Bridget R. Penick

Bridget R. Penick is a shareholder at Fredrikson & Byron P.A. in Des Moines, where she is recognized as a leading litigator in employment law. She regularly represents employers in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies, handling matters involving restrictive covenants, discrimination claims, wage and hour disputes, and labor relations issues.

Bridget earned her Juris Doctor with high distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1998, where she served as Managing Editor of the Iowa Law Review. Bridget completed her undergraduate studies at Central College, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in 1995. This strong academic background provided the foundation for her career in complex employment and labor law.

Bridget advises employers on human resources policies and compliance with federal and state laws, including FMLA, ADA, and NLRA matters. She also counsels on union avoidance strategies and assists with employment-related immigration concerns. Her litigation work includes class action defense, restrictive covenant enforcement, and defending against discrimination and retaliation claims.

Widely recognized for her leadership in employment and labor law, Bridget has been consistently ranked by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, and Great Plains Super Lawyers. A Fellow of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, she has argued high‑impact employment and labor cases before the Eighth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. Employers turn to Bridget for her deep legal expertise and strong track record of achieving successful outcomes.

Beyond her practice, she has served in leadership roles with the Iowa State Bar Association, Polk County Bar Association, and American Bar Association, while also contributing her time to Iowa Legal Aid and community organizations. Bridget’s dedication to both her profession and community underscores her reputation as a trusted advocate and accomplished employment law attorney.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder & Lead Attorney, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
• Former Attorney, Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen, P.C.
• Former Attorney, Jenner & Block
• Past President, Polk County Bar Association
• Member, Polk County Women Attorneys
• Member, Iowa State Bar Association
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association
• Member, Nebraska State Bar Association
• Member, ABA Labor & Employment Law Section
• Charter Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America

Licensed State

• Iowa
• Illinois
• Nebraska

Education

• University of Iowa College of Law
  Juris Doctor (J.D.)
• Central College
  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Awards & Badges