ALISON W. SMITH
Alison Werner Smith was born in Grinnell, Iowa in 1974. She received a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Iowa in 1996 and a J.D., with distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1998. She clerked for the Fifth Judicial District of Iowa from 1998 to 2000, and at the Iowa Court of Appeals from 2000 to 2003. Alison became an associate at our firm in 2003 and a partner in 2008. Alison is also a mediator and collaborative professional in family law matters. Alison is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Alison is a former member of the Sixth Judicial District Nominating Commission for judicial appointments. She serves on the Iowa Supreme Court Child Support Review Committee. Alison is a Master of the Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court, and a member of the Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys, the Johnson County and the Iowa State Bar Associations. Alison presently serves on the board of the Friends of the Iowa City Senior Center. Since 2000, she has been an active participant in numerous Iowa State Bar Association committees. She was also appointed by the Iowa Supreme Court to serve two terms on the Iowa Lawyer Trust Account Commission (IOLTA) (2007-2013). In 2007, Alison received the Iowa State Bar Association's Pro Bono Award in recognition of her pro bono services. She is also a member of the Southern District of Iowa Historical Society. Alison is a lifetime member of the National Debate Coaches Association. She is a member of the Johnson County League of Women Voters and the Iowa Women's Foundation. From 2003 to 2015, she served on the North Liberty Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment. Alison is a member of the American Mock Trial Hall of Fame and enjoys volunteering to judge collegiate mock trial competitions and trial and appellate advocacy competitions.
Alison has been admitted to practice before the following courts:
State of Iowa Bar (1999)
United States District Court – Southern District of Iowa (1999)
United States District Court – Northern District of Iowa (2003)
United States Court of Appeals – Eighth Circuit (2007)
U.S. Tax Court (2009)
Alison's notable cases include: In re Guardianship and Conservatorship of Haravon, No. 20-0501 (Iowa Ct. App. 2020); State v. Seals, 871 N.W.2d 703, 2015 WL 5278984 (Iowa Ct. App. 2015), State v. Cox, 856 N.W.2d 3, 2014 WL 4230196 (Iowa Ct. App. 2014), In re Detention of Swanson, 847 N.W.2d 237, 2014 WL 1245442 (Iowa Ct. App. 2014), In re Marriage of Negro, 851 N.W.2d 854, 2014 WL 2431529 (Iowa Ct. App. 2014), In re Marriage of Sawvel, 826 N.W.2d 515, 2012 WL 5951405 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012), Quad City Bank and Trust Co. v. JDHP Development, L.L.C., 808 N.W.2d 756, 2011 WL 5867060 (Iowa Ct. App. 2011), In re Marriage of Applegate, 801 N.W.2d 627, 2011 WL 2042049 (Iowa Ct. App. 2011), In re Marriage Of Ranard, 781 N.W.2d 101, 2010 WL 625013(Iowa Ct. App. 2010), In re Marriage of Reed, 772 N.W.2d 15, 2009 WL 4122884 (Iowa Ct. App. 2009), Tuttle v. Keystone Nursing Care Center, Inc., 767 N.W.2d 420, 2009 WL 779538 (Iowa Ct. App. 2009), In re Marriage of Miller, 755 N.W.2d 144, 2008 WL 2513821 (Iowa Ct. App. 2008), Young v. State, 734 N.W.2d 488, 2007 WL 1063034 (Iowa Ct. App. 2007), Brick Haus v. Board of Adjustment, 723 N.W.2d 452,2007 WL 1063034 (Iowa Ct. App. 2006), In re Marriage of Soloski, 715 N.W.2d 768,2006 WL 623583 (Iowa Ct. App. 2006), In re Marriage of Ellis, 705 N.W.2d 96 (Iowa Ct. App. 2005), Jacobs v. City of Iowa City, 682 N.W.2d 81, 2004 WL 433738 (Iowa Ct. App. 2004).