Mark Dickinson is a member of the firm's Business, Finance, and Real EstateDepartment, and practices in the area of corporate and transactional law, with an emphasis on securities and corporate finance, insurance regulatory matters, mergers and acquisitions involving all sizes of businesses, corporate governance matters, and franchising. Mark graduated from Grinnell College and received his law degree with distinction from the College of Law at the University of Iowa. He has been a frequent speaker on topics of corporate, franchising, and securities law. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a law clerk to Judge Harvey Uhlenhopp of the Iowa Supreme Court. During law school, he served as the Executive Editor of the Journal of Corporation Law and was the author of two published articles.
Significant Representations
General representation of a publicly-held insurance holding company in connection with securities and corporate governance matters, including lead counsel in $100 million public offering of common stock.
General representation of mutual insurance holding company system in connection with general corporate and regulatory matters, including lead counsel in connection with acquisition of a mutual life insurance company.
General representation of publicly-held bank holding company in connection with securities and corporate governance matters.
Iowa counsel for merger of two Iowa mutual life insurance companies.
Representation of investment affiliate of life insurance companies in connection with numerous private placements and private equity investments.
Representation of foreign purchaser in connection with acquisition of assets of local manufacturing company.
General representation of agricultural development company in connection with securities and general corporate matters, including private placements of debt and equity securities and bond financings.
Representation of mutual life insurance company in connection with mutual insurance holding company reorganization.
Speeches & Publications
Overview of Securities Laws, Iowa Business Law Practice Manual (Iowa State Bar Association 2d ed. 2005).
Third Party Legal Opinions, Iowa Business Law Practice Manual (Iowa State Bar Association 2d ed. 2005) (Co-Author).
Mark is also a frequent speaker on securities law and corporate governance matters.
Community Involvement
Member, Community and Economic Development Focus Group, Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Federation, 1995-1998
Board of Directors, Des Moines Child and Adolescent Guidance Center, 1988-1994
President/Vice President/Secretary, Des Moines Child and Adolescent Guidance Center, 1991-1994
Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, Class of 1992-1993
Special Recognition
The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law and Franchise Law, 2005-2012
Chambers USA - Corporate/M&A, 2004-2011
Great Plains Super Lawyers, Securities & Corporate Finance, 2009-2012
Martindale-Hubbell Rating
AV® Preeminent
Academic Achievements
Executive Editor, Journal of Corporation Law, 1980-1981
Associations & Affiliations
American Bar Association
Business Law Section
Franchise Law Forum
Iowa State Bar Association
Business Law Section Council, 2002-2005
Trade Regulation Section Council, 1994-1997
Drafting Committee, Iowa Uniform Securities Act, 2004
Securities Regulation Committee Chair, 1993-1995
Polk County Bar Association
Professional Experience
Adjunct Professor, Securities Regulation, Drake University Law School, 1989
Law Clerk, Justice Harvey Uhlenhopp, Iowa Supreme Court, 1981-1982
Listed in Best Lawyers® Linking Lawyers and Clients Worldwide