Sheila K. Tipton

As part of Brown Winick's Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Law Practice Group, I spend all of my time helping clients navigate the exciting and ever-changing world of energy and other utility infrastructure - infrastructure that is essential to the lives of everyone, everywhere.  It is a practice that I have enjoyed for 40 years.  In that time, I have helped my clients develop and finance the facilities necessary to create and safely deliver energy, water and communication services to their customers. I have represented public investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, private developers, commercial and industrial customers, residential customers and cities.  I have represented those clients in certification, siting, ratemaking, rulemaking, merger, reorganization, permitting, licensing, compliance and other litigated proceedings before state and federal administrative agencies and in the state and federal courts.  Whether you need to know what laws and regulations affect your business, how to obtain the necessary approvals to conduct that business, what documentation is required, how to resolve thorny regulatory or contractual issues or resolving disputes that may arise in any of those contexts, I am ready, willing and able - and excited to provide the assistance you need.   

My Approach

My goal with every representation is to help you accomplish your objectives as thoroughly, quickly and efficiently as possible.   I understand very well that for you, time is money and the sooner that you can get your project to commercial operation, or your commercial dispute resolved, the better.   To do that, I make certain that I know as much as possible about your business and goals.   I also work hard to maintain a deep and current knowledge of the relevant industry and the laws and regulations that govern it.  Finally, I work very hard every day to develop and maintain a reputation for knowledge, credibility and trust among regulators, opposing counsel and the judiciary, which works to your advantage as my client.

More About Me

I have a J.D., with honors, from Drake University and a B.S. Degree from Ohio University.  Since being admitted to the Iowa Bar in 1980, I have been a member of the American, Iowa State and Polk County Bar Associations.  Before joining BrownWinick, I practiced law at other Des Moines firms.  From 2013-2015, I was a member of the Iowa Utilities Board, which regulates rates and services of Iowa's utilities. 

My Martindale Hubbell rating is AV (Preeminent) (peers and judiciary ratings).  I have been listed in Best Lawyers® since 1992, in Super Lawyers® since 2008, and in Great Plains Super Lawyers® since 2009.  I was Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year in Administrative/Regulatory Law in 2017 and in Communications Law in 2012. 

My community activity has included service on the Drake University Law School, Des Moines Metro Opera, Youth Homes of MidAmerica, Downtown Community Alliance and Rotary Club boards.   

My Specialties

• Energy Law
• Renewable Energy Law (wind, solar, renewable natural gas)
• Water Law
• Telecommunications Law
• Administrative/Regulatory Law