David L. Brown

David L. Brown is a partner with Hansen, McClintock & Riley, PLLC in Des Moines. His practice focuses primarily on professional negligence, commercial tort, and general liability matters, along with administrative and appellate law. He represents clients in complex disputed matters that require detailed factual development, legal analysis, motion practice, trial preparation, and appellate review when questions continue beyond the trial court.

David earned a B.A. from Lawrence University in 1969, an M.A. from Michigan State University in 1972, and a J.D. from Drake University Law School in 1975, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. Before private practice, he served as an Assistant Attorney General and clerked for Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice C. Edwin Moore.

David’s career has included extensive trial, administrative, and appellate work across Iowa. His experience in public service and private litigation gives him perspective on court procedure, agency matters, professional liability claims, and commercial disputes. He has worked on cases that require careful management of evidence, expert issues, legal standards, and appellate arguments, helping clients address significant exposure and complicated procedural questions.

David L. Brown has received professional recognition for advocacy, service, and leadership, including honors from Iowa legal organizations and Drake University Law School. He has also participated in prominent trial-lawyer organizations during his career. His long practice combines courtroom experience with appellate and administrative knowledge, allowing him to approach disputed matters with careful judgment, disciplined preparation, and an understanding of how legal issues can develop across multiple stages of review.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Hansen, McClintock & Riley, PLLC
• Member, Iowa State Bar Association
• President, PCB Junior Bar (1984-1985)
• Medical/Legal Board Certified, American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys
• Board Member, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers (1993-1998)
• Past State Chair, American College of Trial Lawyers
• Current State Chair, International Academy of Trial Lawyers
• President, Iowa Chapter, American Board of Trial Advocates (1999-2000)
• Chair ( ), Iowa Board of Bar Examiners (2002-2004)
• Member, Polk County Bar Association
• Member, Lawyers Grievance Committee (1984-1985)
• Member, Judicial Nomination Commission (1992-1998)
• Member, ABA Standing Committee on the American Judicial System (2016)
• Diplomate, National Board of Trial Advocacy
• Member, DRI
• Member, Iowa State Bar Foundation
• Member, American Bar Foundation
• Master, C. Edwin Moore Inn of Court, American Inns of Court
• Member, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
• Member (Rules of Professional Conduct Commission), Rules of Professional Conduct Commission, Supreme Court of Iowa (2000-2002)
• Member, Iowa Association for Justice
• Member, Iowa Legal Aid Foundation Board
• Delegate, ABA House of Delegates (1997-Present)
• Vice Chair, ABA Standing Committee on Federal Judiciary (2020)
• Board Member, ABA Board of Governors (2017-2020)
• Board Member, Iowa Defense Counsel Association (1993-1998)
• Current State Chair, International Society of Barristers
• National Advisory Council, American Judicature Society (2011-2012)
• Member, Litigation Counsel of America
• Member, International Association of Defense Counsel
• Member, Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel
• Member, Professional Liability Defense Federation
• Member, Lincoln Inne
• Member, Board of Counselors Drake University (1980-1990)

Licensed State

• Iowa

Education

• Drake University Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Michigan State University
  Master of Arts (MA)
• Lawrence University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges