Joseph
Quinn

“The best approach I can take for my client is to practice law from a strategic and commonsense perspective.”

Knowing every decision can affect the outcome of a case, Joe Quinn approaches his work strategically. “When defending cases, I’m careful to be deliberate about every decision, whether it’s how I present evidence, which experts I use, or especially the timing of my actions,” he says.

 

Joe specializes in workers' compensation, primarily representing employers and insurance companies. He also litigates personal injury, ERISA, and employment cases. Additionally, Joe heads the Iowa Newspaper Association Legal Hotline, providing legal advice to newspapers across Iowa on issues such as advertising, public records, employment, open meetings, taxes, and libel concerns.

 

As a mediator with a Mediation Skills Training Certificate from Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies, Joe helps opposing parties in a lawsuit reach a resolution. Joe's mediation practice adds another gratifying yet challenging area to his practice. “Because I had regularly participated in mediations in the course of my litigation practice, I knew I would enjoy facilitating the dispute resolution process,” he says.

 

Whether he’s working with a large insurance company or the owner of a small-town newspaper, Joe views every matter as personal, and he goes to great lengths to achieve the best outcome and offer the best value without sacrificing results. “Budget is always an important factor for clients,” he says. “I strive to evaluate the situation early and present viable options, so clients can make informed decisions in a timely manner.” Joe’s evaluations often include digging deep into the evidence, leaving no stone unturned to find important information that might have gone unknown.

 

As the son of a firefighter, Joe makes his own contribution to public safety through service on the Des Moines Civil Service Commission. He participates in hiring decisions and chairs hearings related to disciplinary issues for city employees. “I like making a contribution by using my skills as attorney. As a civilian, this is as close as I was going to get to public safety work,” Joe says. Joe also serves on the Polk County Compensation Board and on industry association committees. He volunteers as a facilitator for Powell Chemical Dependency Center.

American Bar Association

 

Iowa State Bar Association

  • Workers’ Compensation Section Council
    • 2000–2003, 2006–2008
    • Chair, 2001–2002, 2007–2008
  • Workers’ Compensation Section Seminar Committee, Co-Chair, 1998–2001
  • Public Relations Committee, 1997–2001
  • Young Lawyers’ Division State Fair Committee, Chair, 1992–1997

 

Polk County Bar Association 
Public Relations Committee, 1996–2000

 

Iowa Defense Counsel Association

 

Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

 

Iowa Self-Insurer Association, Legislative Committee 
2009–present

 

Iowa Newspaper Association–Legal Hotline

 

City of Des Moines Civil Service Commission 

  • 1998–Present 
  • Chair, 2002–2006

 

Polk County Compensation Board

  • 2002–Present 
  • Chair, 2005

 

Association of Business and Industry Workers’ Compensation Committee
2004–Present

Martindale-Hubbell
AV® Preeminent

 

Claims & Litigation Management Alliance

 

56th Annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium 
June 14, 2018

 

51st Annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium
June 14, 2013

 

DMOS 9th Annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium
January 27, 2006

 

Iowa Legal Research Guide
2003 (co-author with Coreen Sweeney)

 

Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Inc. 
24th Annual Seminar, October 17, 2002

 

ISBA Seminar
April 19, 2001

 

Iowa State Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Seminar
March 31, 2000

 

Des Moines Orthopedic Surgeons, Third Annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium
January 28, 2000

 

Iowa State Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation Seminar
March 19, 1999 (moderator)

 

NBI Seminar, Workers’ Compensation in Iowa
October 7, 1997 (faculty)

 

35th Annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium
June 12–13, 1997

 

NBI Seminar, Workers’ Compensation in Iowa
October 10, 1996 (faculty)

 

Joe also regularly speaks at seminars and programs regarding media law and various issues relevant to Iowa newspapers.

 

OVERVIEW

Knowing every decision can affect the outcome of a case, Joe Quinn approaches his work strategically. “When defending cases, I’m careful to be deliberate about every decision, whether it’s how I present evidence, which experts I use, or especially the timing of my actions,” he says.

 

Joe specializes in workers' compensation, primarily representing employers and insurance companies. He also litigates personal injury, ERISA, and employment cases. Additionally, Joe heads the Iowa Newspaper Association Legal Hotline, providing legal advice to newspapers across Iowa on issues such as advertising, public records, employment, open meetings, taxes, and libel concerns.

 

As a mediator with a Mediation Skills Training Certificate from Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies, Joe helps opposing parties in a lawsuit reach a resolution. Joe's mediation practice adds another gratifying yet challenging area to his practice. “Because I had regularly participated in mediations in the course of my litigation practice, I knew I would enjoy facilitating the dispute resolution process,” he says.

 

Whether he’s working with a large insurance company or the owner of a small-town newspaper, Joe views every matter as personal, and he goes to great lengths to achieve the best outcome and offer the best value without sacrificing results. “Budget is always an important factor for clients,” he says. “I strive to evaluate the situation early and present viable options, so clients can make informed decisions in a timely manner.” Joe’s evaluations often include digging deep into the evidence, leaving no stone unturned to find important information that might have gone unknown.

 

As the son of a firefighter, Joe makes his own contribution to public safety through service on the Des Moines Civil Service Commission. He participates in hiring decisions and chairs hearings related to disciplinary issues for city employees. “I like making a contribution by using my skills as attorney. As a civilian, this is as close as I was going to get to public safety work,” Joe says. Joe also serves on the Polk County Compensation Board and on industry association committees. He volunteers as a facilitator for Powell Chemical Dependency Center.

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

American Bar Association

 

Iowa State Bar Association

  • Workers’ Compensation Section Council
    • 2000–2003, 2006–2008
    • Chair, 2001–2002, 2007–2008
  • Workers’ Compensation Section Seminar Committee, Co-Chair, 1998–2001
  • Public Relations Committee, 1997–2001
  • Young Lawyers’ Division State Fair Committee, Chair, 1992–1997

 

Polk County Bar Association 
Public Relations Committee, 1996–2000

 

Iowa Defense Counsel Association

 

Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

 

Iowa Self-Insurer Association, Legislative Committee 
2009–present

 

Iowa Newspaper Association–Legal Hotline

 

City of Des Moines Civil Service Commission 

  • 1998–Present 
  • Chair, 2002–2006

 

Polk County Compensation Board

  • 2002–Present 
  • Chair, 2005

 

Association of Business and Industry Workers’ Compensation Committee
2004–Present

RECOGNITION

Martindale-Hubbell
AV® Preeminent

 

Claims & Litigation Management Alliance

 

SPEECHES & PUBLICATIONS

56th Annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium 
June 14, 2018

 

51st Annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium
June 14, 2013

 

DMOS 9th Annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium
January 27, 2006

 

Iowa Legal Research Guide
2003 (co-author with Coreen Sweeney)

 

Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Inc. 
24th Annual Seminar, October 17, 2002

 

ISBA Seminar
April 19, 2001

 

Iowa State Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Seminar
March 31, 2000

 

Des Moines Orthopedic Surgeons, Third Annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium
January 28, 2000

 

Iowa State Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation Seminar
March 19, 1999 (moderator)

 

NBI Seminar, Workers’ Compensation in Iowa
October 7, 1997 (faculty)

 

35th Annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium
June 12–13, 1997

 

NBI Seminar, Workers’ Compensation in Iowa
October 10, 1996 (faculty)

 

Joe also regularly speaks at seminars and programs regarding media law and various issues relevant to Iowa newspapers.