Elizabeth A. Grob
Email:
Tel/Direct:
515-246-0305
Tel/Main:
515-243-7611
Address:
100 Court Avenue, Suite 600
Des Moines, IA 50309-2231
Assistant:
Nita Jackson
515-246-4424
njackson@ahlerslaw.com
Practice Groups
Court Admissions
All Iowa Courts
U.S. District Courts – Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa
Education
J.D. (with Honors), Drake University, 1996
M.A., University of Missouri, 1990
B.S., University of Mississippi, 1988
Bar Admissions
Iowa, 1996
Background
As a bond lawyer, Beth spends the majority of her time assisting community college and school district clients in the issuance of governmental bonds. Beth has previously chaired the firm's Public Finance Practice Group for many years. As bond counsel, Beth guides the issuer in its preparations for debt issuances, and prepares all proceedings and approvals necessary to authorize the issuance and delivery of the obligations to the initial purchaser. In this role, Beth assists clients with regard to state and federal laws, including applicable federal tax and securities regulations, and provides a validity and tax opinion upon issuance. Beth also spends a significant amount of time assisting her clients with finance issues that are unique to community colleges and school districts.
Beth has served as bond counsel for the issuance of general obligation bonds, parity and subordinate sales tax revenue bonds, and, with the adoption of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, Qualified School Construction Bonds, and Qualified Zone Academy Bonds. As a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers, Beth stays current on the latest federal municipal tax and securities regulations.
In addition to governmental bond issues, Beth represents Iowa Public Agency Investment Trust, a local government investment pool of cities, counties, and municipal utilities with approximately $1,000,000,000 currently under management; and Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust, a local government investment pool of community colleges and school districts with approximately $1,200,000,000 currently under management.
Beth was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. After college, Beth worked in the labor relations department of a major St. Louis area employer, which is what started her interest in the practice of law. A graduate of Drake Law School, she was a member of the Drake Law Review.
Representative Projects
- Counsels school districts in the negotiation and drafting of agreements.
- Counsels school districts in the issuance of general obligation and revenue bond financings, including Qualified School Construction Bonds and Qualified Zone Academy Bonds.
- Counsels school districts in connection with public investments and use of various revenue sources.
- Counsels governmental entities in connection with corporate governance issues.
Memberships
American Bar Association – Sections: Government Practice, State and Local Law; Past Section Member: Young Lawyers Division
Iowa State Bar Association
Polk County Bar Association
Dallas County Bar Association
National Association of Bond Lawyers
Women in Public Finance, Iowa Chapter
Council of School Attorneys
Order of the Coif
Recognitions
Martindale-Hubbell® – AV® Rating
Martindale-Hubbell® – AV® Rating, Preeminent Attorney - Judicial Edition (2025)
Best Lawyers in America®
- Municipal Law (2013-2025)
- Public Finance Law (2024-2025)
Iowa State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Star of the Quarter (2000-2001)
Speaking/Presentations
Beth's most recent speaking engagements include:
Iowa Association of School Business Officials, Spring Conference, "Donations, Naming Rights & Donor Control" and "Permissible Investments for Iowa Schools," March 2024
Iowa State University, Iowa School Business Management Academy, "Legal - Bonding & Contracting," with James Wainwright, May 2023
Iowa Association of School Business Officials, Spring Conference, "Bond Procedures - Graduate Course," with Matt Gillaspie, Piper Sandler, March 2023
Iowa State University, Iowa School Business Management Academy, "Legal-Bonding & Contracting" with James Wainwright and “UAP Chapter 2 and 11 on Elections / Revenue Purpose Statements / GO Bonds Timing and Planning” with Joseph Malanson, April 2022
Iowa Council of School Attorneys, "Update – COVID’s Impact on School Finances," November 2021
Iowa State University, Iowa School Business Management Academy, “Legal - Bonding & Contracting," with James Wainwright, 2000 - Present
Iowa State University, Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute & Academy, “Public Funds,” 2004 - Present
Iowa Council of School Attorneys, "COVID Impact on School Finances," November 2020
Iowa Association of School Boards, Annual Convention, "Top 10 Election Law & Sales Tax Extension Questions," November 2019
Iowa Association of School Boards, Policy Leadership & Legal Issues Conference, “How Much Oversight is Enough? The Board’s Responsibility to School Financial Records and Reports,” April 2019
Ahlers & Cooney P.C., Webinar, "SEC Amendments to Rule 15c2-12 on Disclosure for Municipal Securities," January 2019
Published Articles & Books
“SEC Creates New Disclosure Obligations,” Cityscape, Iowa League of Cities, Vol. 73, March 2019, Co-author
“Report of the Committee on Public Education: Recent Developments in Public Education Law,” The Urban Lawyer, Vol. 31, Winter 1999, Co-author
“Report of the Committee on Public Education: Recent Developments in Public Education Law,” The Urban Lawyer, Vol. 29, Fall 1997, Co-author
“Report of the Committee on Public Education: Recent Developments in Public Education Law,” The Urban Lawyer, Vol. 28, Fall 1996, Co-author
“Planning and Financing School Improvement and Construction Projects,” 57 NOLPE Monograph Series, 1996 (Edgar Bittle, ed.), Contributing Author
Professional, Community and Civic Leadership
Iowa Legal Aid, Board of Directors, 2021 - present
Women in Public Finance, Iowa Chapter, Board of Directors, Vice President, 2021 - present
Iowa State Bar Association, Membership Committee (1998-2003), Past Co-Chair (2002-2003)
Lutheran Church of Hope