Biography
David knows the biggest changes start with the smallest steps. He enjoys helping people and isn’t afraid to champion their case to a jury. He’s taken more than a dozen cases to verdict and has argued before the Iowa Court of Appeals, the Iowa Supreme Court, and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. David knows that while every case is different, every case is important. He has handled matters involving less than $10,000 and has also obtained several jury verdicts of more than a million dollars.
David was raised in Indianola, Iowa, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Simpson College. Law school could wait. He completed two terms in AmeriCorps, where he served numerous non-profits across the Midwest, learned to fight wildfires, and became a federally certified chainsaw operator (he likes to “branch” out). David returned to Iowa to attend Drake University Law School and was admitted to practice law in September 2015. When he’s not serving clients, David serves his community as President of the Board of Directors for Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health. At home, he enjoys spending time with his wife Tabetha, daughter Eloise, and son Anderson. He believes life’s obstacles can be opportunities for growth and agrees with 2nd century Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius that “the impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Well said Marcus, well said.

Practice Areas
- Employment Law
- Discrimination
- Civil Rights
Bar Admissions
- Iowa, 2015
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 2015
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 2015
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2015
Education
- Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa
- J.D. - 2015
- Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa
- B.A. - 2010
- Major: History
Professional Associations
- Fellow, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers
- Member, National Employment Lawyers Association
- Member, Iowa Employment Lawyers Association
- Member, Iowa Association for Justice
- Member, Iowa State Bar Association
- Member, Polk County Bar Association
- Barrister, C. Edwin Moore Inn of Court
- Board President, UnityPoint Health – Eyerly Ball
- Member, UnityPoint Health Des Moines Board of Directors
Representative Cases
- Zaglauer v. City of West Des Moines, LACL132694 (Polk Co. 2016) - $1.9 Million Settlement Mid-Trial
- Dix. v. Casey’s General Stores, Inc., CVCV52834 (Polk Co. 2018) - $400,000 Bench Trial Judgment
- Ferguson v. Exide Technologies, Inc., No. LACV008271 (Delaware Co. 2018) – Reinstatement and Back Pay Jury Verdict
- Rumsey v. Woodgrain Millwork Inc., LACL 138889 (Polk County 2019) - $508,000 Jury Verdict
- Selden v. Des Moines Area Community College, LACL147358 (Polk Co. 2021) - $1.4 Million Jury Verdict
- Rumsey v. Woodgrain Millwork Inc., LACL 138889 (Polk County 2022) “Rumsey II” - $35,000 Jury Verdict
- Boss v. City of Dubuque, LACL 111210 (Dubuque Co. 2022) - $575,000 Jury Verdict
- Shaner v. HDR, CL 19-735 (Douglas Co., NE 2022) - $3.4 Million Jury Verdict
- Hunter vs. City of Des Moines, LACL152725 (Polk Co. 2023) - $2.6 Million Jury Verdict
- Scott Rupp vs. Ferrellgas, Inc., (Private Arbitration 2024)
- Black v. Swift Pork Co., 113 F.4th 1028 (8th Cir. 2024) (Overturning award of summary judgment to the defendant in an FMLA case)
- Collins vs. Allen & Property Management Professionals, LLC, CVCV065097 (Polk Co. 2025) $10.12 Million Jury Verdict