What sets this law firm apart

Mission Statement: The mission of this firm is to promote peace and justice through services as attorneys and counselors at law and as mediators, arbitrators and legal referees.

About Daniel Willems: Daniel graduated from University of Iowa College of Law in 1985. Prior to that, he served the community as a pastor and chaplain. He is active in his church as a youth leader and volunteer. Daniel and his wife, Denise, recently celebrated their 25^th anniversary. “My personal mission in life is to know and please God. My primary devotion is to my family, followed by service to my church and then service to the community through my profession.” Daniel has stated: “I view my career as an avenue of service. Times of conflict are defining moments in a person’s life. I serve my clients as an attorney, counselor at law and peacemaker. While am I concerned for my client’s rights and financial well-being, I am also concerned how the conflict will define their character and the person they become. Values are tested and developed in times of conflict. Human spirituality is a process of defining our values, priorities and mission/purpose in life. I can think of no greater ‘calling’ for a person’s life then to serve God’s purposes of peace and justice in this world.”

What is Conflict?: Conflict begins in the heart. In other words, conflict results from competing values, desires and goals. Just like physical symptoms signal us to pay attention to our bodies and to address an illness, conflict signals us to address spiritual needs in ourselves, our families, in an offender, or in a group or community.

Trust and communication are needed to resolve conflicts. Factual disputes are natural expressions of our humanness. We perceive and remember events differently. We attach different meanings to a communication. Valuation of objects, services and damages varies from person to person.

The Role of Law: Human law is the community’s attempt to resolve conflict by setting rules and standards of behavior and establishing procedures for resolution of disputes. People tend to be self-centered. Good Law is summarized in the “Golden Rule”--Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Good law curbs selfishness and promotes respect.

Attorney at Law; Counselor at Law; and Peacemaker: This law firm endeavors to serve clients in the roles of Attorney At Law, Counselor At Law, and Peacemaker.

Attorney at Law: Attorneys provide two basic functions. First, Attorneys are advisors. They analyze disputes, advise concerning applicable law, assess the risk of an adverse court determination of a client’s past or future actions, and develop strategies to reduce risk. Second, Attorneys are advocates. Attorneys protect and advance the interests of their clients. They convince judges and others of their clients’ positions using evidence and argument. The services of an attorney focus on money, government intervention, and rights.

Counselor at Law: The Counselor at Law helps the client consider their decisions in the context of the client’s values and life purpose. Counselors at Law are concerned with their client’s spiritual health and relationships. It is easy when facing conflict to lose sight of one’s priorities and values. Conflict can develop or damage a person’s character. A person’s values and priorities are tested and proven in conflict.

Just as the medical community now emphasizes holistic health, a Counselor at Law has a holistic approach. A Counselor at Law views conflict not as an individual event but rather a step along the path of personal growth.

Peacemaker: Peacemakers focus on conciliation and healing of relationships, when possible. While peacemakers help parties to a conflict resolve material issues they also seek to expose, understand and resolve the deeper conflicting values, motives and desires which produce the conflict.

The legal system uses an adversarial process to resolve disputes. It creates winners and losers. There are alternatives to the adversarial process. Mediation emphasizes open and honest communication. Instead of making winners and losers, parties explore solutions which can serve the interests of all parties.

In the role of a Peacemaker this firm offers services as mediators and arbitrators. While attorneys can only serve one side to a dispute, mediators and arbitrators serve both. Mediators and arbitrators are neutrals. They do not advocate for either side, but rather for peace.