Stephanie L.
Marett

“I am committed to being prepared and doing my best in my law practice no matter how difficult the situation or issue.”

Having a strong work ethic and doing quality work have been a way of life for Stephanie Marett since she was a child. “My parents both worked hard and had high expectations for themselves no matter the circumstances,” she says. “They instilled in me those same values, which I applied to school, sports, music and work.”

 

Stephanie specializes in workers’ compensation claims, defending businesses in litigated and non-litigated cases. “I find the medical issues of workers’ compensation cases particularly engaging and enjoy working with medical professionals,” she says.

 

Stephanie strives to address issues proactively with clients, advising them on how to approach matters to avoid claims in the first place. She views her client relationships, which can span many years, as her biggest inspiration at work. “My clients are the best part of my job and make my work more meaningful and enjoyable.”

 

A competitive litigator, Stephanie is also effective in appellate settings. Because of the number of appeals in workers’ compensation cases, Stephanie brings vast experience to the appellate process and is a polished writer of appeal briefs. “During my judicial clerkship, I reviewed many briefs and learned what is and is not effective,” she says. “I am able to present evidence in an efficient and easy-to-understand manner.”

 

She also defends bad faith cases. Many of those cases have an underlying workers’ compensation element, and that interconnection gives her an advantage. “My knowledge of workers’ compensation issues, statutes, and procedures provides me with an advantage in handling the complex issues that arise in bad faith cases throughout the litigation process.” In addition, Stephanie handles personal liability and tort defense, insurance coverage and conduct, and business and commercial litigation.

 

Following her parents’ example, Stephanie’s professional and life philosophy is simple: work hard, be prepared, and always do your best. “Achieving a goal, especially one that involves a significant financial obligation like paying my way through law school, is more satisfying and rewarding when it is reached through your own hard work and dedication,” she says.

 

A college semester abroad in Malta gave her insight that she continues to apply in her law practice. “It helped broaden my perspective of the world, gave me real-life problem-solving skills, and provided the opportunity to learn and work with people from very diverse backgrounds,” Stephanie says. “This experience provided me with a better perspective in my practice because I work with employers from a wide variety of occupations that have a diverse work force.”

 

The Best Lawyers in America®
Workers' Compensation Law, Des Moines, 2025

 

Martindale-Hubbell
Distinguished

 

Great Plains Super Lawyers
Rising Stars, 2013

 

Phi Beta Kappa

 

Drake Law Review

  • 1997–1999; 
  • Articles Editor, 1998–1999

 

Phi Alpha Delta

 

Drake University Law School’s Jeff Gilbert Memorial Award

 

American Bar Association
Litigation Section

 

Iowa State Bar Association

  • Board of Governors, 2021–present
  • YLD Mock Trial Committee, 2000–2011
  • Litigation Section
  • Workers’ Compensation Section

 

Polk County Bar Association

  • Board Member, 2020–present
  • Law Day Committee, Co-Chair, 2018–present
  • Public Relations Committee, Co-Chair, 2004–2008

 

Defense Research Institute

 

Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

  • Board of Governors, 2021–present
  • Annual Seminar Committee, Co-Chair, 2007–2009

 

Iowa Defense Counsel Association

 

Iowa Self-Insured Association
Annual Seminar Committee, 2010–2016

 

Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute
Class of 2012

 

Community Advisory Board, Junior League of Des Moines
Member, 2000–present

 

Beaverdale Neighborhood Association
Volunteer

 

Parent Teacher Association for Perkins Academy 
Vice President, 2010–2012

 

Parent Teacher Association for Merrill Middle School
Communications Chair, 2015–2017

 

Paulino v. Chartis Claims, Inc., 774 F. 3d 1161 (8th Cir. 2014). Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s granting of summary judgment in Chartis’s favor and dismissing the case, finding Chartis acted in an objectively reasonable manner when it withdrew authorization for Paulino’s continued rehabilitation residence, thereby precluding a bad faith claim.

 

Dunlap v. Commerce and Industry Insurance Company, LACL 114516 (Iowa Dist. Ct. August 2017). Iowa District Court for Polk County granted summary judgment, including one claim on a motion to reconsider, in Commerce and Industry’s favor and dismissed the case, finding Defendants did not act in bad faith with respect to the handling of Dunlap’s workers’ compensation claim.

 

Gonzalez v. Berry Plastics Corp., CVCV501443 (Iowa Dist. Ct. Dec. 13, 2017). On judicial review, the Iowa District Court for Franklin County affirmed the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner’s appeal decision that held Gonzalez failed to carry her burden of proof that her stipulated work injury resulted in CRPS and/or a mental injury rather than a temporary scheduled member injury.

 

Sandberg v. Rubbermaid Home Products, 2008 WL 5234378 (Iowa Ct. App. Dec. 17, 2008). Appellate counsel for case wherein the Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s reversal of the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner. The Iowa Court of Appeals held that chronic pain alone cannot serve as the basis for converting a scheduled member injury to a body as a whole injury.

 

Rogers v. Energy Panel Structures, et al., No. 07-458 (Iowa Ct. App. Aug. 8, 2007). The Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed the district court decision, which dismissed all breach of contract, warranty, and negligence claims against client EPS because the co-defendant dealer was not an agent of EPS.

 

Bowers v. Polk County Bd. of Supervisors, No. 01-1636 (Iowa Supreme Ct. Jan. 7, 2002). Directly involved in amicus curiae brief addressing constitutional issues on behalf of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. The brief was filed in support of the district court’s judgment affirming the Polk County Board of Supervisors’ decision to authorize the issuance of essential county purpose bonds for the Iowa Event Center without holding a public referendum. The Iowa Supreme Court upheld the district court’s judgment.

