Douglas E. Gross

I am a member at the BrownWinick law firm. I take great pride in solving complex problems and helping lead organizations, which has allowed me to wear various hats. I strive to provide leadership and useful, practical guidance to my clients on any and all of their legal and business questions. Through this process, I apply skills honed through years of experience, including serving as Chief of Staff to Governor Terry Branstad and former Managing Partner at BrownWinick. I am and always have been dedicated to the state of Iowa and to using my time and talents in advancing the interests of its communities and residents. I believe good leaders lead by example, and I strive to do this in both my professional life and personal life. 

My Approach

I believe that any professional's job is to provide solutions, not just answers to discrete questions. I help clients articulate their goals in a broader context, so that we can create and execute a plan to achieve the desired results. Success nearly always requires a strong mix of business acumen, political instinct, and legal judgment, which I have been helping organizations achieve for decades. Whether you are negotiating a large merger or acquisition, facing down regulatory pressure, starting your new agribusiness venture, or expanding your hospital, this multi-dimensional approach is most likely to deliver the needed solution.    

More About Me

Before practicing law, I served as Chief of Staff to Governor Terry Branstad. Additionally, I held roles in the public sector including Director of Business and Finance at the Iowa State Board of Regents, Administrative Assistant to Governor Robert D. Ray, Director of Fuels Division of the Iowa Energy Policy Council, Chief Legislative Assistant and Campaign Co-Manager for Congressman Tom Tauke, Legislative Field Director for the Iowa Republican Party and Legislative Intern to the Iowa General Assembly. I have a strong interest in Iowa government and have political campaign experience which includes involvement in numerous successful gubernatorial, congressional, and state legislative campaigns. I also served as co-chair of President George W. Bush's finance effort in Iowa and Chairman of Governor Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

In 2002, I was the Republican nominee for Governor of Iowa.

I grew up in Defiance, Iowa, one of eight boys in a family of ten children. I learned very young the value of hard work, milking cows and putting up hay by hand. As a life-long resident in the state of Iowa, I have worked hard to promote and contribute to the state's growth and success.

I believe strongly in the power of family values, and when I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife, five grown children, and seven grandkids.  

I graduated with a B.A., summa cum laude, from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1977 and earned my J.D., with honors, from Drake University in 1985. I was a Lydia C. Roberts fellow at Columbia University's School of International Affairs. I was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1986.

I have been selected as a leader in Iowa for inclusion in Chambers USA® in the area of corporate / M&A since 2005. I was selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers® in America in the areas of Administrative/Regulatory Law, Gaming Law, Government Contracts and Government Relations and in 2012 I was named Best Lawyers' Lawyer of the Year in Government Relations. 

My Specialties

• Administrative Law
• Agribusiness
• Business & Corporate Law
• Business Transactions
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Food & Agribusiness
• Gaming
• Government & Regulatory
• Government Entities
• Health Care
• Health Plans
• Lobbying & Public Policy
• Telecommunications
• Utilities