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James T. Peters is a lifelong resident of the State of Iowa. He is a graduate of Washington High School in Vinton, Iowa. James attended Luther College In Decorah, Iowa, where he met his future wife, Sally. In his senior year in college, he attended American University In Washington, DC, and worked In the office of Iowa Congressman Jim Leach. After graduating from the University of Iowa Law School with distinction, he married Sally and worked in Marshalltown, Iowa, with the Cartwright, Druker a Ryden firm.
In 1985, he and Sally moved to Independence, Iowa, where they continue to live and have raised two children. In his free time, he enjoys biking and playing and performing with various Jazz groups in the area.
James has devoted his legal practice to advising and representing individuals and their families when facing some of their most important decisions such as the sale and purchase of real estate, estate planning, dealing with government agencies, i.e. the IRS and DNR, bankruptcy, divorce, work-related injuries, social security and elder law matters.
Areas Of Practice
- Family Law (Divorce, Adoption, Custody, Child support)
- Bankruptcy Creditor Issue
- Estate Planning Probate
- Real Estate, Closing, Title Work
- General Practice
- Mediation & Collaborative Law
- Custody & Visitation
- Bankruptcy
- Criminal Law
Bar Admissions
- Iowa, 1983
- Illinois, 1983
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 1983
- U.S. Tax Court, 2001
Education
- University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City, Iowa
- J.D.
- Honors: With Distinction
- Luther College, Decorah, Iowa
- B.A.
- Honors: cum laude
- Major: Political Science
Representative Cases
- Chemical Methods Ltd. v. Cue, 70S N.W.2d, 2005, Iowa Court of Appeals
- In re Marriage of Knickerbocker, 601 N.W.2d 48, 1999, Iowa Supreme Court
- Carson v. Horkhelmer, 1999 W.L. 823742, 1999, Iowa Court of Appeals
- United States of America v. Passlck, 95-06119, 1995, Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Iowa
- United States Trustee v. Alber, 06-09077, 2007, Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Iowa
- Dudley v. Cornwell, 10-09057, 2010, Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Iowa
Representative Clients
- City of Manchester, Iowa
- USDA Rural Housing Service
- Farm Service Agency
- Individual and Family Clients remain Confidential
- City of Quasqueton
- City of Winthrop
References
- BankIowa
- J&M Partnership
- Office Town
Classes/Seminars
- Retirement Planning for Deere & Co. Retirees, UAW, 1993 to 1998
Professional Associations and Memberships
- ISBA Family Section
- ISBA Grievance Commission, Member, 1998 to 2004
Past Employment Positions
- Cartwright, Druker & Ryden, Associate, 1984 to 1985
- Ristvedt & Peters, P.C, Partner, 1987 to 1995
Pro Bono Activities
- Music in Our Schools Foundation, 2008 to 2012
- Attorney for various non-profit corporations serving the community, 1985 to 2012
Ancillary Businesses
- Family Law Mediator
- Tax Preparation Services