Roxanne Barton Conlin

Roxanne Conlin has her own law firm in Des Moines, where she exclusively represents people who have been harmed by others, whether by discrimination, products, doctors or vehicles.

She entered Drake University in 1961, when she was only 16, and graduated from law school with honors five years later at the age of 21.

From 1969 to 1976, she was an Assistant Attorney General for Iowa, where she was head of the Iowa Civil Rights section and fought race and sex discrimination. She also rewrote Iowa’s inheritance laws; toughened the state’s assault laws and blocked a merger of two major utilities that would have hurt the average consumer.

She left the Attorney General’s Office to become a consultant to the United States Department of State for International Women’s Year.

In 1977, she became one of the first two women ever to be a United States Attorney. Roxanne put heroin dealers behind bars and prosecuted white-collar crimes and corruption in public office. She also served as President of the Federal Executive Council, which is composed of the heads of all seventy federal agencies.

Roxanne has devoted much time to individual organizations and causes and community service. She founded and was the first chair of the Iowa Women’s Political caucus, and was president and general counsel of the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund. Most recently, she has been named by the National Law Journal as one of the fifty most influential women lawyers in America, one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America and one of the top 10 litigators.

Her achievements have brought such honors as induction into the Iowa Woman’s Hall of Fame and national attention such as selection in 1975 as one of the 44 Women Who Could Save America and in 1976 as one of 44 Women Qualified for Cabinet Position.

In June of 1982, Roxanne won a three-way primary and became the Democratic nominee for Governor of Iowa. She was narrowly defeated in her effort to become that state’s first Democratic governor in 14 years, and its first woman governor.

She has had many other firsts. She was the first woman president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, a 60,000 member organization of consumer attorneys. She was the first woman to chair the Roscoe Pound Foundation, a trial lawyers think tank. She was the founder and first chair of the Civil Justice Foundation, which provides direct support to grass roots organizations and disabled individuals.

She was inducted in 1995 into the Inner Circle of Advocates, limited to only 100 members nationwide.

Recently, she was thrilled to have a law school scholarship named after her at the University of Missouri. She also received the Rosalie Wahi Award from the Minnesota Women Lawyers Association.

Roxanne’s commitment to pursuing justice on behalf of individuals began early in her career. She is nationally recognized for her public service and skill in litigating on behalf of individuals who have suffered at the hand of others.

Roxanne was born on June 30, 1944 in Huron, South Dakota. She is married to James C. Conlin and has 4 children and 5 grandchildren.

• Drake University. Bachelor of Arts, 1964. Phi Beta Kappa. Alpha Lambda Delta, Women’s Honorary Sorority. Chi Omega Social Service Award for work with underprivileged children. National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Reader’s Digest Scholar.
• Drake University Law School. Juris Doctorate, 1966. Law Review. Representative to American Law Student Association. Fischer Foundation Scholar. Dean: Kappa Beta Phi Legal Sorority.
• Drake University. Master’s Degree in Public Administration, 1979. Pi Alpha Alpha, Honorary Society in Public Affairs and Administration, 1978.
• Harvard University. Recipient: Grant for Seminar entitled Limits of Positivism: Certainty and Justice in the Law. August, 1980.

• 1991-Present
  • Roxanne Conlin & Associates, P.C.
  • Law Firm Focus: Civil Litigation
  • Employment Civil Rights, Personal Injury, and Constitutional Law
• 1983-1990
  • Galligan and Conlin, P.C.
  • Law Firm Focus: Civil Litigation
  • Employment, Civil Rights, Personal Injury and Constitutional Law
• 1982
  • Democratic nominee for Governor of the State of Iowa.
• 1977-1981
  • United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. Attorney
  • General’s Advisory Committee of United States Attorneys.
  • Consultant: Attorney General Advocacy Institute.
• 1977-1979
  • Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Iowa Law School.
  • First Course on Women and the Law in Iowa
• 1976-1977
  • Consultant to the United States Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year, United States Department of State.
• 1969-1976
  • Assistant Attorney General for the State of Iowa Director, Iowa Civil Rights Section, Department of Justice
  • Duties included prosecution of anti-trust suits and removal of public officials guilty of public misconduct
• 1967-1968
  • Deputy Industrial Commissioner.
• 1966-1967
  • Private Practice.

