Neal
Westin

OVERVIEW

Whether at work, in the community, or with his family, Neal Westin thrives on being involved and personally invested. In his practice, Neal specializes in business, privacy, and immigration law. He helps businesses find, hire, and retain properly authorized professional-level employees. He also represents individuals for student matters, work visas, and green cards to establish permanent residency.

 

“My immigration work is especially rewarding because I get to help people with a very personal and life-changing process,” Neal says. “It’s also challenging because it can be highly complex, is increasingly vetted, and the process can take years. Clients are deeply invested in the immigration process and anxious about the outcome. It’s rewarding to me to see them through the complex process.”

 

Neal also has a thriving corporate practice. From start-ups to nonprofits to multinational corporations, he helps businesses with contract reviews, licensing, ethics rules, intellectual property and trade secrets. He has an increased focus on privacy and information security, helping clients with data collection and usage matters. In relation to that practice, he’s qualified as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

 

Coming from a long line of teachers, Neal has a strong interest in education-related topics and appreciates opportunities to use his professional skills within the community. He has served on the campaign cabinet of United Way of Central Iowa and is active in their Education Leadership Initiative. He also serves on the Make-a-Wish Iowa board of directors, has been involved with prairie restoration efforts at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, and with his neighborhood association board.

 

An Iowa native, Neal graduated with distinction from the University of Iowa. He went on to graduate with honors from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was managing editor of the Texas Forum on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights and had an internship with the Texas Supreme Court.

 

RECOGNITION

Martindale-Hubbell 
AV® Preeminent

 

Chambers USA
Labor & Employment–Immigration, 2013–2024

The Best Lawyers in America®
Immigration Law, 2016–2025

 

The Best Lawyers in America®
Lawyer of the Year - Immigration Law, Des Moines, 2021, 2023, 2025

 

Great Plains Super Lawyers
Rising Stars, 2013–2014

Des Moines Business Record Forty Under 40
Honoree, 2011

 

Texas Forum on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Managing Editor, 1998–1999

 

Phi Beta Kappa

 

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

American Immigration Lawyers Association

 

American Bar Association

• Business Law Section
• International Law Section

 

Iowa State Bar Association

• Business Law Section
• International Law Section

 

Polk County Bar Association

 

International Association of Privacy Professionals 
Certified Information Privacy Professional

 

ABI Leadership Iowa
2011–2012

 

Make-a-Wish Iowa
Director, 2016–present

 

Beaverdale Betterment Coalition 

• President, 2006–2009
• Director, 2006–2014

 

Beaverdale Neighborhood Association
Director, 2004–2009

 

United Way of Central Iowa Education Leadership Initiative
2006–present

 

Friends of the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

• Advisory Board, 2016–present
• Director and Treasurer, 2000–2004
• Recipient of 2004 Pride of the Prairie Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer services

 

Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute
Class of 2005–2006