

Personal injury Lawyer at Des Moines, IA
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Employment & Labor, Car Accidents ... +3 more

2501 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA

About Harley

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Car Accident 19%

Your car transports you for all the activities of your daily life. When traveling on Iowa's roadways you don't expect to be in a car accident. But car accidents do occur, sometimes causing serious injuries or even death. Very serious injury car accidents are commonly caused by drunk driving or inattentive, reckless, or negligent drivers. Common types of injuries from a car accident include broken bones and ligament tears; neck, shoulder, back, and spinal injuries; and head injuries.

26 years

19%
Construction and Development 19%

There are two different types of defects in construction defect law: design defects and construction defects. A design defect is an inherent failure of the design of a structure. A construction defect is a failure to adhere to the approved design of the structure. The classification of the defect usually determines which party or parties are at fault for the defect.

26 years

19%
Employment and Labor 19%

Employment law governs the entire relationship between employer and employee. We have handled many employment law cases through trial and appeal in areas such as wage or overtime law, discrimination, employee drug or alcohol testing, wrongful termination, covenants not to compete, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. Employment law is a broad category that covers many different possible employment situations.

26 years

19%
Insurance 19%

Insurance companies do not always come through in the tough times. An insurance coverage issue may arise because the insurance company doesn't believe that the claim is covered under the policy. Or the insurer may argue that not all of the "loss" is covered and wants to pay less than you think you're entitled to. When insurance companies fail to live up to the terms of their policies by delaying or denying payment of valid claims you have options.

26 years

19%
Personal Injury 19%

When an individual is injured or dies because of the negligence of another party, that party is liable for the damages caused to the individual and the individual's family. In these cases the medical expenses have a specific price tag. The physical, psychological, and emotional suffering of the family involved does not. We will work to bring justice to the party at fault, get fair and just compensation for the hardship of the victim(s), and provide what solace we can to the family of the victim.

26 years

19%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Contingency

33%-40%


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Licenses

Licensed in Iowa for 26 years

State: Iowa

Acquired: 1999

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Erbe Law Firm

2501 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312

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Harley Christopher Erbe's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

22 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (22) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by DeAngela | July 26, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents

Harley gets the job done!

I was in an car accident back in July 2022. I was in search of an attorney and the good Lord led me to Harley. Harley I just want to thank you for your service. You were remarkable in handling my case. I m grateful for your commitment, effort , communication and honesty through the whole process. I'...m a little overdue of giving you my review, but it has been on my to do list. Keep up the great work. Keep shining! - DeAngela Brooks

Posted by Jamie | February 07, 2022 | Hired Attorney

So grateful for Erbe Lawfirm!

I was dealing with a difficult situation and urgently needed representation. I searched online and am SO thankful I found Harley. He immediately assessed my situation and put a plan in place. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable and efficient, he is genuinely interested in helping his clients. His ...communication throughout the entire process was top notch. Fees were reasonable and the outcome was exactly as I hoped. I can't truly thank him enough!!!

Posted by Shannon | April 06, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

Great Service

I consulted him about an unemployment benefits appeal. He was knowledgable about the situation and answered all my questions in a professional manner. He filed the appeal promptly and then represented me during the hearing. He continues to provide assistance and support as I go through the process ag...ain.

Posted by Jason | February 16, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Phenomenal Attorney!

Harley is a phenomenal attorney! I hired Harley to represent me in a case that took longer than we expected but he truly did a great job. He listens to your goals and helps develop a strategy that can work. He's an absolute top notch attorney at a very reasonable price. I've worked with a number ...of attorneys over the years and Harley's easily one of the best communicators that I've worked with. He gets back to you quickly and is extremely easy to get in contact with. One of the things that I appreciated the most was that he was honest and upfront with me the entire time. He went above and beyond my expectations especially for the amount of time he dedicated to our case.

Harley Erbe

Replied last February 16, 2020

Thank you for this nice review Jason. I sure wish things had proceeded more quickly and generated a better result than they did, but circumstances conspired against us. That'll always disappoint me. But I appreciate and thank you for your patience and understanding as I was constantly delayed and impeded by events beyond my control. Please don't hesitate to reach out if there's ever anything else I can help you with.

Posted by TOM | February 03, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Consumer Protection

Insurance Suit

Harley agreed to represent my wife and I after we purchased an extended warranty on a used diesel pickup that later had a catastrophic $12K breakdown. Though the part that failed was not listed as an exclusion the warranty co. chose not to pay! Through several tries and help from attorney friends we ...finally came across the Erbe firm. From the initial consult I found Harley to be straight forward and honest and knew if we had a chance to recoup moneys we had found a great advocate! Harley was always punctual with communications, open and realistic during the negotiations and did what said he would. We ended up getting about 80% of our losses but were saved the expense and bother of a trial that would have cost us time and $$. I hope we never need his help again but if we do I would not hesitate to call the Erbe Law Firm!!!

Harley Erbe

Replied last February 03, 2020

Thank you for your kind review Tom. I appreciate the opportunity to help with your situation. My door's always open if you or your family ever need help with anything else.

See All Client Reviews

Harley Christopher Erbe's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Harley
Amy Kathryn Pietrowski headshot
Amy Pietrowski

Car accident lawyer | May 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Marlon D. Mormann headshot
Marlon Mormann

Personal injury lawyer | Jul 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Well respected in local community. Ethical and competent."

Anthony J. Olson headshot
Anthony Olson

Car accident lawyer | May 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Apr 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Francis E. Younes headshot
Francis Younes

Unknown lawyer | Mar 11

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Erbe provides accurate answers and is effective in his practice areas."

View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  9.0 (Superb)

Honors

2020

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Great Plains Super Lawyers

2015

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2014

Top 40 under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association

1999

M. Gene Blackburn Award, Drake University Law School

1999

Order Of The Coif, Drake University Law School

1999

High Honors, Drake University Law School

1998

CALI Excellence For The Future Award -- Products Liability, Drake University Law School

1997

American Jurisprudence Award -- Torts, Drake University Law School

1997

CALI Excellence For The Future Award -- Torts, Drake University Law School

Work Experience

2005 - Present

Attorney/Owner, Erbe Law Firm

2002 - 2005

Owner, Nelson, Erbe & Webster

1999 - 2002

Associate, Walker Law Firm

Associations

2021 - Present

Litigation Counsel Of America

Fellow

2019 - Present

Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers

Fellow

2018 - Present

American Board of Trial Advocates

Member

2017 - Present

Great Plains Super Lawyers

Member

2015 - Present

American Academy Of Trial Attorneys

Member

2013 - Present

The National Trial Lawyers

Member

2006 - Present

Des Moines Business Exchange

Member

1999 - Present

Iowa State Bar Association

Member

1999 - Present

Iowa Association for Justice

Member

1999 - Present

American Inns of Court

Member

1997 - 1998

Drake University Law Review

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Tope v. Greiner

$950,000 Trial Court Judgment

Ramos v. Wells Enterprises

Trial judgment for client.

Schram v. Bilgi

Trial judgment for client on all claims.

Mcgeev. Chevron Phillips Chemical Company

Trial judgment for client.

Nelson v. Lampe

Jury verdict for client.

Barnes v. Albertson's

Jury verdict for client.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1999

Drake University Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1996

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2012

Construction Defect Seminar

Construction Defect Law

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
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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