CONCENTRATION
Courtney practices in the areas of public finance and tax law. She also has a practice in general business matters, including but not limited to, forming all types of business entities and preparation and review of contracts and policies. Within the Davis Brown Law Firm, Courtney currently serves as co-chair of the Tax Department.
SUMMARY
Courtney is a shareholder at Davis Brown and began in 2006 with tax and finance as her primary areas of practice. Since then, she has been very active in the public finance area and has been involved in most of Davis Brown Law Firm's public finance issues, with particular emphasis on the tax aspects of those financings.
In the last three years she has worked as either bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, or issuer's counsel on approximately $1.4 billion in general government bonds, $417 million in education bonds, and $48 million in economic development bonds. Courtney has represented a number of cities, hospitals, 501(c)(3)s, and state entities in obtaining public financing.
Courtney also has experience in dealing with state entities to obtain financing for private institutions. Since joining the firm she has also been involved in the formation of businesses of every size and tax level, including limited liability companies, S corporations, C corporations, and limited liability partnerships. She gives advice as to what type of business entity should be formed and has helped create renewable energy, health care, small business, and professional entities. Courtney has dealt with both personal and corporate tax cases in keeping accurate tax records and dealing with Federal and State agencies over various audit and collection issues. Her CPA authorization has allowed her to give companies cash flow and regulatory advice in managing their finances.
ACADEMICS
Courtney received her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2003 with an Accounting major and a Computer Information Systems minor. She graduated from Drake University Law School with high honors, receiving her J.D. in May 2006. She also received her M.B.A. from Drake's Graduate College of Business in May 2006. In addition, she has a Certified Public Accounting (C.P.A.) designation.
MEMBERSHIPS
· National Association of Bond Lawyers (NABL)
· American Bar Association, Section of Taxation and Young Lawyer's Forum
· Polk County Bar Association
· Polk County Women Attorneys
· Iowa State Bar Association, Section of Taxation
· Iowa Society of CPAs
COMMUNITY
· Board Member for the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Board of Governors, Treasurer-Elect
· Member of Iowa Advisory Council for Epilepsy Foundation of North/Central Illinois Iowa & Nebraska and also serving on a committee for the 2011 Iowa Walk for Epilepsy
· Committee member for the American Cancer Society's 2011 Coaches vs. Cancer Charity Golf Classic
· Head Junior Varsity and Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach at Urbandale High School
· Member of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Class of 2010
· Past Member of the American Cancer Society's Hoops for Hope Coaches versus Cancer Gala
· Past Member of the Iowa Society of CPA's Financial Literacy Task Force
· Past volunteer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, Habitat for Humanity and Youth Emergency Services & Shelter of Iowa (YESS
· Past Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
· Graduate of Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute class of 2010
· Volunteer Excellence Award, American Cancer Society Hoops for Hope Coaches versus Cancer
· Recognized for over 200 hours of pro bono time by Volunteer Lawyer's Project in 2008
· Passing the Certified Public Accountant's Exam and obtaining a CPA license
· Being involved in committees for various non-profit organizations that have helped to raise over half a million dollars for the Des Moines Community.
· Served as Managing Editor of the Drake Law Review.
RESOURCES
MY ACCOUNTANT TOLD ME I HAVE UNTIL APRIL 17TH TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN IRA, WHAT IS AN IRA?
04/02/2012 - An Individual Retirement Account (known as the IRA) is a way to start saving for retirement that.. .
I JUST STARTED A NEW BUSINESS, HOW DO I AVOID TAX TROUBLE?
03/14/2012 - So you've started a new business and hired an attorney to make sure that your business is.. .
COURTNEY STRUTT TODD NAMED TO GREATER DES MOINES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE'S BOARD OF GOVERNORS
08/18/2011 - Courtney Strutt Todd was recently named to the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute's.. .
SUMMARY OF THE TAX RELIEF, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE REAUTHORIZATION, AND JOB CREATION ACT OF 2010
12/23/2010 - Estate tax provisions in the 2010 Tax Relief Act Perhaps more than any other.. .
2010 SMALL BUSINESS JOBS ACT CHANGES TO CODE SECTION 179 EXPENSING
10/08/2010 - Generally, when a business purchases property which has a useful life of more than a year, the.. .
COURTNEY STRUTT TODD JOINS GREATER DES MOINES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE 2009-10 CLASS
10/28/2009 - Courtney Strutt Todd is a participant in the 2009-10 class of the Greater Des Moines Leadership.. .
MEMBERSHIPS
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
IOWA STATE BAR ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BOND LAWYERS
POLK COUNTY WOMEN ATTORNEYS