About Patrick Smith

Patrick Smith practices primarily in employment law and litigation, representing employers in myriad types of employment disputes arising from terminations, discrimination claims, benefits decisions, wage and hour claims, and unfair labor practice charges.  He regularly appears in state and federal trial courts throughout Iowa, as well as before the Iowa Supreme Court, Iowa Court of Appeals, and United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit .  Patrick practices before administrative agencies with jurisdiction over employers, such as the EEOC, NLRB, and Iowa Civil Rights Commission, among others.  His clients have included local, national and international corporations, public entities such as municipalities and school districts, elected and appointed government officials, as well as individual executives and managers.

In addition to litigation, Patrick’s practice includes consulting with employers on legal compliance, drafting employment policies and handbooks, management training, internal investigations, litigation avoidance, union related issues, and risk management. He is a frequent lecturer on various employment law topics to human resource professionals and attorneys.

Patrick is a Shareholder in the law firm Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, P.C. in Des Moines, Iowa.  He and his wife Sue are the proud parents of seven children.

Professional Associations

  • Charter Fellow, Litigation Counsel of American (Trial Lawyer Honor Society)
  • American Bar Association (Member, section of Labor and Employment Law)
  • Iowa State Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute (Member, Employment Law Committee)
  • Iowa Defense Counsel Association

Education

  • Drake University, 1989
  • University of Iowa College of Law, 1993 (with high distinction)

Bar Admissions

  • Iowa, 1993
  • U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit