Jeffrey W.
Courter

OVERVIEW

Annually recognized for excellence by his peers, litigation guides and clients, Jeff Courter’s success speaks for itself. “I have a great relationship with the creditor rights/bankruptcy legal bar which I practice with and against on a daily basis,” he says.  “To me it’s just reflective of treating people with civility and respect.” 

 

This ability to work well with his peers and opposing counsel ultimately obtains success for his clients. He’s able to identify weaknesses on both sides and find the most efficient solution for a given case.

 

Jeff's practice is concentrated in the areas of creditor rights and bankruptcy. He routinely represents clients across Iowa in various creditor rights matters including, among others, foreclosures of mortgages and security interests, replevins, breaches of contract/lease, and suits on notes. He also represents clients in bankruptcy matters throughout Iowa and across the country, including defending preference actions and prosecuting complaints objecting to discharge/dischargability of debt, reclamation claims, objecting to confirmation of Chapter 11, 12, and 13 Plans, and other creditor matters in bankruptcy cases.

 

After law school, Jeff clerked for the chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court and then for a federal bankruptcy judge. He always thought he’d enter a business-oriented practice, and his clerking experiences cemented his plans. “Bankruptcy is a specialized practice area that attorneys shouldn’t dabble in because the bankruptcy code is nearly as complicated as the tax code, so you either do this full time or you shouldn’t be doing it at all,” he says.

 

Jeff greatly enjoys the variety and diversity of cases he encounters. “Every day is a new challenge,” he says. “We’re trying to help clients promptly resolve financial disputes, with each case presenting a different set of issues and facts.”

 

Jeff is also heavily involved in community activities and has served in leadership positions for a number of groups. He has been recognized by both the Des Moines Business Record and The Des Moines Register for his community leadership accomplishments. Jeff has also been active in local, state, and national political campaigns for the past 40 years and is hopelessly addicted to golf.

 

RECOGNITION

The Best Lawyers in America®

• Lawyer of the Year, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Des Moines, 2016, 2018, 2020
• Lawyer of the Year, Litigation–Bankruptcy, Des Moines, 2013, 2016, 2023

 

The Best Lawyers in America®

• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency Reorganization Law, 2010–2024
• Litigation–Bankruptcy, 2010–2024
• Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, 2024

 

Great Plains Super Lawyers
Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights, 2013–2024

 

BTI Consulting Group
Client Service All-Star, 2022

 

Martindale-Hubbell
AV® Preeminent

 

 

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

American Bankruptcy Institute

 

Iowa State Bar Association

• Commercial and Bankruptcy Law Section, Council Member, 1999–2002; Chair, 2002; CLE Committee, Chair, 2000–2001
• Business Law Section
• Litigation Section

 

Polk County Bar Association

 

Federal Bar Association
Secretary, 1999–2004

 

University of Iowa Law School Foundation
Board of Directors, 2018–present 

 

University of Iowa Alumni Association

• Board of Directors, 2010–2018
• Chair-Elect, 2013–2014
• Chair, 2014–2015
• Past Chair, 2015–2016

 

University of Iowa Presidential Committee on Athletics
Member, 2016–2022

 

Wakonda Club

• Board of Directors, 2007–2009, 2011–2014
• Secretary, 2011
• Vice President, 2012
• President, 2013
• Past President, 2014

 

Rotary Club of Des Moines A.M.

• Member, 1993–present
• Vice Chair for Program, 1995–1996
• President-Elect, 1999–2000
• President, 2000–2001
• Past President, 2001–2002

 

Rotary Club of Des Moines A.M. Foundation
President, 2005–2006

 

Iowa Legal Aid Society, Cady Cup Planning Committee
2005–present

 

Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute
1991–1992

• Board of Governors, 1992–1997; 
• Chair, Fundraising Committee, 1992–1993; 
• Chair, Alumni Committee, 1993–1994; 
• Chair-Elect, 1994–1995; 
• Chair, 1995–1996 
• Past Chair, 1996–1997
• Community Match Volunteer of the Year Award, 1997

 

Des Moines Area Community College Foundation

• Board of Directors, 1995–2005
• President, 1996–2002

 

Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education

• President, 2006–2008
• Parent Advisory Board, 2006–2010

 

Iowa State Civil Rights Commission

• Commissioner, 1992–1997
• Vice Chair, 1994
• Chair, 1995–1996

 

Friends of Iowa Civil Rights, Inc.
Board of Directors, 1996–1998

 

Dowling High School Foundation
Board of Directors, 2015–2018

 

The Des Moines Register Advisory Council

• Member, 1992–1994
• Chair, 1993

 

Des Moines Business Record Forty Under 40—Community Leadership Award
2001

 

 Iowa Up-and-Comer by The Des Moines Register
1993

SPEECHES & PUBLICATIONS

"What Do You Mean Our Borrower Just Filed Bankruptcy?  A Primer On Creditor Collection Rights In Bankruptcy" 
Community Bankers of Iowa Ag Conference, 2018 (speaker)

 

 “A Primer on Creditor Collection Rights in Bankruptcy”
Iowa State Bar Association Corporate Counsel Section Webinar, 2017 (speaker)

 

"Storm Clouds In The Ag Sector – A Primer On Ag Sector and Bankruptcy Trends, Bankruptcy 101 and Replevin 101" 
John Deere Financial, 2016 (speaker) 

 

“Assignment and Assumption of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases”
32nd Annual Iowa Bankruptcy Law Conference, 2013 (speaker with Kristina Stanger)

 

“Case Law Update”
22nd Annual Iowa Bankruptcy Law Conference, 2003 (speaker)

 

“Bankruptcy Nuts & Bolts”
Iowa Independent Banks Hot Topics Seminar, 2000 (speaker)

 

“Advanced Nuts & Bolts”
17th Annual Iowa Bankruptcy Law Conference, 1998 (speaker)