Whitfield & Eddy Community Engagement 2025 Year in Review
The attorneys and staff at Whitfield & Eddy Law formed the committee in 2021. The committee serves as a guide to foster a welcoming and safe work environment for all and has achieved many of the original goals established in their charter.
The committee’s 2025 accomplishments include:
- The firm was a sponsor of the fourth annual West Des Moines Chamber Beyond Boundaries Business Summit. The summit will bring entrepreneurs and seasoned companies together to elevate ethnic minorities and BIPOC businesses to build connections, training, and resources to grow and prosper.
- The firm recognized Juneteenth as a holiday with time off and provided educational materials about the history of the holiday and related community events.
- Attorneys and staff participated in the sixth annual Drake Law School Cady Day of Service by participating in a clean-up of the Neal Smith Trail and Birdland Marina area in Des Moines and friendship bracelet making with the Iowa Center for Children’s Justice (ICCJ).
- Attorneys and staff volunteered for the ICCJ day at the Des Moines Downtown Famers Market to meet the community and tell the story of the organization.
- For over fifty years, the firm has provided legal services to Oakridge Neighborhood Services. These services include the initial development, procurement of land, and construction of buildings including their resource center. A vital community resource, Oakridge is the most culturally diverse neighborhood in Des Moines and houses over 1,100 residents in 339 housing units.
- We hosted members of the Drake Law School Black Law Student Association (BLSA) return to school dinner at a private residence with faculty and firm guests. The firm also supported the BLSA Black History Month fundraiser and annual gala.
- We sponsored and attended the National Bar Association meeting; that was in Des Moines in March 2025.
- Tom Henderson serves as co-chair of Iowans Supporting Israel, a non-profit bi-partisan organization encouraging Iowans to support Israel.
- Tom Henderson serves on the Board of Directors of The Salvation Army of Des Moines. The firm supported the Salvation Army through bell ringing in the skywalk and delivering three large boxes of gifts from the attorneys and staff to the Angel Tree toy drive in December 2025.
- Attorneys and the firm supported Iowa Legal Aid and the Polk County Volunteer Lawyers Project through financial support and pro bono legal service.
- The firm also recognized important dates including:
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Black History Month
- Women’s History Month and International Women's Day
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Pride Month
- Celebrate Diversity Month
- Disability Pride Month
- Women's Equality Day
- National Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month
- World Mental Health Day
- Veterans Day
- The firm supported community events and fundraisers including the Animal Rescue League, Hope for Justice / Break the Cycle, Wildwood Hills Ranch, the Young Womens Resource Center, Self Help International, and others.
The attorneys and staff at Whitfield & Eddy Law are committed to maintaining a successful workplace and community. We encourage the recruitment, hiring and advancement of talented, engaged and diverse attorneys and staff to meet the complex needs of our clients and community. The committee continues to evolve and grow with an emphasis on activities within the firm and community to build on the goal to define the firm as an employer of choice in the Des Moines metro.
for more information
Contact Whitfield & Eddy Community Engagement Committee co-chairs Jaki Samuelson or Tom Henderson.
