Elizabeth B. Burnett - Brochure
 

Education

J.D., cum laude, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 2019

B.A., Grinnell College, Economics, 2013

  

Practice Groups

  • Economic Development/Urban Renewal
  • Public Finance

Overview

With a passion for government law and the impact her work has on Iowa’s communities and citizens, Elizabeth joined the Ahlers firm in 2021 as part of the Public Law Practice Area, focused on Public Finance law. She also currently serves as the chair of the firm's Wellbeing Committee.

As a bond lawyer, Elizabeth works with cities, counties, and municipal utilities in the planning and financing of capital projects. This includes planning sessions, public meetings, analysis of state law and constitutional authority, working with financial advisors, and preparing proceedings for the sale and issuance of governmental bonding for a wide variety of projects.

Elizabeth has prior experience working for both state of Iowa and federal agencies, which has given her a broad perspective of how government agencies work, as well as a strong understanding of state and federal regulations. Prior to joining Ahlers, she was an Attorney with the Iowa Department of Revenue – Legal Services and Appeals division, where she provided legal advice on complex tax laws, regulations, and policies for executive and administrative branch agencies, taxpayers, state legislators, and federal authorities. She also served as counsel to the Director of Revenue.

During law school, she served as a law clerk for two federal agencies: the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Counsel to the Inspector General in Washington, D.C.; and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Law Program in Atlanta, Georgia. She also served as a summer law clerk in 2017 for the Honorable George J. Limbert, Magistrate, United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio. Prior to law school, Elizabeth worked for three years at Cerner Corporation in Kansas City. Serving as a lead consultant for this healthcare technology company, she worked closely with hospital teams of administrators, doctors, and staff to design and implement electronic medical record systems in healthcare systems throughout the country.

Bar Admissions

Iowa, 2020

Memberships

American Bar Association

Iowa State Bar Association

Polk County Bar Association

Women in Public Finance, Iowa Chapter

National Association of Bond Lawyers

Recognitions

CALI Excellence Award – Alternative Dispute Resolution (highest scoring student in this law class)

Wurzburger Health Law Scholar

Award recipient, American University Washington College of Law, National Health Law Writing Competition for law school journal Note (2017-2018)

Speaking/Presentations

Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute 2024, “Financing Options and Economic Development,” with Maria Brownell, Jason Comisky and Nathan Overberg, October 2024

Iowa Concrete Paving Association, 2022 Municipal Streets Seminar, "Financing Street Improvements," with Maria Brownell, November 2022

Published Articles & Books

Health Matrix: Journal of Law-Medicine, Publications Editor, August 2018 - May 2019

  • Note “Solving the Uncertainty: Why the HIPAA Privacy Rule Fails to Appropriately Address Disclosures of Psychotherapy Notes of Deceased Patients,” Volume 29          

Professional, Community and Civic Leadership

Greater Des Moines Toastmasters Club, President, July 2022-2023

Plymouth Congregational Church, Building and Grounds Committee, May 2021 - present

Des Moines Area Religious Council, Young Professionals Committee, March 2021 - present

  
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