75 Years in Iowa: How BrownWinick Built the State's Largest Law Firm and a Deeper Commitment to Des Moines and Beyond
This year, BrownWinick marks its 75th anniversary. For a law firm that has spent three-quarters of a century advising Iowa's business owners, the milestone is a chance to take stock not just of how far we've come, but of the role we've been able to play in the growth of Des Moines and the state's broader economy.
The story starts in 1951, when BrownWinick opened as a small Des Moines practice. Today we're the largest Iowa-based law firm, serving clients across every industry and in all 50 states. That growth came from a consistent approach: treat every client relationship as a long-term partnership. It's why more than half of our attorneys have spent nearly their entire careers here, and why many of the businesses we represent have been with us for 25, 50, or more years.
We're built to be a firm that supports a company through formation, expansion, transition, and every pivotal moment in between. And that was the idea behind our anniversary theme: Pivotal Moments. Practical Partners. 75 Years Strong.
Helping Build Iowa's Innovation Economy
One partnership captures how we work to support business growth in our state. Around 2012, Iowa's startup economy was still in the early stages. Access to venture capital was limited, and no legal foundation had been built for a scalable innovation fund. When entrepreneur Craig Ibsen came to us with a plan to launch Iowa's first Certified Innovation Fund, his challenge was working within a framework that didn’t exist yet.
Our attorneys worked alongside him to help shape the legislative and regulatory changes needed to make his vision possible. When it came time to raise and close the fund, we agreed to share in the risk. That work paid off. Next Level Ventures became Iowa's first Certified Innovation Fund and has since grown into multiple investment platforms that have backed more than 50 startups and emerging companies. More than a decade later, we're still proud to call ourselves their partner.
"BrownWinick took a real risk with us in those early days," Ibsen said, "and that shared commitment set the tone for everything since."
Putting Iowa on the map as a credible player in the national innovation economy is exactly the kind of impact we're proud to have contributed to.
A Firm Invested in the Community It Serves
Our commitment to Iowa doesn't stop at the office door, and it’s one of the accomplishments we're proudest of in our 75-year history. Collectively, BrownWinick attorneys serve on more than 400 boards, committees and community organizations across the state. Sixteen of our attorneys have held public-service leadership appointments. Each year, the firm invests more than $250,000 in the nonprofits and organizations working to strengthen our communities. These efforts have supported economic development efforts and programs that foster the next generation of Iowa businesses.
The giving of both time and financial capital reflects a simple belief of BrownWinick: that our law firm's success in part comes from the community around us. Des Moines has given BrownWinick 75 years of opportunity, and it is our honor to return that investment in kind.
Looking Ahead
Milestones like this are as much about the future as the past. In 2026, Cindy Lande became the first woman to serve as Managing Partner in the firm's history. It’s a significant moment and just the first sign of where BrownWinick is headed next. As the businesses we serve continue to evolve, our responsibility is to keep showing up with the experience and practical guidance they count on.
We celebrated 75 years formally on July 9, but the real celebration is the work ahead. To explore more of the stories and milestones behind BrownWinick's first 75 years and where we're going next, visit brownwinick.com/75.
Thank you for being part of BrownWinick’s pivotal moments, Des Moines. We can’t wait for many more to come.
Keep up with the momentum that's happening in and around Greater Des Moines (DSM) when you subscribe to one or all of the Greater Des Moines Partnership's newsletters — they're packed with the latest news, highlighting everything from upcoming events to development projects to policy updates. Join the mailing list to connect with The Partnership and help amplify stories from around the region.