• 2009
  • Gertrude Rush Award from Iowa State Bar Association
  • Selected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
  • Selected as one of Midwest CEO’s Most Influential Women of 2009
• 2008
  • Selected as one of Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in America
  • Iowa Senate Resolution 134 commending work and congratulating for accomplishments, passed unanimously
  • 2008 Louise Noun Visionary Women Award – awarded by the Young Women’s Resource Center
  • Inducted into Iowa Legal Aid Hall of Fame
• 2007
  • 1st recipient of the Iowa Trial Lawyer’s Public Justice Award, named the Roxanne Conlin Public Justice Award
  • Inducted into the Iowa Democratic Party Hall of Fame as Outstanding Supporter
  • Elected to Litigation Counsel of America
• 2006
  • Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Leonard M. Ring Champion of Justice Award – this is awarded each year to a member whose life and career epitomizes that of a true champion of justice.
• 2005
  • Activist Leader Award from Drake University, United Way and Business Record
  • Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, 2005 ITLA Public Justice Award in Recognition of Persistence and Determination in Pursuing Successful Litigation that Establishes the Right to Trial by Jury for Plaintiffs in Civil Rights Cases under the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
  • Association of Trial Lawyers of America, National College of Advocacy, Diplomate of Trial Advocacy
  • Iowa Juneteenth Observance Liberty Award
  • The Iowa Shares Special Recognition Award
• 2004
  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award from NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund
• 2003
  • Lifetime Achievement Award from ATLA
  • Mary Louise Smith Human Rights Award from the Des Moines Human Rights Commission.
• 2002
  • Elected to Membership in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
  • Award from Very Special Arts of Iowa
  • Award from United Way for work with Young Women’s Resource Center
  • Named by National Law Journal as One of the Ten Most Influential Women Attorneys
• 2001
  • Mary Louise Smith Award for Racial Justice by the YWCA.
• 2000
  • Marie Lambert Award for Equality for Women from the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
  • Selected as One of Twelve Most Influential Women by the Des Moines Business Record.
  • Named One of the Fifty Most Influential Iowans by Des Moines Register.
• 1999
  • Martindale Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Attorneys
  • International Society of Lawyers for Public Service
  • Kansas City Association of Women Lawyers established the Annual Roxanne Barton Conlin Scholarship
• 1998
  • Rosalie Wahl Leadership Award from the Minnesota Women Lawyers Association.
  • Named by the National Law Journal as one of “The Fifty Most Influential Women Lawyers in America”
• 1997
  • Named Woman of the Year by the Metro Women’s Network.
• 1995-Present
  • Featured in Best Lawyers in America.
• 1995
  • Elected to Membership in the Inner Circle of Advocates
• 1994
  • Elected to membership in the American Law Institute.
  • APEX Award recognizing excellence in opinion column writing for President’s Page in Trial of June, 1993.
• 1993
  • Verne Lawyer Outstanding Member Award from the Iowa Association of Trial Lawyers.
  • Elected to Membership in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
• 1992
  • Life Fellow of the Iowa State Bar Association.
  • One of the women featured in the book More Strongminded Women by Louise Noun (ISU Press).
• 1991
  • Named one of 100 most influential lawyers in the nation by National Law Journal.
  • Elected to Membership in the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers.
  • Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
• 1990
  • Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys.
• 1989
  • Outstanding Alumni Award, Drake University Law School.
  • Woman of Vision Award, Young Women’s Resource Center.
  • Named one of the ten top litigators in an article in the National Law Journal.
• 1987
  • Iowa Citizens Action Network Annual Award for Public Service.
• 1981
  • Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.
  • Omicron Delta Kappa, Alumni Member.
  • Award for Outstanding Assistance – United States Secret Service.
• 1979
  • Special Commendation – Director of Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• 1978
  • Special Commendation – United States Postal Inspection Service.
• 1976
  • Chosen in article in McCall’s Magazine (November issue) as one of 44 Women Qualified for a Cabinet Position.
• 1975
  • Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Dubuque.
  • Chosen in article in Redbook Magazine as one of “44 Women Who Could Save America”.
• 1974
  • Outstanding Service to Civil Liberties presented by the Iowa Civil Liberties Union.
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. award for outstanding service presented by Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of N.A. AFL-CIO.
  • Outstanding Young Woman of Iowa.

Notable Listings:

• Who’s Who in America
• Who’s Who in American Law
• Who’s Who in Government
• Who’s Who of American Women
• Who’s Who in the Middlewest
• Who’s Who in Politics
• Dictionary of International Biography
• World’s Who’s Who of Women
• The Best Lawyers in America
• Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers

