Born September 20, 1958 in Buffalo, N.Y., Tim is a graduate of Creighton University (B.A. 1981) and the University of Iowa College of Law (J.D. with Distinction in the Accelerated Program Class of 1983). Tim is admitted to practice in both the State and Federal District and Appeals Court (8th Circuit). Tim is a member of the General Practice Section of the Iowa State Bar Association. Tim’s practice area is 100% plaintiff’s personal injury. Tim represents those injured and family members of those killed by the wrongful (negligent) acts of others. In 2014, 2015 and 2016 Tim spoke to over 2000 attorneys and their legal staff as well as traveled to Kansas and South Dakota to teach/speak about Iowa’s new Expedited Civil Actions (ECA) procedure for cases of a lower value. Tim was one of 12 members serving on a Supreme Court Task Force charged with creating such a new system for Iowa. After countless hours and meetings, the Task Force delivered its proposal to the Iowa Supreme which accepted it with few changes. The new system went into effect January 1, 2015. In less than 15 months over 550 ECA Cases had been filed in a time of declining civil case filings. Iowa’s ECA system is believed to be one of the most utilized types of systems in the country. Tim and others have traveled to other states to talk about Iowa’s ECA system. Tim feels his service with the Iowa Association for Justice (IAJ) f/k/a the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, culminating in him becoming President in 2017 and his work on creating Iowa’s ECA system will be a part of his legacy to Iowa’s Civil Justice system. As a result of Tim’s work for the IAJ, he received the highest honor the organization bestows, the Verne Lawyer Outstanding Member award for his service on the Supreme Court Task Force which created the ECA system for Iowa. In 2010 Tim was honored with IAJ’s Key Person Award for his work as Chair of the Iowa Legislative Committee. This committee monitors every proposed bill introduced in the Iowa Legislature to look for those which would take away the rights of Iowans injured by the actions of others. The committee also proposes pro-justice laws and lobbies elected officials. In 2000 Tim was the recipient of the 1st annual Iowa State Bar Association Community Service Award.
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
IA | Active | 1983 | 06/13/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
AV Preeminent Rating | Martindale-Hubbell® | 2022 |
Distinguished Attorney | Martindale-Hubbell® | 2022 |
Best Law Firm - Trusts & Estates Law (Metropolitan Tier 2) | Best Lawyers | 2022 |
Best Lawyer | Best Lawyers | 2022 |
Top-Listed City Awards | Best Lawyers | 2022 |
Best Law Firm - Trusts & Estates Law (Metropolitan Tier 3) | Best Lawyers | 2021 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2021 |
Distinguished Attorney | Martindale-Hubbell | 2021 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2020 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2019 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2018 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2017 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2016 |
BV Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2015 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2014 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2013 |
Outstanding Member Award | Iowa Association for Justice | 2013 |
Key Person Award | Iowa Association for Justice | 2010 |
Community Service Award | Iowa State Bar Association | 2000 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | Vriezelaar, Tigges, Edgington, Bottaro, Boden & Lessmann Law Firm | 1995 - Present |
Adjunct Professor | Briar Cliff University | 1985 - 1990 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Iowa American Board of Trial Advocates | President | 2021 - Present |
Iowa Association for Justice | President-Elect | 2016 - Present |
Iowa Association of Justice | Vice President | 2014 - 2015 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Law Firm Blog | What You Should Do If You Are In An Accident | 2020 |
Law Firm Blog | Dealing With Insurance Companies After You've Been In An Accident | 2020 |
Law Firm Blog | What Should I Consider When Choosing Auto Insurance Coverage? | 2020 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Iowa College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1983 |
Creighton University | BA | 1981 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Iowa High School Mock Trials | Mock Trials | 2022 |
IAJ Personal Injury Seminar | The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - An Educational and Cautionary Tale Surrounding Mass Torts and Products Cases | 2022 |
Iowa Middle School Mock Trials | Mock Trials | 2021 |
The New Rules for Staff and Attorneys | The New Rules | 2015 |
IAJ Annual Convention | Annual Legislative Update | 2015 |
Annual Plaintiff's Semiinar | Insurance Agent Immunities | 2014 |
Posted by Jen
March 31, 2022
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Revathi Truong, Personal injury Attorney on Mar 10, 2020
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Ryan Ross, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 19, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Revathi Truong, Personal injury Attorney on Mar 10, 2020
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Ryan Ross, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 19, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Thomas Farnsworth, Personal injury Attorney on Apr 17, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Tim is a skilled attorney. He is extremely knowledgeable and personable. I would have no reservations him representing a family member or friend.
Amanda Van Wyhe, Unknown Attorney on Nov 16, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.