B. MacPaul
Stanfield

“The reward in transactional practice is a successful closing followed by a round of digital high fives among the parties; it marks the start of the relationship not the end.”

Mac Stanfield’s legal practice is focused on representing commercial real estate mortgage lenders. He appreciates the opportunity to work in the team environments that are prevalent in the commercial real estate lending market. “I like the multiple communities you are a part of in this practice,” he says. “You get to work with your lending team, the network of closers and title officers, and you even get to know the community of counsel working with the borrowers.”

 

Law school found Mac after a decade touring North America with independent rock bands and a deep dive into American history. “Plan A was music all along,” he says. After a (moderately) successful run through the Boston club scene of the 1980s, the band split up (as most do). Mac finished his undergraduate degree on the East Coast and earned a master’s degree on the West Coast before pursuing a career in law. Coincidentally, a disagreement among former bandmates was the catalyst. “My interest in law emerged from dealing with recording contracts and publishing contracts from the days in the band and a squabble over who wrote what,” he says.

 

“One might say the law was Plan C,” Mac says, laughingly. But it has worked out well. Transactional work was always his goal. Initially working in entertainment law and soft intellectual property, Mac hit his stride when he found a mentor in commercial real estate mortgage lending. “It’s working toward a common goal that is so enjoyable,” Mac says. “Also, I enjoy the writing and the hunt for the precise language to make an agreement agreeable.”

 

Although to some people writing contract provisions may not have the same pizzazz as songwriting—a skill Mac still practices—there’s joy in legal writing. “I still find myself pretty jazzed up about a well-crafted paragraph,” he says.

 

With more than 15 years of experience representing commercial real estate mortgage lenders, Mac strives to be responsive to clients and responsible in every transaction. He’s pleased that clients will vouch for his work and the value he brings to a team. He works hard to be a collaborative team member who achieves excellent results for clients. “Being in a collegial atmosphere, both socially and professionally, that’s fun!” he says.

 

And while playing original songs with his local band is still important to Mac, his focus remains on closing commercial real estate mortgage loans and being a valuable team member for his clients.

Lincoln Inne of Des Moines

President, 2022–2023

Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, At-Large Officer, 2019–2022

 

Iowa State Bar Association

  • Ecommerce Seminar, “Preparing the Plank: Recent Litigation Strategies in Internet Piracy and Infringement Dispute,” Des Moines, Iowa, November 2004
  • Ecommerce Seminar, “Real Privacy Laws for Real People: Their Impact on Your Client,” Des Moines, Iowa, December 2003

 

Polk County Bar Association

 

Massachusetts Bar Association

 

Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation

Programming Committee, 2023–present

 

Synod School Planning Committee

Synod of Lakes and Prairies/PCUSA, 2017–2023

 

Des Moines Social Club

Director and Officer, 2017–2019

 

Cowles Montessori Parents Group

Director and Officer, 2011–2015

 

Metro Arts Alliance

Director and Officer, 2003–2009

 

Everybody Wins! Iowa

Director, Officer, Volunteer, 2004–2005

 

Drake Law School

Adjunct Professor of Law, Cyberspace and the Law; 2004, 2006

“Waiter! There’s a Patent in My Trademark: Distinguishing Intellectual Property Law for the Defense Lawyer,” Defense Update, Vol. XVIII, No. 2, at 5, Spring 2004

 

“Defending Intellectual Property Claims for the Non-Patent Lawyer,” Iowa Defense Council Association Annual Meeting, September 2003 (co-author)

           

 “Internet Publishing from the Publisher’s Perspective,” Internet Publishing, at 1, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, 2001 (co-author)

 

“Finding the Fact of Familiarity: Assessing Judicial Similarity Tests in Copyright Infringement Actions,” 49 Drake Law Review 489, 2001

OVERVIEW

Mac Stanfield’s legal practice is focused on representing commercial real estate mortgage lenders. He appreciates the opportunity to work in the team environments that are prevalent in the commercial real estate lending market. “I like the multiple communities you are a part of in this practice,” he says. “You get to work with your lending team, the network of closers and title officers, and you even get to know the community of counsel working with the borrowers.”

 

Law school found Mac after a decade touring North America with independent rock bands and a deep dive into American history. “Plan A was music all along,” he says. After a (moderately) successful run through the Boston club scene of the 1980s, the band split up (as most do). Mac finished his undergraduate degree on the East Coast and earned a master’s degree on the West Coast before pursuing a career in law. Coincidentally, a disagreement among former bandmates was the catalyst. “My interest in law emerged from dealing with recording contracts and publishing contracts from the days in the band and a squabble over who wrote what,” he says.

 

“One might say the law was Plan C,” Mac says, laughingly. But it has worked out well. Transactional work was always his goal. Initially working in entertainment law and soft intellectual property, Mac hit his stride when he found a mentor in commercial real estate mortgage lending. “It’s working toward a common goal that is so enjoyable,” Mac says. “Also, I enjoy the writing and the hunt for the precise language to make an agreement agreeable.”

 

Although to some people writing contract provisions may not have the same pizzazz as songwriting—a skill Mac still practices—there’s joy in legal writing. “I still find myself pretty jazzed up about a well-crafted paragraph,” he says.

 

With more than 15 years of experience representing commercial real estate mortgage lenders, Mac strives to be responsive to clients and responsible in every transaction. He’s pleased that clients will vouch for his work and the value he brings to a team. He works hard to be a collaborative team member who achieves excellent results for clients. “Being in a collegial atmosphere, both socially and professionally, that’s fun!” he says.

 

And while playing original songs with his local band is still important to Mac, his focus remains on closing commercial real estate mortgage loans and being a valuable team member for his clients.

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

Lincoln Inne of Des Moines

President, 2022–2023

Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, At-Large Officer, 2019–2022

 

Iowa State Bar Association

  • Ecommerce Seminar, “Preparing the Plank: Recent Litigation Strategies in Internet Piracy and Infringement Dispute,” Des Moines, Iowa, November 2004
  • Ecommerce Seminar, “Real Privacy Laws for Real People: Their Impact on Your Client,” Des Moines, Iowa, December 2003

 

Polk County Bar Association

 

Massachusetts Bar Association

 

Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation

Programming Committee, 2023–present

 

Synod School Planning Committee

Synod of Lakes and Prairies/PCUSA, 2017–2023

 

Des Moines Social Club

Director and Officer, 2017–2019

 

Cowles Montessori Parents Group

Director and Officer, 2011–2015

 

Metro Arts Alliance

Director and Officer, 2003–2009

 

Everybody Wins! Iowa

Director, Officer, Volunteer, 2004–2005

 

Drake Law School

Adjunct Professor of Law, Cyberspace and the Law; 2004, 2006

SPEECHES AND PUBLICATIONS

“Waiter! There’s a Patent in My Trademark: Distinguishing Intellectual Property Law for the Defense Lawyer,” Defense Update, Vol. XVIII, No. 2, at 5, Spring 2004

 

“Defending Intellectual Property Claims for the Non-Patent Lawyer,” Iowa Defense Council Association Annual Meeting, September 2003 (co-author)

           

 “Internet Publishing from the Publisher’s Perspective,” Internet Publishing, at 1, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, 2001 (co-author)

 

“Finding the Fact of Familiarity: Assessing Judicial Similarity Tests in Copyright Infringement Actions,” 49 Drake Law Review 489, 2001