Willard L.
Boyd III

OVERVIEW

Responsiveness, a thorough understanding of the issues, and the quest for solutions are the defining characteristics of Bill Boyd’s approach to the law.

They are valuable attributes in his corporate law practice. Bill works primarily with corporate entities on acquisitions, secured loans, and contracting matters, as well as on governance, organizational, operational, and planning issues. He advises health care and health insurance clients on regulatory matters (including privacy, certificate of need, and insurance regulation), and government contracts and compliance measures. In addition, Bill represents financial institutions on transactional matters and bank regulatory issues. Previous experience at a firm in Washington, D.C., has proven helpful with his array of client matters.

His extensive experience with nonprofit organizations—including charitable organizations, foundations, and trade associations—benefits from his legal philosophy and his personal dedication.

RECOGNITION

The Best Lawyers in America®
2005–2025

Chambers USA
2008–2024

The Best Lawyers in America®

• Lawyer of the Year, Corporate Law, Des Moines, 2011
• Lawyer of the Year, Health Care Law, Des Moines, 2014, 2024
• Lawyer of the Year, Non-Profit/Charities Law, Des Moines, 2012, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024

American Bar Foundation
Fellow

Iowa State Bar Foundation
Fellow

Iowa State Bar Association
President’s Award, 2004

Polk County Bar Association
Award of Merit, 2014

Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer Award, American Bar Association, Section on Business Law
2013

Great Plains Super Lawyers, Business/Corporate
2007, 2009–2022

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

American Law Institute
Elected Member

American Bar Association

• Business Law Section
• Corporate Laws Committee, Liaison
• State and Local Bar Relations Committee, Chair, 2012–2015
• Nonprofit Organizations Committee, Chair, 2008–2011
• Antitrust Law Section
• Health Law Section
• Public Contract Law Section
• Iowa Region, Chair

Iowa State Bar Association

• Board of Governors, 2014–2020
• President, 2019-2020
• Business Law Section Council, 2001–2007, 2020–present 
• Business Law Section, Chair, 2004–2007, 2021–present 
• Trade Regulation Section Council, 1998–2001
• Trade Regulation Section, Chair, 2000–2001
• Health Law Section Council, 1995–1998

Polk County Bar Association

• Board of Directors, 2008–2014
• President, 2013–2014

American Health Lawyers Association

National Contract Management Association

ChildServe

• Board of Directors, 2004–2011
• Chair, Board of Directors, 2009–2010

Variety – The Children’s Charity

• Board of Directors, 1996–2003, 2005–2013
• President, 2011–2012

Iowa Legal Aid
Board of Directors, 2008–2017

Iowa Legal Aid Foundation
Board of Directors, 2020–present

University of Iowa Alumni Association

• Board of Directors, 1993–1999
• President, 1997–1998

Humanities Iowa
Board of Directors, 1996–2002

Iowa Arts Council
Board of Directors, 2003–2007

Mercy College of Health Sciences

• 2009–2019
• Chair, 2014–2015

SPEECHES & PUBLICATIONS

"Amendments to Iowa’s revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act"
The Iowa Lawyer (February 2024) (Co-author)

"Iowa Business Corporation Act: The First Comprehensive Revision of Iowa's Corporation Statute in Over 30 Years"
ABA Business Law Today (January 2023) (Co-author)

"Benefit Corporations Come to Iowa"
The Iowa Lawyer (October 2021)

"Iowa Business Corporation Act: The First Comprehensive Revision of Iowa’s Corporation Statute in Over Thirty Years”
The Iowa Lawyer (August 2021) (Co-author)

Iowa Practice
Business Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations chapter, West, 2023

Business Law Manual
Audit Opinion Letters and Nonprofit Corporations chapters, Iowa State Bar Association, 2005, 2010, 2018

Nonprofit Law: A Practical Guide to Legal Issues of Nonprofit Organizations American Bar Association, 2017 (editor)

ABA State Law Procurement Handbook (third edition)
Iowa Chapter, 2016, 2019, 2022 

“Mergers, Acquisitions, and Affiliations Involving Nonprofits: Not Typical M&A Transactions”
ABA Business Law Today, June 2014

Guidebook for Directors of Nonprofit Corporations
American Bar Association, 2012, 2024 (co-editor)

“Lawyers’ Service on Nonprofit Boards: Managing the Risks of an Important Community Activity”
ABA Business Law Today, November/December 2008

The Governing Board for Iowa Charitable Nonprofits
University of Iowa, 2007 (contributor)

“Revised Iowa Nonprofit Corporation Act”
Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, May 2005

Iowa Legal Research Guide
Trade Regulation and Nonprofit Corporations chapters, Hein & Co., 2003 (co-author)

Legal Guide for Iowa Nonprofits
Legal Aspects of Organizing an Iowa Nonprofit Corporation and Duties and Liabilities of Iowa Nonprofit Corporations Board of Directors chapters, University of Iowa, 2003

“Implied-In-Fact Contract: Contractual Recovery Against the Government Without An Express Agreement”
21 Pub. Cont. L.J. 84, fall 1991

“The Treatment of Implied-in-Law and Implied-in-Fact Contracts and Promissory Estoppel in the United States Claims Court”
40 Cath. U. L. Rev. 605, 1991 (co-author)