Brian Rickert

Practice Areas

Administrative Law;

Agribusiness;

Appellate;

Arbitration;

Business & Corporate Law;

Business Succession Planning;

Business Transactions;

Cities, Counties & Governmental Agencies;

Commercial Disputes;

Construction;

Construction Projects & Contracts;

Cooperatives;

Dairy;

Eminent Domain;

Employment & Labor;

Employment Litigation;

Energy & Natural Resource;

Environmental;

Environmental Matters;

Feedlots;

Financial Services;

Food & Agribusiness;

Government & Regulatory;

Governmental Entities;

Hospitality & Restaurants;

HR Compliance & Training;

HR Evaluation;

Insurance;

Intellectual Property;

Labor Practices;

Land Use, Planning & Zoning;

Leasing & Property Management;

Litigation;

Mergers & Acquisitions;

Poultry;

Preventative Employee Relations;

Product Liability;

Property Tax Management, Appeals & Disputes;

Public Sector Finance & Transactions;

Real Estate & Construction Disputes;

Real Estate Acquisitions & Dispositions;

Real Estate Development;

Real Estate Finance;

Real Estate, Construction & Environmental;

Renewable Fuels;

Securities & Financial;

Swine;

Trademarks & Copyright;

Trust & Estate Litigation;

Utilities;

Workers Compensation; and

Workplace Health & Safe

Career

I am a member at BrownWinick and am Chair of the firm's Construction practice group. Most of my time is spent working in two main areas. First, I litigate matters for public and private businesses and individuals in a variety of fields and industries. My work includes handling complex business disputes, contract disputes, construction and design disputes, various business torts including fraud and interference with contracts, conflicts between business competitors, claims between majority and minority shareholders, relations and disputes with governmental agencies, and employment disputes involving wrongful termination, discrimination, and claims arising from non-compete, non-solicitation and other agreements. Second, I serve as outside general counsel advising on corporate, contract, employment, regulatory matters, business planning and succession, and others. In my over twenty years of practice, I have seen things from about every angle.

I spend a significant amount of my time representing owners (public and private), architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, insurers and sureties in all facets of their business, including bidding and document preparation, contract negotiation and drafting, work and performance issues, financing and warranty issues, regulatory and legislative guidance and advice, bonds, liens and public claims, litigation and arbitration of claims, and claim avoidance. I have also provided testimony or background information to legislative committees and legislators on construction and litigation related legislation.

I routinely handle matters where the amount at issue involves seven, eight, and nine figures. My practice is not limited to Iowa, is national, and goes where my clients need me. I try to understand your business, your problems, your needs and goals, and then help get you where you want to be. I can be creative using my extensive experience, but always focus on service to you and reaching your goals. I strive for excellence in everything I do.

I try to understand your business, your problems, your needs and goals, and then help get you where you want to be. I can be creative using my extensive experience, but always focus on service to you and reaching your goals. I strive for excellence in everything I do.

Professional Memberships

I am a member of the Polk County, Iowa State and American Bar Associations; the American Bar Association's Forum on Construction Law and Construction Litigation Committee; Master Builders of Iowa; and the Associated General Contractors of Iowa. I serve on the Federal Practice Committee of the Iowa State Bar Association and am a former chair and founding member of the Construction Law Section of the Iowa State Bar Association. I am also a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and a member of the Litigation Counsel of America, the Diversity Law Institute and the Trial Law Institute.

Personal

I am proud to give back to my community in many ways. I am the former Chair of the West Des Moines Water Works Board of Trustees, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Taxpayers Association of Central Iowa, and serve on the board at my church. I have helped coach various sports teams, and volunteer in other ways.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Missouri, 1998;

Iowa, 1999;

Kansas, 1999;

Minnesota, 2018

Experience

Brian spends a significant amount of my time representing owners (public and private), architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, insurers and sureties in all facets of their business, including bidding and document preparation, contract negotiation and drafting, work and performance issues, financing and warranty issues, regulatory and legislative guidance and advice, bonds, liens and public claims, litigation and arbitration of claims, and claim avoidance. He has also provided testimony or background information to legislative committees and legislators on construction and litigation related legislation.

Education

Awards