Emily Duffy
Email:
Tel/Direct:
515-246-0332
Tel/Main:
515-243-7611
Address:
100 Court Avenue, Suite 600
Des Moines, IA 50309
Assistant:
Spencer Jones
515-246-4411
sjones@ahlerslaw.com
Practice Groups
Court Admissions
All Iowa Courts
U.S. District Court – Southern District of Iowa
Education
J.D. (Highest Honors), Drake University Law School, 2019
B.A., University of Iowa, 2012
Bar Admissions
Iowa, 2019
Background
Emily is a member of the firm’s Government Law Practice Area, working with cities, counties, and other public entities in addressing all legal aspects of their operations, including litigation. Emily counsels clients regarding policy development, procurement and bidding matters, public records, open meetings, land use and zoning, and general municipal law. She reviews and prepares contracts, ordinances, agreements, and resolutions.
Emily prosecutes various municipal violations and represents cities in nuisance property matters. She also defends public entities in litigated matters at the district court level. She is skilled in research and discovery, as well as communicating with clients on case strategy and court proceedings.
Upon graduation from Drake Law School, Emily worked at the law firm of Timothy M. Duffy, P.C. She served as defense counsel/co-counsel in over 350 cases and worked with over 300 clients in various matters. Prior to law school and with a degree in English, Emily worked at an educational organization in Chicago, as an online high school administrator. During law school, she was passionate about helping others through the Drake Legal Clinic as a Certified Student Attorney.
Representative Projects
- Serves as City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney for two central Iowa communities
- Prosecutes criminal and municipal violations, including nuisance abatement and blighted properties
- Assisted a city with the update of their zoning code to comply with First Amendment guarantees of the State of Iowa and United States Constitution
Memberships
American Bar Association
Iowa State Bar Association
Polk County Bar Association
Recognitions
Drake Law School – CALI award in Trial Advocacy (highest scoring student in this law class)
Speaking/Presentations
Iowa League of Cities, Annual Conference, "Avoiding Legal Landmines in the Use of ChatGPT and Other AI Tools," with Maria Brownell, September 2024
Iowa City/County Management Association, Iowa Municipal Management Institute, "Avoiding Legal Landmines in the Use of ChatGPT and Other AI Tools," with Maria Brownell, March 2024
Legislative Services Agency, Fall Legal Seminar Series, "An Overview of Municipal Law," with Kristine Stone, November 2023
Professional, Community and Civic Leadership
First Tee of Central Iowa, Volunteer, 2024 - present
Iowa Volunteer Lawyer Project - pro bono representation, 2024 - present
Iowa Legal Aid Expungement Clinic - Volunteer Attorney, 2023 & 2025
Middle School Mock Trial Coach, 2023 & 2024
Minnesota Lavender Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2017-2018
St. Thomas School of Law, Out!Law organization, Treasurer, 2017-2018
Street Law, Minneapolis, Volunteer (providing instruction to high school students in underserved communities on various areas of law), 2017-2018
Hennepin County Self-Help Center, Volunteer Student Attorney, 2016-2017