Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. Welcomes Susan Bernau, previously City Attorney for Cedar Falls
Des Moines, Iowa (September 1, 2011) Susan Bernau, previously the City Attorney for Cedar Falls, has joined the Des Moines-based firm, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. She will be working with companies, educational institutions and municipalities as part of the firm’s Employment & Labor Law practice area.
She began her law career in 1992, shortly after the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990, which created an area of immediate interest and started her on the path to this particular practice area.
“We look forward to working with Susan at Ahlers & Cooney. Susan’s extensive experience in municipal and employment law will prove to be an asset for our clients,” said Partner and Management Committee member Peter Pashler.
Susan started in private practice and was with a Cedar Falls law firm for 9 years, in which the City of Cedar Falls was a client. Susan’s practice focused on employment law, workers’ compensation, family law, general litigation and insurance defense.
Susan then served 10 years as the City Attorney for the City of Cedar Falls, working on its labor negotiations, employment issues, risk management, and other collaborative efforts. While with the city and in private practice, Susan worked on many projects for the University of Northern Iowa and the Cedar Falls schools, as well as coordinated many collaborative projects between the city, the university and the local schools.
“I am excited to work with so many wonderful businesses and organizations alongside my colleagues at Ahlers & Cooney. Working with the City of Cedar Falls on general collaborative efforts with other governmental and private entities was a great experience and I look forward to extending this experience with other businesses and communities in Iowa,” says Bernau.
Susan graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law and was a member in the Order of the Coif. She received her B.A. in Public Administration with highest honors from the University of Northern Iowa. She is an active speaker on employment and labor related topics for various groups throughout Iowa, and believes in giving back to her community by serving on a variety of boards and committees.