AJ Skogerson Esq.

Collaborative Attorney, Mediator & Consultant

AJ is renowned for her genuine dedication to understanding and valuing the emotions and thoughts of everyone in her circle – including her family, friends, clients, and colleagues. This empathetic approach has nurtured numerous professional relationships into deep friendships, a testament to her commitment to those with whom she interacts.

Her life is a vibrant tapestry of activities; AJ thrives on engaging in creative projects, exploring new experiences and destinations with her husband, Erik, and giving back to her community through volunteer work with various charitable organizations. She is also known for her warmth in hosting gatherings, and her active involvement in professional groups and events aimed at fostering peace and inclusivity within the legal field.

AJ and Erik are blessed with three adult daughters – Megan, Jessica, and Erika-mychael, and their journey has been enriched by experiences of foster care, adoption, and step-parenting, roles that AJ holds dear as a “Bonus Mom.” Their family joy is further amplified by their three grandchildren, Audrey, Abel, and Eilish.

AJ and Erik share a profound affection for Erik’s home state of Idaho, a place that resonates deeply with their adventurous spirits and love for the outdoors. The couple cherishes the rugged beauty and tranquility of camping in the Idaho mountains, exploring the scenic landscapes on their RZR, and the peaceful solitude of fly fishing in pristine rivers. This passion for the mountain life is a cherished aspect of their lives, further enriched by the presence of two of their daughters who reside in Idaho. Although Amy is licensed to practice law in Idaho, she currently focuses her professional efforts in Iowa, yet this connection to the state remains an integral part of their family’s identity, symbolizing a bridge between their professional endeavors and personal passions.

A proud Adel native and resident, AJ cherishes her roots in this vibrant community, famous for the United Brick & Tile and the beloved Sweet Corn Festival. She holds a special connection to Van Meter as well, where she maintains an historic office building and honors her family legacy. Her practice blends her metropolitan expertise with the personal touch characteristic of small-town service.

AJ’s professional journey is shaped by her personal and professional experiences with divorce, infusing her family law practice with empathy and a holistic perspective. She prioritizes understanding the law and case specifics while addressing the emotional and financial toll legal matters can exact on individuals and families.

In recent years, AJ has intentionally chosen to maintain a limited caseload, redirecting her energy and expertise toward nurturing the continuous growth of The Law Shop. This strategic decision allows her to dedicate more time to supporting her team, ensuring that each member has the resources and support they need to deliver superior legal representation to the firm’s clients. AJ leverages her creativity and innovative thinking to spearhead community education initiatives about the benefits of unbundled legal services and other progressive practices. Her efforts are aimed at broadening access to justice, demonstrating a firm belief that effective legal support should be within reach for everyone. Through these endeavors, AJ not only enhances the firm’s operational excellence but also contributes significantly to the larger conversation about making quality legal services more accessible and adaptable to the diverse needs of the community.

PRESENT

Licensed in Iowa and Idaho
International Academy of Collaborative Professional – Board of Directors
Iowa Collaborative Divorce – Leadership Team
Jack D. Levine Family Law Inn of Court – Inaugural Member, Executive Committee
Polk County Bar Association – Mediation Training Team, Co-Program Designer
Southern Iowa Rural Water Association – General Counsel
Drake University Law School – Adjunct Professor of Mediation
Iowa Interactive Court Forms – Iowa Supreme Court Task Force
Iowa State Bar Association – Family & Juvenile Law Section Council
Association of Family & Conciliation Courts
Certified Domestic Relations Mediator
Dallas County Bar Association
Five Fires Foundation – Board of Directors, Board Secretary
Des Moines YMCA Camp – Advisory Board

PAST

Mediate.com – Online Mediation Training Advisory Board
Iowa State Bar Association – Family & Juvenile Law Section Chair, Rural Practice Committee Co-Chair
Drake University Law School – Adjunct Professor of Family Law
Iowa Law Firm Incubator – Board of Directors
Iowa Supreme Court Disciplinary Board – Grievance Commissioner
Iowa State Judicial Nominating Commission
Iowa Domestic Abuse Death Review Team
Iowa Association for Justice f/k/a Iowa Trial Lawyers Association – Board of Governors
Iowa Association of Mediators
District 5B Bar Association
Skogerson Law, PC – Founder + Attorney
Skogerson & Maxwell Leckband, PC – Co-Founder + Attorney
Jungmann & Skogerson, PC – Shareholder + Attorney
Emogine, Inc. d/b/a One Source Event Productions – Co-Owner
Van Meter Community Development Corporation – Vice President
Van Meter Public Safety – Advisory Council
Women in Aviation International, Heartland Chapter – Founding Member
Des Moines YMCA Camp – First Female Chair of Advisory Board, “Cruisin’ for Y Camp” motorcycle benefit ride host and sponsor, Adult Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Couple of the Year
YMCA of Greater Des Moines – Board of Directors
Licensed Foster and Adoptive Parent
Van Meter Community School District – Middle School Mock Trial Coach
Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Community School District – High School Assistant Cheer Coach
Chi Omega, Eta Beta Chapter, Iowa State University – President of House Corporation
Board, Pro Bono Legal Counsel
Wedding Officiant (many times over)

Amy Skogerson, Iowa Family Law Collaborative Attorney
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I am so happy I chose Amy to help me work through my divorce. She made this unknown process to me VERY manageable and “made it all happen” when I didn’t have a clue as to where to even begin. Amy has a warm and welcoming personality that made me feel really important, not just a paying client but a person who she truly had a big heart to help!! She wanted to hear my story and made sure to give me hugs when she knew I needed them! – Erica
“Amy has been a great volunteer for Y Camp, earning our Volunteer of the Year Award first in 2012 and then again with her husband Erik in 2014.  She will be Y Camp’s first female Board Chairperson, having already served as Vice Chairperson and Chair of the Property Committee.  She also organized a great community event fundraiser for camp.  Amy has been and continues to be one of our best volunteers, she truly cares about serving others!”  ~David Sherry, Executive Director, Des Moines YMCA Camp
"Not going to lie, my divorce was the worst time of my life. But through compassion, education, and immense knowledge of the law, Amy helped the process be as it could have been. She helped me understand my options and I chose with an educated view of both sides. The biggest benefits to using Amy and her firm are: 1. Compassion for both parties. They support and work for you, but will let you know what they’ve seen with their experiences in the field and the potential impacts to my decisions. Also compassion doesn’t equal pushover by any means. 2. Timeliness: Amy, Andrea, and others responded right away. My ex’s lawyer took a week for some answers. Given the entire process once I involved Amy took 10 weeks, I felt like I mattered and not just a number. Everyone’s divorce process and timelines may be different, but knowing I could TEXT or CALL multiple people and get a prompt response took stress away during a stressful time. 3. Knowledge: Been there, done that. Doesn’t influence either way, just educates and helps you make the choices. It was my divorce and knowing what Amy had seen in past cases helped me make some tough decisions. 4. Cost: Fair rates compared to the other rates I was quoted at the big Des Moines firms. If you don’t believe me, go and have a consultation with Amy, Andrea, or anyone else who is there as multiple people helped me through the process. You will see the reasons why they stand out vs the big firms." – Ty
"We contacted The Law Shop after a referral from a friend. We were looking for a slight modification. The Law Shop worked well for our needs, and we are very pleased. We will definitely call them again if needed." – Respectfully, Ryan & Mary
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