Madison
Rush

“I want my clients to think of me as someone who helps them, solves their problems, and achieves their goals.”

“I really want to be in the room where it happens and working at the trial level,” Madison Rush says.

 

In her civil litigation practice, Madison handles disputes in wide-ranging matters, including employment issues, commercial leases, contracts, and appellate cases.

 

“I like working with and serving clients,” Madison says. “Clients can come to me when they have a problem, and I can help solve it and guide them through a complicated process.”

 

Because every case, client, and situation is different, Madison relishes the chance to learn. “You get to learn about a whole new fact pattern,” she says. “I’ve always liked problem-solving.”

 

Madison considered an academic career. But the law spoke to her. “I wanted to be more people-focused or client-focused and have direct results,” she says. “In an academic setting, it’s a little more abstract about your work product. After I met more attorneys, I understood there are so many different things you can do with a law degree.”

 

Before starting law school, Madison worked for Iowa Legal Aid during an AmeriCorps placement. “It was foundational for me,” she says. “I’m the first attorney in my family, and that was my first foray into the legal world.”

 

Madison’s interactions taught her that sometimes a client isn’t looking for a judgment in the way you expect. “I learned to look at a client’s needs beyond the paper,” she says. “What do they actually want and what can we do to help serve them in that way?”

 

Her Iowa Legal Aid experience also allowed her to observe other attorneys’ approaches. “I saw how different people use their individual styles to apply different persuasive techniques,” Madison says.

 

As a law clerk at the Iowa Court of Appeals, Madison solidified her plan to practice litigation. “At the Court of Appeals, you review all the documents for all kinds of cases,” she says. “I enjoy being a litigator because you get to learn new things every day.”

 

As an undergraduate, Madison’s focus was international relations and, specifically, transnational law. It also shaped her legal approach. “I think about not only our immediate need, but also, overall, what is this action going to do?” Madison says. “How are our actions in this one matter going to impact the rest of the case?”

 

Honing decisions also came into play at her fellowship at the consumer protection unit at the Delaware attorney general’s office. “We did cases involving mom-and-pop shops all the way up to billionaire corporations,” Madison says. “At a state agency, they’re working with limited time, limited budget, and trying to do the best they can to serve the people.”

 

Madison learned the importance of focusing on the client’s goal. “I try to figure out what path to choose to get to the surest and most effective outcome for my client,” she says.

Iowa State Bar Association

 

Polk County Bar Association

 

American Bar Association

Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence: Criminal Procedure: Investigation, University of Iowa College of Law

 

Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems Journal

Editor in Chief

OVERVIEW

“I really want to be in the room where it happens and working at the trial level,” Madison Rush says.

 

In her civil litigation practice, Madison handles disputes in wide-ranging matters, including employment issues, commercial leases, contracts, and appellate cases.

 

“I like working with and serving clients,” Madison says. “Clients can come to me when they have a problem, and I can help solve it and guide them through a complicated process.”

 

Because every case, client, and situation is different, Madison relishes the chance to learn. “You get to learn about a whole new fact pattern,” she says. “I’ve always liked problem-solving.”

 

Madison considered an academic career. But the law spoke to her. “I wanted to be more people-focused or client-focused and have direct results,” she says. “In an academic setting, it’s a little more abstract about your work product. After I met more attorneys, I understood there are so many different things you can do with a law degree.”

 

Before starting law school, Madison worked for Iowa Legal Aid during an AmeriCorps placement. “It was foundational for me,” she says. “I’m the first attorney in my family, and that was my first foray into the legal world.”

 

Madison’s interactions taught her that sometimes a client isn’t looking for a judgment in the way you expect. “I learned to look at a client’s needs beyond the paper,” she says. “What do they actually want and what can we do to help serve them in that way?”

 

Her Iowa Legal Aid experience also allowed her to observe other attorneys’ approaches. “I saw how different people use their individual styles to apply different persuasive techniques,” Madison says.

 

As a law clerk at the Iowa Court of Appeals, Madison solidified her plan to practice litigation. “At the Court of Appeals, you review all the documents for all kinds of cases,” she says. “I enjoy being a litigator because you get to learn new things every day.”

 

As an undergraduate, Madison’s focus was international relations and, specifically, transnational law. It also shaped her legal approach. “I think about not only our immediate need, but also, overall, what is this action going to do?” Madison says. “How are our actions in this one matter going to impact the rest of the case?”

 

Honing decisions also came into play at her fellowship at the consumer protection unit at the Delaware attorney general’s office. “We did cases involving mom-and-pop shops all the way up to billionaire corporations,” Madison says. “At a state agency, they’re working with limited time, limited budget, and trying to do the best they can to serve the people.”

 

Madison learned the importance of focusing on the client’s goal. “I try to figure out what path to choose to get to the surest and most effective outcome for my client,” she says.

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

Iowa State Bar Association

 

Polk County Bar Association

 

American Bar Association

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence: Criminal Procedure: Investigation, University of Iowa College of Law

 

Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems Journal

Editor in Chief