Patricia A. Shoff

Patricia Shoff is a shareholder of the firm who primarily practices in the areas of employment law, family law, alternative dispute resolution and health care law. 

Ms. Shoff practices in the area of employment discrimination defense.  In addition to her employment litigation practice, she advises clients in what she refers to as "preventive employment law" through counseling employers regarding employee forms, handbooks, review and evaluations of employees, and the proper ways to handle discipline and termination matters.  Her areas of practice include defense of age, race, sex, and disability discrimination cases; wrongful discharge; and sexual harassment.

Ms. Shoff also handles cases involving child custody disputes, alimony and child support, and the division of personal property and small businesses.  In addition to serving as an advocate for her clients, Ms. Shoff is a Certified Family Law Mediator.

Ms. Shoff has been a frequent lecturer at seminars and continuing legal education programs in her areas of expertise.  She has also served on numerous civic and professional boards. 

Following her graduation from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1973, Ms. Shoff served as a judicial clerk for one year to former Chief Justice W. W. Reynoldson of the Supreme Court of Iowa.

Comment, Tightening the Screws on Minor Assemblies Abroad: The Meaning of "Makes" under the Patent Infringement Statute, 57 Iowa L. Rev 889 (1972)

Presenter on Family Law - University of Iowa, Iowa Association of Trial Lawyers, Polk County Bar Association

Presenter on Legal Ethics in Iowa - Lorman Educational Systems, BNI, Iowa Association of Women Attorneys, Polk County Bar Association

Presenter on Employment Law - Drake University, Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Society of CPAs, Mercy Medical Center

Contributing Author, Divorce: Things to Consider - A Broad Overview of Areas of Concern, Iowa Commission on the Status of Women

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Labor & Employment Law and Family Law (1997 to present)

AV® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell

Polk County Bar Association Award of Merit (1990)

Polk County Bar Association (Member, Board of Directors, 1987-1999; Vice President, 1992; President-Elect, 1993; President, 1994; Past Chair, Ethics Committee)

Iowa State Bar Association (Member, Board of Governors, 1995-1999; Employment Law Section, Member and Chair, 1993; Member, Family Law Section)

American Bar Association (Member, Labor and Employment Law Section; Member, Family Law Section)

Polk County Bar Ethics Committee (Member, 1997-2005; Chair, 2000-2005)

Iowa Law School Foundation (Member, 1992-2004)

Mercy College of Health Sciences (Board Member, 2003-present; President of the Board, 2009)

Anawim (Board Member, 2008-present)

Children and Families of Iowa (Member, Board of Directors, 1980-1991; Vice President, 1981-1982; President, 1982-1983)

Very Special Arts Iowa (Member, Board of Directors, 1988-1993; Secretary, 1990; President, 1992)

The Homestead, Living and Learning Center for Adults with Autism (Member, Board of Directors; President of the Board, 1996)

Governor's Committee on Child Abuse Prevention (Member, 1982-1992; Chair, 1987-1992)

Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Board of Governors (Member, 1983-1984; President, 1984-1985)

Polk County Legal Aid (former Member of the Board of Directors; Participant, Volunteer Lawyers Program; Intake Volunteer, 2006-present)

Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities (Appointed, 1999)

Chair of the Inaugural Iowa Walk Far for NAAR n/k/a Autism Speaks(fundraising walk for autism research)

Junior League (Advance Planning Committee, 1984-1985; Placement Advisor, 1986-1987; Grants Committee, 1988)

Federal Cases:

Fisher v. Pharmacia & Upjohn, 225 F.3d 915, 2000 WL 1239818, 79 Empl. Prac. Dec. P 40,227, 83 Fair Empl.Prac.Cas. (BNA) 1445 (8th Cir. 2000)

State Cases:

In re Marriage of Briddle, 732 N.W.2d 887 (Iowa 2007)

In re Marriage of Goodman, 682 N.W.2d 82, 2004 WL 433971 (Iowa Ct. App. 2004), affirmed, 690 N.W.2d 279, 2004 WL 2534297 (Iowa 2004)

In re Marriage of McCurnin, 681 N.W.2d 322, 2004 WL 1057761 (Iowa 2004)

In re Marriage of Steele, 502 N.W.2d 18, 1993 WL 215482 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993)

Christenson v. Christenson, 472 N.W.2d 279, 1991 WL 130237 (Iowa 1991)

Hamilton v. First Baptist Elderly Housing Foundation, 436 N.W.2d 336, 1989 WL 13914, 7 IER Cases 1773, 50 Empl. Prac. Dec. P 39,038, 58 Fair Empl.Prac.Cas. (BNA) 243 (Iowa 1989)

In re Marriage of Howell, 434 N.W.2d 629, 1989 WL 4865, 57 USLW 2536 (Iowa 1989)

In re Marriage of Frederici, 338 N.W.2d 156 (Iowa 1983)