Ellen M. Hames

I am a member attorney at BrownWinick Law Firm and Co-Chair the firm's Corporate M&A practice group. My practice focuses on business transactional law, with an emphasis on M&A transactions, corporate governance, and environmental law. I enjoy the opportunity to assist clients with starting and expanding businesses, including everything from forming businesses, raising capital, acquiring new divisions, to buying and selling businesses.  I also enjoy assisting clients with more of the day-to-day business legal matters, including review and negotiation of contracts and assisting clients with understanding federal, state, or local environmental permitting regulations to ensure compliance. This allows clients to be able to focus on running their business.

My Approach

I give you practical advice and documents to guide you through any matter, whether you're facing negotiation of a contract, forming an entity and preparing appropriate governing documents, selling or buying a business, or assisting with review of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment when purchasing property. I communicate with clients, my colleagues and industry experts to provide sound guidance so that you may make complete and informed decisions.

More About Me

I grew up in Tokyo, Japan, so while I am Midwestern at heart, I view the world with a global mindset.  I graduated in 2008 from the University of Iowa (go Hawks!) with a B.A. in International Studies emphasizing in natural resources and the environment, and a minor in Japanese. In December 2015, I received a J.D., with high honors, from Drake University Law School. While at Drake University Law School I was a member of the Drake Law Review and served as Judicial Extern for Iowa Supreme Court Justice Daryl Hecht.  I was admitted to the Iowa bar in April 2016, and have been selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers since 2019. I have also been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers® - Ones to Watch in the area of Business Organizations, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Environmental Law. I currently serve on the Iowa State Bar Association's Environment & Natural Resources Section Council, and am a member of the Polk County Bar Association and Polk County Women Attorneys. 

I also enjoy being involved in my local community. I currently serve as an active member of and am on the Board of the Ankeny Business & Industry Collaboration, and am a graduate of the Ankeny Leadership Institute Class of 2017-2018. 

My Specialties

Business and Corporate

• Mergers & Acquisition Transactions
• Growth Capital/Start-Up
• Corporate Governance
• Contract Negotiation 

Environmental

• Federal and State Regulations
• CERCLA
• Clean Air Act
• Wastewater treatment
• Environmental compliance