Jennifer A. Clendenin

Jennifer A. Clendenin is an Iowa attorney and a member of Workers’ Compensation Practice Group at Ahlers & Cooney, P.C., concentrating on workers’ compensation and employment law for employers. She represents self-insured employers, insured employers, carriers, and third-party administrators in contested and non-litigated matters. She advises clients on claim strategy, benefit administration, medical care issues, and workplace injury liability. Her practice also addresses related employment concerns that can arise during workers’ compensation matters, helping employers manage overlapping legal obligations effectively under Iowa law.

Jennifer earned her J.D., with high honors, from Drake University in 1997. She received her B.A., cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame in 1994. She was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1997 and practices before all Iowa courts. She is also admitted to the US District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa, supporting her work in federal employment and workers’ compensation disputes.

Jennifer counsels employers on return-to-work issues, terminations, ADA, FMLA, COBRA, OSHA, and HIPAA concerns connected with workplace injury claims. She also handles bad-faith claims, unemployment matters, wrongful discharge allegations, subrogation, and Medicare or Medicaid issues. Her preventive work includes developing workers’ compensation policies, training supervisors, and investigating complaints. She also advises on medical care authorization, alternate care options, claim acceptance or denial, and benefit administration before disputes escalate into litigation.

Jennifer A. Clendenin has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Workers’ Compensation Law–Employers from 2015 through 2026 and Employment Law–Management from 2025 through 2026. She has successfully defended employers across Iowa in contested workers’ compensation and retaliatory discharge matters, including cases upheld on appeal. Her experience combines litigation defense, preventive counseling, and workplace training, helping employers address claims strategically while controlling risk and maintaining compliance with employment obligations.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Polk County Bar Association

Licensed State

• Iowa

Education

• Drake University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Notre Dame
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)