R. Charles Bottenberg

Email:
Tel/Direct:
515-246-0335
Tel/Main:
515-243-7611
Address:
100 Court Ave
Suite 600
Des Moines, IA 50309
Assistant:
Mary Davis
515-246-4435
mdavis@ahlerslaw.com
Practice Groups
Court Admissions
All Iowa Courts
U.S. Tax Court
Education
J.D. (High Honors), Drake University Law School, 2012
M.B.A., Iowa State University, 2014
B.S., Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Drake University, 2004
Bar Admissions
Iowa, 2013
Minnesota, 2020
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.
Memberships
American Bar Association
Iowa State Bar Association
Polk County Bar Association
Dallas County Bar Association
Blackstone Inns of Court
Recognitions
Business Record, Forty Under 40 – Class of 2018
Drake Journal of Agricultural Law
Eagle Scout
Speaking/Presentations
Senior College of Greater Des Moines, Lecturer on Estate Planning, 2015, 2016
Professional, Community and Civic Leadership
Waukee City Council (2017 - Present)
Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce
- Board Chair (2016-2017)
- Board Member (2014-2017)
Dallas County Bar Association
- President (2016)
- Treasurer (2015)
Booster Pak, Board Member (2016 - Present)
Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts Mid Iowa Council - Pack 888 Committee Chair, Pack 888 Cub Master, Assistant Scout Master Troop 888, Council fundraising (2016)
St. Boniface Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 4009
- Advocate (2018 - Present)