Anna E. Mallen

Anna Mallen is a member attorney at Whitfield & Eddy Law and has served her clients in a variety of litigation matters, including labor and employment litigation and general commercial litigation. Her commercial litigation background includes transportation law, construction law, and contract disputes. She has handled many cases through to resolution, including jury trials, bench trials, and appeals.

client relationships are key

Legal matters create an additional burden on business operations and everyday life. Regardless of the type of matter, Anna is passionate about making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for each of her clients, and finds it incredibly rewarding to achieve favorable results that align with her client’s values.

Clients see that Anna has a thoughtful and intentional approach to her law practice. She begins engagements by learning about her client’s background, values, and goals. Anna strongly believes that you can achieve a mutually favorable result by first building a relationship and understanding.

In her experience, Anna has found that effective communication often leads to better and faster results for clients. Ultimately, she knows effective communication removes barriers and solves problems including with the opposing side.

She has assembled a trusted team of professionals, including other experienced attorneys, knowledgeable paralegals, and legal assistants to ensure clients receive the attention they deserve and ultimate resolution.

central iowa homeowners' association representation 

Anna provides comprehensive legal support to Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) across central Iowa. Her practice includes assisting boards with the collection of assessments, interpreting and enforcing governing documents, drafting and amending Restrictive Covenants, and preparing and filing liens. She also advises HOA boards on resolving conflicts and navigating a wide range of community governance issues, including litigation matters when they arise. Anna prioritizes prompt communication and clear, practical guidance to help associations manage their operations efficiently and effectively.

recent client results

• 2025, AAA Arbitration – Full defense verdict for construction client in $60,000,000 dispute.

• 2024, Iowa Bench Trial – Defense verdict on breach of employment contract claims for Employer Client.

• 2024, Administrative Appeal – Successful in overturning Employment Appeal Board Decision for Employer Client.

• 2024, Dispositive Motion – Filed Motion for Summary Judgment in employment discrimination case that resulted in full dismissal of Plaintiffs claims without payment of money.
• 2023, Iowa Jury Trial – Defense Verdict for Transportation Client.
• 2023, Iowa Jury Trial – Defended Transportation Client in Undisputed Liability Case. $1.2 million jury request from Plaintiff; $77,000 judgment.
• 2023, Dispositive Motion – Filed Pre-Answer Motion to Dismiss eleven-count federal employment claim that resulted in nominal settlement amount.
• 2022, Iowa Jury Trial – Defense verdict for homeowners sued by construction company; maximum statutory damages recovered on clients’ counterclaim for consumer fraud.
• 2022, AAA Arbitration – Received full claim amount for construction client and dismissal of all counterclaims against client.
• 2021, Injunction Hearing – Received temporary injunction against majority shareholder in business dispute.
• 2021, Iowa Specialty Business Court Bench Trial – Defense verdict for client in business dispute; full win on client’s counterclaims.
• 2020, Iowa Bench Trial – Full win on claims and defense verdict on counterclaims in complex construction dispute.

contact attorney anna mallen

Contact Anna today or call 515-288-6041 for more information. 

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: 2025—2027)
• Selected for inclusion in the Great Plains Super Lawyers in the area of Employment Litigation: Defense (Rising Stars: 2023—2026)
• Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project: recognized for 50 or more pro bono work hours (2019—2020, 2021—2022)
• Iowa Legal Aid: recognized for pro bono work hours in 2022—2023.

Published Cases and Thought Leadership

published cases

• Graphite Constr. Group., Inc. v. Des Moines Area Cmty. College, 2024 WL 466118 (Iowa Ct. App. 2024)

presentations and publications

• Presenter, "Mechanics' Lien Law," NACM Heartland Unit, Inc., September 2026
• Co-presenter, “Navigating Iowa Code Chapters 572 and 573: Mechanics’ Liens and Public Improvement Claims," Iowa State Bar Association Construction Law Seminar May, 2026
• Co-presenter, "Mechanic's Liens in the Morning," Iowa Well Water Association 97th Annual Convention and Trade Show, January 2026
• Presenter, "Employer Drug and Alcohol Testing: A Review of Iowa Code § 730.5," Client Training, January 2026
• Co-presenter, "State and Federal Legislative Update," Iowa State Bar Association Labor and Employment Seminar, November 2025
• Co-presenter, "New DEI-Related Legislation," Iowa State Bar Association Labor and Employment Seminar, November 2025
• Co-author, "Transportation Law Update: Iowa Chapter," ALFA International Transportation Law Compendium, 2021—2025 Editions
• Presenter, “Lien Law: The Blueprint to the Build. An overview of Iowa Code Chapter 572 and 573,”  University of Northern Iowa Construction Management program, October 2025
• Co-presenter, "Collecting Bad Debts: Mechanic’s Liens and Little Miller Act Claims," Iowa Well Water Association 96th Annual Convention and Trade Show, January 2025
• Co-presenter, "Construction Industry Legal Issues," Construction Financial Management Association Iowa Chapter, October 2024
• Panelist, "Lex Machina: How AI is Becoming a Law Machine," ALFA International Future Leaders Practice Group Seminar, October 2024 
• Co-presenter, "Difficult Conversations - Practical Guidance for Managers," Client Presentation, January 2024
• Co-presenter, "Construction Law HR Issues," Master Builders of Iowa Cornerstone Academy, November 2023
• "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, 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
• Panelist, "How to Succeed an Associate Attorney" Iowa Defense Counsel Association Annual Meeting, September 2020
• Presenter, People's Law School: Employment Law Basics, Iowa State Bar Association, February 2020
• Co-author, "Board of Directors Obligations to Protect Credit Union Whistleblowers," Credit Union Journal, July 2018