Alexandra
Cutler

“I like the ability to take our complex legal system and give it a real-world application.”

Alex Cutler hates being a cliché. But sometimes the truth can sound that way. “A lot of people say this, but it truly is accurate. The law is a helping profession,” Alex says. “There are so many ways I can help you. A lot of lawyers, including myself, are lawyers because that’s how they want to help people.”

 

In her Labor & Employment and Litigation practice, Alex searches for the ways she can be the most help to her clients. When disputes arise, including labor union issues, Alex is ready to represent employers in and outside of the courtroom.

 

When counseling an employer or litigating a dispute, Alex strives to make complex laws understandable. “Employment law is a challenging area of the law that needs to be very simple,” she says. “I got into this area of the law because it impacts so many people.”

 

She tailors her approach to each client’s needs. Some need assistance in ensuring compliance, while others may need to focus on understanding which employment laws apply to them. “I want not only to help people understand the law, but also to help people navigate it to get the outcome they want,” she says.

 

By the time she reached high school, Alex already knew her path led to law. “I always wanted to be a lawyer, and I always wanted to be in the courtroom,” she says.

 

Alex honed her plans for a litigation practice with a judicial externship at the Arizona Court of Appeals and a clerkship at the Iowa Supreme Court. “Working with judges in two different capacities helps me understand what judges find important,” she says. The experiences also gave her insights into an attorney’s impact. “What you say really matters as an attorney,” Alex says. “You actually can change a judge’s thinking. Their mind is not made up just because they’ve seen the issue before.”

 

Her commitment to helping people and being active in her community extends beyond her law practice. Intermittently, starting as an undergraduate, Alex served as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA). Trained volunteer advocates act on behalf of a child in the foster care system. “Your role is to be the eyes and ears of the court,” she says. “You report only to the judge. Your goal is to make sure the child’s needs are met and the child is taken care of.”

 

Alex, a Liberty, Missouri, native, still follows the Kansas City Chiefs. But Des Moines is home. She, her husband, and their dogs, Oliver and Calvin, revel in the opportunities in the city. “Both my husband and I love the community here,” she says. “We have so much fun. Everyone’s goal is to make Des Moines great for themselves, for their friends, and for their family.”

 

And that makes practicing law fun too. “The best part about being a lawyer in Des Moines is you meet so many people who are trying to do new things,” Alex says. “You have many community leaders striving to bring wonderfully talented individuals to Des Moines.”

Polk County Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)

  • Former Volunteer Advocate     

 

Arizona Legal Center

  • Former Volunteer

 

Arizonans for Children

  • Former Volunteer

“First Substantive Update to the Iowa Rules of Evidence,” February 2022 (co-presenter)

 

“Recent Developments in Employment Case Law,” September 2022

 

 “Feeback v. Swift Pork Co.—Providing Parity in Iowa Employment Law,” 83 The Iowa Lawyer 12, October 2023 (co-author)     

Arizona State Law Journal

  • Articles Editor

 

Dean’s Award Recipient

 

Order of the Coif

 

Teaching Assistant

  • Civil Procedure and Legal Advocacy

OVERVIEW

Alex Cutler hates being a cliché. But sometimes the truth can sound that way. “A lot of people say this, but it truly is accurate. The law is a helping profession,” Alex says. “There are so many ways I can help you. A lot of lawyers, including myself, are lawyers because that’s how they want to help people.”

 

In her Labor & Employment and Litigation practice, Alex searches for the ways she can be the most help to her clients. When disputes arise, including labor union issues, Alex is ready to represent employers in and outside of the courtroom.

 

When counseling an employer or litigating a dispute, Alex strives to make complex laws understandable. “Employment law is a challenging area of the law that needs to be very simple,” she says. “I got into this area of the law because it impacts so many people.”

 

She tailors her approach to each client’s needs. Some need assistance in ensuring compliance, while others may need to focus on understanding which employment laws apply to them. “I want not only to help people understand the law, but also to help people navigate it to get the outcome they want,” she says.

 

By the time she reached high school, Alex already knew her path led to law. “I always wanted to be a lawyer, and I always wanted to be in the courtroom,” she says.

 

Alex honed her plans for a litigation practice with a judicial externship at the Arizona Court of Appeals and a clerkship at the Iowa Supreme Court. “Working with judges in two different capacities helps me understand what judges find important,” she says. The experiences also gave her insights into an attorney’s impact. “What you say really matters as an attorney,” Alex says. “You actually can change a judge’s thinking. Their mind is not made up just because they’ve seen the issue before.”

 

Her commitment to helping people and being active in her community extends beyond her law practice. Intermittently, starting as an undergraduate, Alex served as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA). Trained volunteer advocates act on behalf of a child in the foster care system. “Your role is to be the eyes and ears of the court,” she says. “You report only to the judge. Your goal is to make sure the child’s needs are met and the child is taken care of.”

 

Alex, a Liberty, Missouri, native, still follows the Kansas City Chiefs. But Des Moines is home. She, her husband, and their dogs, Oliver and Calvin, revel in the opportunities in the city. “Both my husband and I love the community here,” she says. “We have so much fun. Everyone’s goal is to make Des Moines great for themselves, for their friends, and for their family.”

 

And that makes practicing law fun too. “The best part about being a lawyer in Des Moines is you meet so many people who are trying to do new things,” Alex says. “You have many community leaders striving to bring wonderfully talented individuals to Des Moines.”

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Polk County Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)

  • Former Volunteer Advocate     

 

Arizona Legal Center

  • Former Volunteer

 

Arizonans for Children

  • Former Volunteer

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

“First Substantive Update to the Iowa Rules of Evidence,” February 2022 (co-presenter)

 

“Recent Developments in Employment Case Law,” September 2022

 

 “Feeback v. Swift Pork Co.—Providing Parity in Iowa Employment Law,” 83 The Iowa Lawyer 12, October 2023 (co-author)     

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Arizona State Law Journal

  • Articles Editor

 

Dean’s Award Recipient

 

Order of the Coif

 

Teaching Assistant

  • Civil Procedure and Legal Advocacy