Maria E. Brownell
Email:
Tel/Direct:
515-246-0322
Tel/Main:
515-243-7611
Address:
100 Court Avenue, Suite 600
Des Moines, IA 50309
Practice Groups
Court Admissions
All Iowa Courts
U.S. District Courts – Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa
Education
J.D. (Highest Honors), Drake University, 2009
B.S. (Cum Laude), Creighton University, (3-3 pre-law program), 2007
Bar Admissions
Iowa, 2009
Background
Maria is a member of the firm’s Litigation and Public Finance Practice Groups, and works with public entities including cities, city utilities, counties, special districts and other local governments. She represents clients in both the litigation and appeals process. Her representation of municipal entities includes litigation in federal and state courts, as well as practice before administrative agencies in regard to such matters as public improvement contract litigation, open meetings, public records requests, and the exercise of home rule powers. Maria currently serves as chair of the firm's Diversity Committee.
Prior to joining Ahlers & Cooney, Maria was an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Iowa, Department of Inspections and Appeals. She conducted hearings and issued proposed decisions in contested case proceedings involving various state and local agencies, including the Department of Human Services, Department of Transportation, Iowa Workforce Development, and Department of Inspections and Appeals. She successfully completed certification at the National Judicial College for Administrative Law: Fair Hearings. Prior to this, she practiced law at a Des Moines law firm in the areas of municipal law, family law, business law, and litigation.
Upon graduation from law school, Maria served as a judicial law clerk to The Honorable Mark S. Cady, Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court for three years. During law school, she served as an extern to The Honorable Lee M. Jackwig, Chief Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Iowa and as a Summer Associate with the Ahlers & Cooney law firm. At Drake Law School, she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law. As the child of a native-born Puerto Rican, Maria speaks both English and Spanish.
Memberships
Iowa State Bar Association
Young Lawyers Division, Mock Trial Committee
Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee
Polk County Bar Association
Polk County Women Attorneys
Recognitions
Super Lawyers Great Plains, Rising Star - State/Local/Municipal Law (2018)
Order of the Coif
Academic Achievement Award for International Intellectual Property Law, Drake Law School
Speaking/Presentations
Maria's most recent speaking engagements include:
Iowa State University, 2019 Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute, “Financing Options and Economic Development,” with Jenna Bishop, Jason Comisky, and Kristin Cooper, July 2019
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, Muni Law 101 Workshop, "Bid-letting," January 2019
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, Annual Water & Wastewater Operator's Workshop, "Legal Considerations," November 2018
American Public Works Association- Iowa Chapter, Spring Conference, "Iowa Civil Service" with Kristine Stone and Jim Wainwright, April 2018
Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association, Annual Seminar, "Case Law Update," November 2017
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, "Issues For Utility Clerks and Managers," October 2017
Iowa's Municipal Professionals Institute, "Iowa Special Assessment Law," July 2016, 2017
Published Articles & Books
Note, Coffee Trademark Licensing for Farmers: Brewing a Farmer-Owned Brand, 14 Drake J. Agric. L. 291 (2009)
Professional, Community and Civic Leadership
Polk County Magistrate and District Associate Judge Nominating Commission (2015-2020)
Polk County Women Attorneys, Secretary (2014-2015), Treasurer (2016), President-Elect (2017)
Young Women’s Resource Center, Basket Auction Committee Co-Chair (2012)
Polk County Bar Association, Volunteer Lawyer Project, Board of Directors, President (2016 - present), Secretary (2014-2016)
Food Bank of Iowa, Board of Directors (2016-2017)
Luther Care Services, Board of Directors (2014-2016)
Valley High School, Mock Trial Coach (2008-2013), Judge (2013-2015)
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fine Arts Committee (2011 - present), Children’s Ministry (2011 - present)
Iowans for Fair and Impartial Courts
P.E.O., Des Moines Chapter KT