Anna E. Mallen

Anna Mallen is an associate attorney in the firm’s litigation practice group. She works with clients in labor & employment, construction and business matters including disputes in contracts, transactions, and other contests. She has handled matters to resolution including trial and appeal.

Her labor and employment client engagements include civil rights and wrongful termination, and other contract disputes for management-level employees. Anna’s representation includes investigation, mediation, depositions, negotiations, and trial.

Anna's family law representations include divorce, mediation, child custody, modifications and other disputes including negotiations and trial.

Regular and detailed communication is key in Anna’s client relationships. No two clients or cases are the same and each have their own set of facts, circumstances, and goals. She thoroughly analyzes complex issues to develop a comprehensive strategy for each of her clients, utilizing technology to streamline organization and cost efficiency. She makes it a habit to ensure clients are constantly informed on the status of their matter, including important deadlines and where attention is necessary. Her competitive drive is displayed in all aspects of a case where her goal from the outset is to achieve resolution and the best possible outcome for each of her clients.

Anna has co-authored articles on litigation, construction, and transportation law topics and has presented “Employment Law Basics” for the Iowa State Bar Association People’s Law School in 2019. She also moderated the young attorney panel on legal career growth at the Iowa Defense Counsel Association Seminar in 2020.

Anna received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Wartburg College in 2016. She earned her law degree from Drake University Law School in 2019. She served at the Iowa Supreme Court as an Honors Judicial Extern for Chief Justice Mark Cady in the fall of 2018.

Affiliations

• Iowa State Bar Association
• Polk County Bar Association
• Polk County Women Attorneys
• Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys
• Iowa Defense Counsel Association
• West Des Moines Leadership Academy, Class of 2022

Honors & Recognitions

• Selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction, and Litigation - Labor & Employment (Ones to Watch: 2023)
• Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project: recognized for 50 or more pro bono work hours (2019—2020, 2021—2022)

Thought Leadership

• "Doctored Evidence Leads to Rare Sanctions Against Plaintiff," American Bar Association's Section of Litigation's Litigation News, February 2023
• "Confusion Over NDA Leads to Dismissal of Trade Secret Action," American Bar Association's Section of Litigation's Litigation News, September 2022
• Chapter co-writer with Steve Marso, Construction Checklists, Second Edition: A Guide To Frequently Encountered Construction Issues, by Carrie L. Okizaki, Terrence L. Brookie, Eric A. Berg, and Misty Hubbard Gutierrez, American Bar Association, 2022
• Co-Presenter, "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Legal Requirements," Whitfield & Eddy Virtual Labor & Employment Client Seminar, May 2021
• Co-author with Zachary J. Hermsen and Nick Gral, "Transportation Law Update," Iowa chapter, ALFA International Employment Law Compendium, 2021 Edition
• Panelist, "How to Succeed an Associate Attorney" Iowa Defense Counsel Association Annual Meeting, September 2020
• Presenter with Kay Oskvig and Bryn E. Hedlund, People's Law School: Employment Law Basics, Iowa State Bar Association, February 2020
• Co-author with John Fatino, "Board of Directors Obligations to Protect Credit Union Whistleblowers," Credit Union Journal, July 2018