• 2000 – Current
  • Elected to membership in the Litigation Counsel of America, National Center for State Court Lawyers Committee, 2003 – 2006
  • Board of Directors Trial Lawyers Care, the National Pro Bono Effortfor the Victims of the September 11th Tragedy, 2001 – 2004
• 1990 –
  • President – Roscoe Pound Foundation, 1994 – 1997
  • Elected to Membership in the American Law Institute, 1994 – Present
  • Trustee in the American Jury Trial Foundation, 1993 – Present
  • President of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1992 – 1993; President-Elect (1991-1992); Vice-President (1990-1991); Secretary (1989-1990); Parliamentarian (1988-1989); and ATLA-PAC Board of Directors (1987-1989)
  • Chair of the following Association of Trial Lawyers of America committees: Organization Review Committee; Education Committee; Membership Oversight Committee; Consumer and Victims Coalition Committee; Safety Conference Committee; Member of Roscoe Pound Foundation Board of Governors, and various other committees (1986- 1992)
  • Board of Directors of the National Association of Former United States Attorneys, 1991 – 2000
  • Advisory Board Member – Older Iowans’ Permanent Fund Foundation, 1991 – 1997
  • Board Member – Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, 1991 – 2000
  • Honorary Board Member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, 1990 – 1995
• 1980 –
  • Master of the Bench, Blackstone Inn, American Inns of Court, 1989 – Present
  • Co-Chair, Higher Education Task Force of the State of Iowa, 1988 – 1992
  • Advisory Board, Coalition for Women’s Appointments, 1988 – 1990
  • President, Civil Justice Foundation, 1986 – 1988
  • Council on Judicial Selection, Appointed by Chief Justice Reynoldsen, 1986
  • Board of Directors, YWCA, 1986 – 1988
  • Chair, Board of Governors, Drake University Law School Endowment Trust, 1985 – 1986
  • Board of Governors, Association of Trial Lawyers of Iowa, 1984 – 1995
  • Board of Directors, NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund, 1983 – 1989
  • President, 1986 to 1988; General Counsel, 1985-1986
  • Board of Directors, Dowling High School, 1981 – 2001
  • President, Vice President, Federal Executive Council, 1979 – 1981
• 1970 –
  • Member, Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, 1979 – Present
  • Board of Directors, Iowa Shares Program, 1978 – 1980
  • Advisory Board, National Women’s Political Caucus, 1977 – 1992
  • Law Board of Counselors for Drake University Law School, 1977 – 1985
  • Panelist, Upper Midwest Council – Critical Choice Project, 1976 – 1977
  • Youth for Understanding, Bicentennial Committee of Iowa, 1976
  • Administrative Committee Member, National Women’s Political Caucus, 1975 – 1977
  • Board of Directors, Polk County Rape/Sexual Assault Care Center, 1974 – 1977
  • Board of Directors, Riverhills Day Care Center, 1974 – 1975
  • Founder and State Chairperson, Iowa Women’s Political Caucus, 1973 – 1975
  • Iowa Commission on the Status of Women
  • Member, American Bar Association and various sections and committees
  • Member, Iowa Bar Association, 1966 – Present; Career Day Panel, Bar Review Committee, Federal Practice Committee, Uniform Court Instructions Committee (1987-1992)

• “ATLA’s Litigating Tort Cases”, 6 volumes , Co-editor West Publishing Company (June, 2003)
• “In Defense of the American Trial Lawyer”, The Aspen Institute Quarterly (Spring, 1993, Volume V, No. II, Page 128).
• “Loser Pays” Rule: Who Pays for Injustice, with Clarence L. King, Jr., National Law Journal, July, 1992 (Reprinted in Trial Magazine, October, 1992).
• “Making the Opposing Expert Tell the Truth”, 22 Trial Lawyers Quarterly, No. 1, p. 50 (Fall, 1991).
• “Voir Dire Examination and Jury Selection”, Anatomy of a Personal Injury Lawsuit – 3rd Edition, (ATLA Press 1991).
• “Litigation Explosion Disputed”, National Law Journal, July 29, 1991 (Reprinted in Trial Magazine, p. 114, “`Litigation Explosion’ Tempest in a Teapot?”, Nov. 1991 as published by ATLA).
• “Women, Power, and the Law”, 26 Trial, 22 (Feb., 1990).
• “Landlord Liability for Criminal Attack on Client”, 35 Am. Jur. Trials 1 (1987).
• Legal Status of Homemakers in Iowa, United States Commission on International Women’s Year, November, 1976.
• “Government Policy and the Legal Status of Women”, Women in the Professions, Ed. Laurily Keir Epstein, Lexington Books, 1976.
• Equal Protection vs. The Equal Rights Amendment – Where Are We Now?, 24 Drake Law Review 259 (Winter 1975).

Political:

• 2008
  • Co-Chair Edwards for President
• 2007
  • Inducted into the Iowa Democratic Party Hall of Fame as Outstanding
  • Supporter
• 2004
  • Co-Chair Edwards for President
• Nov. 1998 – April, 1999
  • Chair, Iowa Democratic Party
• 1984
  • Member, Senior Women’s Strategy Council – Mondale/Ferraro Campaign
• 1984
  • Co-chair women for Harkin Committee
• 1983 -1984
  • Chair, National Policy Council, John Glenn for President Committee
• 1982
  • Democratic Nominee for Governor of Iowa
• June, 1982
  • Chair of the panel on Food & Agricultural Policies for Democratic National Committee – Philadelphia
• 1976
  • Headquarters Volunteer – Carter for President
• 1974
  • Vice-Chair of Iowa Delegation to the National Mid-term Convention
• 1964 – 1974
  • Delegate – Iowa Democratic State Conventions, Member of the Platform, Rules and By-Laws Committee
• 1966 – 1972
  • Precinct Committeewoman – Polk County Democratic Party
• 1968
  • Volunteer – Hughes for United State Senate
• 1965 – 1956
  • National Committeewoman – Iowa Young Democrats
• 1964 – 1966
  • President – Polk County Young Democrats
• 1962 -1964-1966
  • Volunteer – Hughes for Governor