When defending against criminal charges, the outcome of the case is largely determined by the knowledge, determination, and focus of the defense attorney. The consequences of a misdemeanor or felony conviction can have a lifelong impact. It is essential to work with a law firm that is focused exclusively on the representation of individuals charged with a criminal offense. Attorneys Sean P. Spellman and Attorney Molly “Mary” K. Spellman are a brother-sister team who will provide an honest assessment of your case, fight aggressively in your defense, and will maintain an open line of communication in doing so. Sean Spellman and Molly Spellman of Spellman Law, P.C., have focused on criminal defense matters throughout their legal careers. They handle felony and misdemeanor level offenses in Central Iowa (including but not limited to Polk, Dallas, Story, Warren, Boone, Jasper and Madison Counties) and throughout the State of Iowa. This focus allows them to stay current on the changing criminal laws and to best serve their clients.

As a litigator, John Q. Stoltze is proud to represent John Q. Public in any way he can, through trial and appeal. He passionately pursues his clients’ interests and tells it to them straight. Working with his dedicated team, he aims to get the best result possible for his clients and guides them through the hurdles and processes their legal claims will put in front of them. John likes to focus his expertise in personal injury, car accidents, and workers’ compensation, but often finds himself jumping into civil rights law and contract and insurance law, with the occasional class action on the side. Like the law, ever changing, John focuses on the problems his clients have at the time and will endeavor to aid them. Through years of practice, John has helped obtain favorable outcomes for numerous clients. John came from a family of lawyers, with his father and two of his brothers practicing before he, as the youngest, was finally able to get himself to law school at Des Moines’ local Drake University Law School. Now, he and his brother Bruce Jr. practice in their own firm as partners with their team of legal professionals. Working with his family has led him to benefit from the decades of experience of those that came before him. When outside of practice, he gets involved with the Iowa Association for Justice and interacts with the many attorneys that field the organization, spends time donating to the occasional charity for organizations like the Blank Children’s Hospital and the iCare Eat-a-thon, and works with his friends on a budding media business, BS Legal By Design. When he comes home, he cuddles up with his lovely partner and their adorable yellow lab, Logan.

Roger (R.J.) Hudson has been practicing law in Iowa for over 2 decades. After graduating from Drake University, R.J. spent 15 years at Hudson Mallaney, P.C., practicing as a trial lawyer for Iowa Domestic Relation and Iowa Divorce Law, Iowa Personal Injury Law, and Iowa Criminal Defense Law. In June of 2010, R.J. founded R.J. Hudson Law Firm P.C., where he continues unmatched legal service for his clients.

Hamilton Law Firm is one of the oldest family owned law firms in the state of Iowa. Founded in 1876, we have extensive experience, particularly in personal injury law. With three convenient locations in Iowa and clients in both Iowa and Nebraska, our attorneys provide legal counsel on a broad range of cases. Hamilton Law Firm is proud to be part of the history of the State of Iowa. Established in 1876, the firm’s legacy has remained with the descendants of the original founders. Today, Hamilton Law Firm is still owned and operated by the great-great grandchildren of founder A.D. Bailie. Our family name has changed over the years but as time goes by we press forward by continually maintaining respect for the judicial system, and by serving the community with our professionalism, experience and knowledge of the legal system of the State of Iowa. Mary attended the University of Arizona and then Buena Vista University, where she obtained an accounting degree. She passed the CPA exam and practiced as an accountant for 10 years before attending Creighton University Law School. She is admitted to Iowa state and federal courts.

