Benjamin R. Merrill

My expertise is in effective and practical, yet efficient, solutions. 

As a litigator, my approach with my clients is to understand what is important to them and their business, what is at stake in their case, and how I can use my experience and skills to best serve their goals. I am experienced in the areas of business litigation, insurance defense, medical malpractice, workers' compensation, employment and labor, construction and agribusiness law. Throughout my career, I have advised clients and litigated in not only several areas of law but also a wide variety of disputes among a diverse client base. One of my strengths as a lawyer is my ability to adapt my strategy and style depending on each client's needs and desired outcomes. I am straightforward with my clients, hard-working with my cases, and I am never afraid to advocate for their best interests. No matter what your case involves, I will be prepared, passionate and pragmatic in my approach. 

I am a member at BrownWinick and previously served as a leader in firm's Litigation practice group.  I practice primarily in the area of litigation, including work predominantly in the medical malpractice and insurance defense areas. I have also assisted clients in all levels of litigation, including federal, state, and administrative proceedings.  I have been involved in trial work for my entire legal career. As a litigator, I have helped to secure favorable rulings for clients in several substantive areas, including, but not limited to, personal injury, business contract disputes, product liability cases and family law. A large part of my practice is devoted to general insurance defense, medical malpractice defense and professional licensing issues. I also counsel employers regarding liability with respect to human resource policies, OSHA, unlawful discrimination and harassment, and other workplace issues that may arise. 

I am a member of the Polk County and Iowa State Bar Associations. I was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 2008. I am also licensed to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa, the United States Tax Court, as well as the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska. 

After growing up in the Des Moines area, I graduated from Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. I received my B.A. in Political Science, with Minors in French and Economics, in 2005. Prior to law school, I worked as an intern at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. in the Office of Justice Programs and Office of Communications. I received my J.D. in 2008, with honors, from Drake University Law School. During law school, I was Editor-in-Chief of the Drake Journal of Agriculture Law from 2007-2008 and an Editorial Staff Member from 2006-2007. I was active with the International Law Society, Environmental Law Society, and the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity. In the Spring of 2008, I was published in the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law for my article regarding federal regulation of animal feeding operations. Upon graduation from law school, I worked as a judicial law clerk for the Eighth Judicial District of Iowa.  I am also a graduate of the Ankeny Leadership Institute, Class of 2016-2017.

In 2022, I was selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers® 2023 in the area of Workers' Compensation Law (Employers). 

In my free time I like to golf, travel, and spend time at the family lake home in Maine.  I am a proud father of two beautiful children.