Leland
Slawson

“I like hands-on opportunities. I enjoy the kinetic practice of law.”

In his litigation practice, Leland Slawson finds being on-site to resolve disputes to be both interesting and challenging. He goes to the scenes of fires, explosions, and accidents to gain an insider’s view. “I enjoy being boots on the ground,” Leland says. “I like talking with experts, witnesses, and clients.” He sees it as the most effective way to find answers. “I’m a visual person,” he says. “You gain an immense amount from talking to the people involved and being present. It’s incredibly important to form that connection with the people you’re dealing with to be an effective advocate.”

 

Leland has a wide-ranging litigation practice. Besides property damage and personal injury defense, he handles commercial, construction, products liability, tort defense, and insurance cases. “I cut my teeth practicing at a smaller firm,” he says. “Because of that, I’ve been exposed to a wide variety of litigation.”

 

Even with the intensity and complexity of the cases and legal issues he handles, the people are his favorite aspect of practicing law. “I enjoy getting out there in the world, being in a courtroom, taking depositions, going to site inspections, and meeting with my clients,” he says. “I’ve always aimed to make my practice as practical and client-centric as possible.”

 

Getting the best results possible for his client is his primary goal. Along with his legal knowledge and experience, Leland relies on the skills and mindset he developed as a competitive college wrestler. “Wrestling is a combat sport,” Leland says. “It’s very competitive. Our legal system is also competitive, but it doesn’t need to be hostile. We don’t need to be breaking each other’s noses all the time, even if there’s an aspect of that inherent in the system.” He brings the grit and determination he learned during his wrestling career to his law practice.  

 

With every case, Leland strives to improve as an attorney. “I want to get better at what I do,” he says. “That attitude may be a holdover from my athletic career. It was a grind and a commitment. The whole goal was to get better every day. I want to get better—not just for myself but for my clients—so I can provide them with the effective legal advocacy they deserve.”

 

For Leland, clients are always top of mind. He wants them to know he cares about their case and what they’re dealing with. “I realize many of my clients are going through an incredibly difficult time in their life,” he says. “I’m here to help, and I care about their situation and what’s at stake. I want my clients to know I’m willing to work hard to help them get the best results possible.”

 

Leland met his wife in while attending college at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. Now they devote their spare time to caring for their adopted Pug, Mae; rooting for the New York Mets; and being a part of their Iowa community. A native of Upstate New York, Leland enjoys the collegiality of Iowa—both professionally and personally. “I grew up in a rural area surrounded by hardworking people just like so many of the people I’ve met here in Iowa,” he says. “I enjoy living in Iowa and being a part of this community.”

Iowa Bar Association

  • District 3B Representative, Executive Committee, 2021–2024
  • Young Lawyers Division

 

Iowa Defense Counsel Association

           

Nebraska Bar Association

Drake Law Review

  • Associate Editor
  • Editorial Board
  • Junior Staff

 

Varsity wrestling team, Briar Cliff University

OVERVIEW

In his litigation practice, Leland Slawson finds being on-site to resolve disputes to be both interesting and challenging. He goes to the scenes of fires, explosions, and accidents to gain an insider’s view. “I enjoy being boots on the ground,” Leland says. “I like talking with experts, witnesses, and clients.” He sees it as the most effective way to find answers. “I’m a visual person,” he says. “You gain an immense amount from talking to the people involved and being present. It’s incredibly important to form that connection with the people you’re dealing with to be an effective advocate.”

 

Leland has a wide-ranging litigation practice. Besides property damage and personal injury defense, he handles commercial, construction, products liability, tort defense, and insurance cases. “I cut my teeth practicing at a smaller firm,” he says. “Because of that, I’ve been exposed to a wide variety of litigation.”

 

Even with the intensity and complexity of the cases and legal issues he handles, the people are his favorite aspect of practicing law. “I enjoy getting out there in the world, being in a courtroom, taking depositions, going to site inspections, and meeting with my clients,” he says. “I’ve always aimed to make my practice as practical and client-centric as possible.”

 

Getting the best results possible for his client is his primary goal. Along with his legal knowledge and experience, Leland relies on the skills and mindset he developed as a competitive college wrestler. “Wrestling is a combat sport,” Leland says. “It’s very competitive. Our legal system is also competitive, but it doesn’t need to be hostile. We don’t need to be breaking each other’s noses all the time, even if there’s an aspect of that inherent in the system.” He brings the grit and determination he learned during his wrestling career to his law practice.  

 

With every case, Leland strives to improve as an attorney. “I want to get better at what I do,” he says. “That attitude may be a holdover from my athletic career. It was a grind and a commitment. The whole goal was to get better every day. I want to get better—not just for myself but for my clients—so I can provide them with the effective legal advocacy they deserve.”

 

For Leland, clients are always top of mind. He wants them to know he cares about their case and what they’re dealing with. “I realize many of my clients are going through an incredibly difficult time in their life,” he says. “I’m here to help, and I care about their situation and what’s at stake. I want my clients to know I’m willing to work hard to help them get the best results possible.”

 

Leland met his wife in while attending college at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. Now they devote their spare time to caring for their adopted Pug, Mae; rooting for the New York Mets; and being a part of their Iowa community. A native of Upstate New York, Leland enjoys the collegiality of Iowa—both professionally and personally. “I grew up in a rural area surrounded by hardworking people just like so many of the people I’ve met here in Iowa,” he says. “I enjoy living in Iowa and being a part of this community.”

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

Iowa Bar Association

  • District 3B Representative, Executive Committee, 2021–2024
  • Young Lawyers Division

 

Iowa Defense Counsel Association

           

Nebraska Bar Association

RECOGNITION

Drake Law Review

  • Associate Editor
  • Editorial Board
  • Junior Staff

 

Varsity wrestling team, Briar Cliff University