profile headshot of Brian P. Rickert

Specialties

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.    

My Approach

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 am proud to say that, for a number of years, my clients, peers and Super Lawyers® have selected me as one of the “Top Ten Lawyers” in all of Iowa regardless of practice area.  My peers have also selected me as a leader in Iowa in the Chambers USA® listing for commercial litigation, in Best Lawyers®  for construction law, litigation - construction and litigation - municipal, in Super Lawyers® for construction litigation, as a Senior Fellow in the prestigious Litigation Counsel of America, and named as Best Lawyers' “Lawyer of the Year” 2016 in Construction Law.  I am AV-rated in Martindale Hubbell - the highest possible rating.

A common comment that I hear from my new clients is “We wish we would have hired you sooner.”

More About Me

In 1998, I received my J.D., with honors, from Drake University where I served on the Drake Law Review.  In 1995, I received my Finance Degree from the University of Iowa.  I am licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota and Missouri, as well as the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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 a frequent speaker to professionals, trade associations, and attorneys on topics relating to construction law and litigation. 

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.

My Specialties

  • Litigation and Arbitration
  • Construction
  • Real Estate and Development
  • Employment
  • Business and Corporate
  • Governmental and Regulatory
  • Agribusiness
  • Insurance
  • Energy and Renewable Fuels
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Eight BrownWinick Attorneys and Four Practice Areas Recognized in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

07-19-2024 BrownWinick is proud to announce the recognition of several of its attorneys in the prestigious Chambers USA 2024 guide (will Link to PDF in HubSpot). Chambers USA is an esteemed legal directory that evaluates and ranks attorneys and law firms based on their legal expertise, professional achievements, and client feedback. The rankings and...
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33 BrownWinick Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers® in America 2025 List

07-9-2024 BrownWinick is pleased to announce that 33 of our lawyers have been included in the 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. BrownWinick would like to congratulate the following attorneys named to the 2025 The Best...
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2024 Great Plains Super Lawyers and Great Plains Rising Stars Feature BrownWinick Attorneys

05-23-2024 BrownWinick is excited to announce the following attorneys were selected for inclusion in the Great Plains Super Lawyers directory for 2024. The Great Plains Super Lawyers and Rising Stars listings include the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.  Eight BrownWinick attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2024 Great Plains...
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BrownWinick Attorneys Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® List

08-17-2023 BrownWinick is pleased to announce that 33 lawyers have been included in the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. BrownWinick would like to congratulate the following attorneys named to the 2024 The Best Lawyers...
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Chambers USA 2023 Guide Recognizes Eight BrownWinick Attorneys and Four Practice Areas

06-1-2023 BrownWinick is proud to announce the recognition of several of its attorneys in the prestigious Chambers USA 2023 guide. Chambers USA is an esteemed legal directory that evaluates and ranks attorneys and law firms based on their legal expertise, professional achievements, and client feedback. The rankings and accolades received in Corporate/M&A,...
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2023 Great Plains Super Lawyers and Great Plains Rising Stars Feature BrownWinick Attorneys

06-1-2023 BrownWinick is excited to announce the following attorneys were selected for inclusion in the Great Plains Super Lawyers directory for 2023. The Great Plains Super Lawyers and Rising Stars listings include the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.  Nine BrownWinick attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2023 Great Plains...
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Attorney Brian Rickert Named to 2022 Super Lawyers' "Top 10 List" of Iowa Lawyers

08-2-2022 BrownWinick is thrilled to congratulate attorney Brian Rickert for being named to Super Lawyers Top 10: 2022 Iowa Super Lawyers List for Iowa. The “Top 10 List” is a listing of the lawyers in Iowa who received the highest point totals regardless of practice specialty and is based solely on peer recognition and professional achievement. Only the...
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BrownWinick Law Firm Attorneys Featured in 2021 Great Plains Super Lawyers and Great Plains Rising Stars

08-20-2021 BrownWinick is excited to announce the following attorneys were selected for inclusion in the Great Plains Super Lawyers directory for 2021. Seven BrownWinick attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2021 Great Plains Super Lawyers online listing: William Brown - Tax Michael Dee – Business Litigation Thomas Johnson – Business/Corporate James...
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Attorney Brian Rickert Named to Super Lawyers’ “Top 10 List” of Iowa Lawyers

08-12-2021 BrownWinick is thrilled to congratulate attorney Brian Rickert for being named to Super Lawyers Top 10: 2021 Iowa Super Lawyers List for Iowa. The “Top 10 List” is a listing of the lawyers in Iowa who received the highest point totals regardless of practice specialty and is based solely on peer recognition and professional achievement. Only the...
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Chambers USA 2021 Recognizes BrownWinick Attorneys and Practices

05-25-2021 BrownWinick, a preeminent business law firm with offices in Des Moines and Pella, has once again been ranked among leading law firms in the exclusive Chambers USA 2021 Guide. The Chambers USA 2021 Guide is compiled through a research-based review that evaluates the multiple practice areas of hundreds of law firms through investigative research and...
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Assistant

Brooke Johnson

515-242-2489

Undergraduate

University of Iowa

B.B.A., Finance, 1995

Legal

Drake University Law School

J.D., with honors, 1998

Admitted

Missouri, 1998;

Iowa, 1999;

Kansas, 1999;

Minnesota, 2018

 

Memberships & Associations

  • Polk County Bar Association
    Member
  • Iowa State Bar Association
    Member; Sections on : Construction Law; Litigation
    Chair, Construction Law Section Council (2019-2020)(2020-2021)
  • American Bar Association
    Member; Sections on: Forum on Construction Law; Litigation
  • American Subcontractors Association of Iowa
    Member
  • Complex Commercial Litigation Institute (CCL)
    Member
  • The Missouri Bar
    Member
  • Master Builders of Iowa
    Member
  • Litigation Counsel of America
    Senior Fellow
  • Diversity Law Institute
    Member
  • The Trial Law Institute
    Member
  • Complex Commercial Litigation Institute
    Member
  • Taxpayers Association of Central Iowa
    Board of Directors; Chair (2020-2022)
  • West Des Moines Water Works
    Board of Trustees (2008-2020), Chair (2018-2020)
  • Leadership Iowa
    Alumni Member
  • Des Moines Business Record
    Forty Under 40 Class of 2005
  • Drake Law Review, 1996-1998