After graduation from Notre Dame Law School, Aaron passed the bar exam in Arizona and Iowa, and then worked for several prominent Iowa immigration law firms, and was General Council at Alewelt Inc. Throughout his career, Aaron’s practice has focused on employment and immigration law, and Aaron’s practice has evolved to focus on business immigration with an emphasis on H-2A (Agricultural), H-2B (Non-agricultural) Temporary Labor, and TN (NAFTA Professionals) visas, while still significantly practicing in the areas of consular processing for all types of visas, administrative appeals, employment immigration compliance, and wage and hour laws. Aaron has spoken at numerous events and seminars on immigration law and corporate immigration compliance. Growing up, Aaron enjoyed all sports including basketball, snowboarding, soccer and tennis. Aaron put his athletic aspirations on hold to serve a two-year LDS mission in Croatia from 1995-1997. It was on this mission where Aaron was able to learn to speak Serbo-Croatian fluently and experience both the pains of the Yugoslavian Civil War and the excitement of peace as the civil war ended. Born to British parents, having a best friend who was German, and serving a mission in the Balkans, all factored into Aaron’s choice to study International Relations. Thus, after a brief period fulfilling a lifelong dream to play NCAA tennis, Aaron transferred to Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, UT where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in International Law and Diplomacy in 2000. Aaron is still an avid tennis player. Aaron is happily married, has 7 children and 2 stepchildren, and enjoys spending time with his family.

Stuart Matthews is a Senior Associate Attorney with The Bernard Firm. Stuart graduated law school from the University of Maryland School of Law, and has a Master of Arts in International Affairs from American University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Belmont University. Stuart brings to The Bernard Firm extensive experience with business and corporate immigration matters. He has extensive experience and knowledge in many subfields of immigration law and has worked with a variety of organizations and individuals to help them navigate the complex and ever-changing immigration landscape to achieve their lawful objectives in the United States. Stuart enjoys spending time with his family and traveling internationally.

Mark Simons is a highly skilled and experienced attorney based in West Des Moines, Iowa. With a reputation for excellence in the legal field, Mr. Simons has built a successful practice serving clients throughout the state of Iowa. He is known for his dedication to his clients and his commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for them. Mr. Simons specializes in a range of practice areas, including Divorce & Family Law, Business, Estate, Lawsuit & Dispute. If you're looking for a skilled and dedicated attorney in West Des Moines, Iowa, Mark Simons is an excellent choice.

Stephen received his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he served as Co-President of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Law Students Association. Stephen also graduated from Queen’s University in Canada with a Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law. While in Wisconsin, Stephen gained clinical experience supporting the Wisconsin Innocence Project as a law student and as a legal extern at the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, and continues to be active in the Asian American community and volunteers with Taiwan Innocence Project, offering his expertise to help communicate advanced legal concepts to people in the local community. Stephen is dedicated to serving clients with the highest level of professionalism and care. He comes from a background in providing full-service employment-based immigration solutions in the U.S., as well as Canadian immigration services and global visa processing. With knowledge across three practice areas (U.S., Canadian, and Global), Stephen is uniquely positioned to provide strategic, well-rounded immigration support to corporate clients with both U.S. and international operations. He offers a unique perspective, drawing on his lived experience as an immigrant from Taiwan, and leverages both his knowledge and personal understanding to guide clients through the complex immigration landscape. Outside of work, Stephen enjoys cinema, traveling around the world, wine tasting, cooking, and exploring food pairing combinations. Stephen is also passionate about tailoring and vintage clothing. He is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Taiwanese, and thinks he is a better karaoke singer than he actually is.

After graduating from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Afhan started his own practice in Houston, Texas. For over nine years, his practice focused on a wide range of immigration matters. In 2021, Afhan accepted a great opportunity to join The Bernard Firm PLC, and he moved to Ames, Iowa. Afhan’s practice is focused primarily on H-2B visas, I-9 audits, Department of Labor appeals, wage and hour audits and compliance, consular processing, and family-based immigration. Afhan’s family immigrated to the US when he was fifteen years old, and he is particularly interested in tackling the daily conflicts that perpetuate and sustain the field of Immigration Law. Afhan experienced how the immigration process can change lives for the better, and it has always been important to him to practice in a field of law that allows him to help others achieve the American dream – the same way his family did. For him, there is no other field of law that is as gratifying or fulfilling. Afhan is happily married, and he and his wife enjoy traveling and going on long drives.

Al Willett is a practicing lawyer in the state of Iowa. He currently works for the privately owned firm of Viner Law Firm with experience in Federal Criminal Defense.