OVERVIEW

Having a strong work ethic and doing quality work have been a way of life for Stephanie Marett since she was a child. “My parents both worked hard and had high expectations for themselves no matter the circumstances,” she says. “They instilled in me those same values, which I applied to school, sports, music and work.”

 

Stephanie specializes in workers’ compensation claims, defending businesses in litigated and non-litigated cases. “I find the medical issues of workers’ compensation cases particularly engaging and enjoy working with medical professionals,” she says.

 

Stephanie strives to address issues proactively with clients, advising them on how to approach matters to avoid claims in the first place. She views her client relationships, which can span many years, as her biggest inspiration at work. “My clients are the best part of my job and make my work more meaningful and enjoyable.”

 

A competitive litigator, Stephanie is also effective in appellate settings. Because of the number of appeals in workers’ compensation cases, Stephanie brings vast experience to the appellate process and is a polished writer of appeal briefs. “During my judicial clerkship, I reviewed many briefs and learned what is and is not effective,” she says. “I am able to present evidence in an efficient and easy-to-understand manner.”

 

She also defends bad faith cases. Many of those cases have an underlying workers’ compensation element, and that interconnection gives her an advantage. “My knowledge of workers’ compensation issues, statutes, and procedures provides me with an advantage in handling the complex issues that arise in bad faith cases throughout the litigation process.” In addition, Stephanie handles personal liability and tort defense, insurance coverage and conduct, and business and commercial litigation.

 

Following her parents’ example, Stephanie’s professional and life philosophy is simple: work hard, be prepared, and always do your best. “Achieving a goal, especially one that involves a significant financial obligation like paying my way through law school, is more satisfying and rewarding when it is reached through your own hard work and dedication,” she says.

 

A college semester abroad in Malta gave her insight that she continues to apply in her law practice. “It helped broaden my perspective of the world, gave me real-life problem-solving skills, and provided the opportunity to learn and work with people from very diverse backgrounds,” Stephanie says. “This experience provided me with a better perspective in my practice because I work with employers from a wide variety of occupations that have a diverse work force.”

 

RECOGNITION

The Best Lawyers in America®
Workers' Compensation Law, Des Moines, 2025

 

Martindale-Hubbell
Distinguished

 

Great Plains Super Lawyers
Rising Stars, 2013

 

Phi Beta Kappa

 

Drake Law Review

  • 1997–1999; 
  • Articles Editor, 1998–1999

 

Phi Alpha Delta

 

Drake University Law School’s Jeff Gilbert Memorial Award

 

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

American Bar Association
Litigation Section

 

Iowa State Bar Association

  • Board of Governors, 2021–present
  • YLD Mock Trial Committee, 2000–2011
  • Litigation Section
  • Workers’ Compensation Section

 

Polk County Bar Association

  • Board Member, 2020–present
  • Law Day Committee, Co-Chair, 2018–present
  • Public Relations Committee, Co-Chair, 2004–2008

 

Defense Research Institute

 

Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

  • Board of Governors, 2021–present
  • Annual Seminar Committee, Co-Chair, 2007–2009

 

Iowa Defense Counsel Association

 

Iowa Self-Insured Association
Annual Seminar Committee, 2010–2016

 

Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute
Class of 2012

 

Community Advisory Board, Junior League of Des Moines
Member, 2000–present

 

Beaverdale Neighborhood Association
Volunteer

 

Parent Teacher Association for Perkins Academy 
Vice President, 2010–2012

 

Parent Teacher Association for Merrill Middle School
Communications Chair, 2015–2017

 

SIGNIFICANT CASES

Paulino v. Chartis Claims, Inc., 774 F. 3d 1161 (8th Cir. 2014). Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s granting of summary judgment in Chartis’s favor and dismissing the case, finding Chartis acted in an objectively reasonable manner when it withdrew authorization for Paulino’s continued rehabilitation residence, thereby precluding a bad faith claim.

 

Dunlap v. Commerce and Industry Insurance Company, LACL 114516 (Iowa Dist. Ct. August 2017). Iowa District Court for Polk County granted summary judgment, including one claim on a motion to reconsider, in Commerce and Industry’s favor and dismissed the case, finding Defendants did not act in bad faith with respect to the handling of Dunlap’s workers’ compensation claim.

 

Gonzalez v. Berry Plastics Corp., CVCV501443 (Iowa Dist. Ct. Dec. 13, 2017). On judicial review, the Iowa District Court for Franklin County affirmed the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner’s appeal decision that held Gonzalez failed to carry her burden of proof that her stipulated work injury resulted in CRPS and/or a mental injury rather than a temporary scheduled member injury.

 

Sandberg v. Rubbermaid Home Products, 2008 WL 5234378 (Iowa Ct. App. Dec. 17, 2008). Appellate counsel for case wherein the Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s reversal of the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner. The Iowa Court of Appeals held that chronic pain alone cannot serve as the basis for converting a scheduled member injury to a body as a whole injury.

 

Rogers v. Energy Panel Structures, et al., No. 07-458 (Iowa Ct. App. Aug. 8, 2007). The Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed the district court decision, which dismissed all breach of contract, warranty, and negligence claims against client EPS because the co-defendant dealer was not an agent of EPS.

 

Bowers v. Polk County Bd. of Supervisors, No. 01-1636 (Iowa Supreme Ct. Jan. 7, 2002). Directly involved in amicus curiae brief addressing constitutional issues on behalf of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. The brief was filed in support of the district court’s judgment affirming the Polk County Board of Supervisors’ decision to authorize the issuance of essential county purpose bonds for the Iowa Event Center without holding a public referendum. The Iowa Supreme Court upheld the district court’s judgment.