Ainsworth Estate Planning Lawyers

Holding a license to practice law is a privilege that I deeply value and am honored to uphold the responsibilities it entails. The relationships I have cultivated with clients, attorneys, financial experts, realtors, technology professionals, insurance agents, courthouse employees, and others reinforce daily that despite our differences, we share commonalities and ways to connect. I diligently explore all alternatives with my clients, aiming to provide practical advice and solutions that meet their current needs and situations.

A northeast Iowa native, Thad grew up on a small farm on the outskirts of West Union, Iowa. After graduating from the University of Iowa College of law, he practiced for three years in Davenport, Iowa and has practiced since 2003 in Dubuque, Iowa. He has also maintained an office in Davenport since 2007. Currently practicing out of the Pioneer Law branch in Dubuque, Thad focuses on estate planning, elder law, Social Security disability and veterans disability. When not spending time with his wife and two daughters, Thad enjoys speaking with other attorneys and professional groups. In the past Thad...

Chad grew up in Ames, Iowa. Prior to his career as an attorney, Chad was a minister for 10 years in local churches and denominational administration. Chad lives in West Des Moines with his wife, Sarah, and two boys, Walker and Max. Chad’s practice focuses on elder law, estate planning, and non-profit/charitable organizations. He is a licensed mediator for elder law matters. He has provided quality representation to a spectrum of clients including individuals, families, charities, municipalities and professional sports teams. Along with his work as an attorney, Chad routinely speaks at churches and other charitable organizations across the country...

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (top 1%) Past President, Iowa State Bar Association Past President, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers (250) Past V.P., Iowa Association for Justice (f.k.a. Iowa Trial Lawyers) Founding Board of Directors, American Academy of ADR Attorneys Past Chair, Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission Past Member, Iowa Supreme Court Nominating Commission Top Great Plains SuperLawyers (top 5%) Board of Directors, Iowa Defense Counsel Association Board of Directors, Iowa Law School Foundation AVVO rating 10/10

Attorney Colby M. Lessmann was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, and is a graduate of Sioux City North High School. Colby graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Business (B.S., 1996) and School of Law (J.D., 1999). During his law school education, he published a casenote in the South Dakota Law Review (1998) and was both the Managing Editor and the Production Editor for Volume 44 of the South Dakota Law Review (1998-1999). After graduating from Law School, Colby clerked for Justice Robert Amundson of the South Dakota Supreme Court in Pierre, South Dakota. In August...

Brad Biren is an elder law and estate planning attorney with specialized training in tax law. He is passionate about crisis Medicaid planning, special needs planning, and reducing tax liability. Much of his work also focuses on business and land-use consulting for startups, early ventures, and agriculture. Born in New York, Brad attended Cornell University for his undergraduate degrees in both landscape architecture and plant sciences. In 2006, he became the youngest person in the state of Florida to obtain LEED Accreditation. Mr. Biren moved to Iowa to attend the University of Iowa College of...

Jefferson Fink, the founder of The Law Office of Jefferson Fink, is a legal professional with years of experience in the Capitol and in front of the Courts. His academic experience started as a Senate Page, then later at Iowa State as a Senate intern, which allowed him to gain valuable insight into the legislative process. Jefferson's dedication to his education is evident in his simultaneous pursuit of a Master of Arts in Political Science from Iowa State University, writing his thesis - Law, Politics, and the Creation of Public Policy: How the Two Can Come Together and Create Better...

Attorney Dean Fankhauser was raised in Chadron, Nebraska and is the son of former business owners who still reside in Chadron today. After graduating from Chadron State College, Dean studied at The University of South Dakota School of Law and graduated in 2014 with a Juris Doctor. While in law school, Dean had many great experiences, including advancing to the Elite 8 of the Sam Masten Appellate Advocacy Competition and completing an internship at the Federal Public Defender’s office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dean moved to the Siouxland Community after law school and shortly began working as an associate attorney....

Attorney Deborah J. Morris was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa. She attended college at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa where she graduated summa cum laude earning dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Business and Accounting. Deborah graduated With High Honor from the South Dakota School of Law in 2016 and began working in the field of family law. Deborah opened her own firm in 2019 offering both full and limited scope services in family law, as well as estate planning and business formations services. Deborah joined the law firm of Tigges, Bottaro & Lessmann, LLP in January...