John (“Jack”) Hilmes

John D. “Jack” Hilmes is an attorney at Finley Law in Des Moines, Iowa, whose practice focuses on civil litigation and trial work. Hilmes defends health care professionals, hospitals, businesses, and other clients in medical malpractice, professional liability, product liability, insurance defense, construction, and commercial disputes. For more than 40 years, a substantial portion of his practice has involved defending health care providers, with a current emphasis on complex medical and birth injury claims.

Hilmes earned his J.D. from Drake University in 1979 and his B.A. from the University of Northern Colorado in 1976. He is admitted to practice in Iowa, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. His legal training and decades of courtroom experience support his work on fact-intensive professional liability and civil defense matters.

Over more than 45 years of practice, Hilmes has defended hundreds of civil cases involving automobile liability, wrongful death, aircraft crashes, defamation, premises liability, drug and device claims, employment law, commercial liability, and trustee and fiduciary liability. He has tried more than 100 civil jury cases throughout Iowa. This broad litigation background allows him to address complex claims involving medical issues, professional conduct, products, businesses, and significant liability exposure.

John D. “Jack” Hilmes is an elected member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has been selected several times by his colleagues to serve as Finley Law’s president and managing shareholder. He is also recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers in America for medical malpractice defense, commercial litigation, personal injury defense, and bet-the-company litigation. His extensive trial experience and long-standing health care practice support clients facing demanding civil disputes.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Finley Law Firm, P.C.
• Member, American College of Trial Lawyers
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates

Licensed State

• Iowa

Education

• Drake University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Northern Colorado
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges