Kristine R. Stone - Brochure
 

Education

J.D. (with Honors), Drake University, 2006

B.A. (with Distinction), Iowa State University, 2002

  

Practice Groups

  • Board Governance
  • Construction Law
  • Litigation
  • Procurement/Contracting

Overview

With a background in municipal law, Kristine joined Ahlers & Cooney in 2017 in the Government Law Practice Area. Her practice focuses on representing cities, counties, utilities, and other public entities in the exercise of their powers and in litigation. She serves as the firm's chair of the Procurement/Contracting Practice Group. Kristine has achieved the prestigious recognition as a Local Government Fellow, Class of 2021, by the International Municipal Lawyers Association.

In her general municipal practice, she counsels clients in all aspects of their operations, such as policy development, risk avoidance, public bidding, public records, open meetings, annexation, eminent domain, and more. She also reviews and prepares contracts, ordinances, agreements and resolutions. Her experience in litigation includes trying cases before administrative agencies, at the district court level, and before Iowa's appellate courts.

Prior to joining the Ahlers firm, Kristine served as the City Attorney for the City of Bettendorf, Iowa, and as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Ames, Iowa. As an in-house municipal lawyer, she advised elected officials, department heads and staff on legal matters, and represented the cities in administrative, district court and appellate actions.

Bar Admissions

Iowa, 2006

Court Admissions

All Iowa Courts

U.S. District Court – Southern District of Iowa

Representative Projects

  • Currently serving as City Attorney for three central Iowa communities
  • Currently serving as general counsel to the Des Moines Airport Authority
  • Engaged as special counsel to manage and litigate eminent domain actions and nuisance property actions for a large metro community
  • Assists various communities with special assessment projects and procedures
  • Reviews and negotiates construction and engineering contracts

Memberships

Iowa State Bar Association

Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association

International Municipal Lawyers Association

Recognitions

International Municipal Lawyers Association, IMLA Local Government Fellow, Class of 2021

Ferguson Prize, Silver Award, Drake Law School, 2006

Public Service Scholarship recipient, Drake Law School

Speaking/Presentations

Kristine's most recent speaking engagements include:

Ahlers & Cooney, Client Webinar - Municipal Law 101 for Cities:  Building Blocks for Local Leaders, with Maria Brownell, January 2024

Legislative Services Agency, Fall Legal Seminar Series, "An Overview of Municipal Law," with Emily Duffy, November 2023

Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, Municipal Utility Law 101 Workshop, "General Municipal Law," with Logan Brundage, October 2023

Iowa State Bar Association, Construction Law Section, Annual Seminar, "Iowa Code Chapter 26A, Construction Manager At Risk Projects," with Conner Wasson, May 2023

Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, Municipal Utility Law 101 Workshop, "Municipal Law," with Logan Brundage, November 2022

Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association, Annual Seminar, "Managing Public Improvements," with Bradley Beaman, November 2022

Lincoln Inne, Des Moines, "Iowa Public Improvement Project Contracting," October 2022

Iowa League of Cities, Nuisance Abatement Conference, "How to Take Action on Abandoned Properties," with Maria Brownell, May 2022

Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, Municipal Utility Law 101 Workshop, "Municipal Utility Law 101," October 2021

Iowa State Bar Association, Government Practice Seminar, Panel Participant - "Hot Topics in Open Records," May 2021

Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association, Webinar, "Right of Way Management: Legal Considerations and Best Practices," with Maria Brownell, May 2021

Iowa City/County Management Association, Iowa Municipal Management Institute, "Property Acquisition 101: What to do When Negotiations Fall Apart," with Maria Brownell and Jenna Bishop, March 2021

Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute 2021, “Administrative Law and Procedures,” with Aaron Hilligas, February 2021

Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association, Annual Seminar, “Public Improvement Best Practices,” with Maria Brownell, November 2020

Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association, Annual Conference, “Case Law Review,” with Maria Brownell, November 2019

Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association, Webinar, "Providing Water Service to a Contested Area," with Maria Brownell, August 2019

Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute 2019, “Administrative Law,” with Aaron Hilligas, July 2019

Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, Muni Law 101 Workshop, "General Municipal Law," January 2019

American Public Works Association- Iowa Chapter, Spring Conference, "Iowa Civil Service," with Maria Brownell and Jim Wainwright, April 2018

Published Articles & Books

Iowa League of Cities, Cityscape magazine, "Cemetery Law 101," co-authored with Logan Brundage, September 2022

Professional, Community and Civic Leadership

Clive Community Services, Board member, 2021 - present

ISBA Government Practice Section Council, 2019 - present

Rotary Club of Des Moines AM, 2018-2019

Bettendorf Rotary Club, 2013-2017

  
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