R. Charles Bottenberg

Background

Charlie focuses his practice in the area of trust administration, estate planning, and probate. He  is involved in the planning and implementation of many taxable and nontaxable corporate transactions for family-owned and closely-held businesses, as well as advising owners on sophisticated estate and succession planning issues. He currently leads the firm's Trusts, Estates & Personal Taxation Practice Group.

Charlie enjoys working in the growing area of elder law, as he works closely with guardians and conservators to ensure their loved ones’ estates and care plans are structured and handled appropriately. He has also developed a passion for succession and estate planning, especially in the agriculture industry by helping farm families to keep their century farms in the family.

Prior to joining Ahlers & Cooney in 2020, Charlie and Jeremy Masterson were founding partners in the law firm, MB Law, based in Waukee, Iowa. Charlie grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and came to Des Moines to attend Drake University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology. Prior to attending law school, Charlie worked in information technology in the financial services industry.

While at Drake Law School, he was a member of the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, gained experience as a student attorney in the Low Income Taxpayer area of the Drake Legal Clinic, and was a law clerk at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.