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L. Craig Nierman

Phelan Tucker Law Iowa Team Craig Nierman

L. Craig Nierman

319.354.1104

319.354.6962 f

nierman@phelantuckerlaw.com


Tammy Swart, Legal Assistant

swart@phelantuckerlaw.com

Craig Nierman helps attorneys and their clients win through mediation and arbitration without bias or “number carrying.”

Experience

An “AV” rated, 25-year litigation veteran, Craig has substantial experience on both sides of the “v” through jury and bench trials, injunctive relief, arbitrations, and appeals. Clients have included:

  • Individuals, businesses, and carriers in insurance cases including first party (e.g., health, property, life, “no fault,” etc.), third party (e.g., wrongful death, professional negligence, property, injury, etc.), extracontractual damages, agent/broker errors and omissions, and subrogation claims.
  • Businesses, non-profits, people, and government agencies in a variety of commercial tort, contract, employment, banking, debt, corporate governance, and acquisition matters, as well as real estate development, sale, and leasing issues; and
  • Patients, insurers, public and private hospitals, and other providers in healthcare cases such as professional and products liability claims, reimbursement and revenue cycle issues (e.g., payer contracting as well as questions of experimental treatment and medical necessity), primary and secondary payor conflicts, and HIPAA compliance.

Mediation

Craig walks in understanding the case’s unique contours and applying them to his decades of trial experience.

He is not a “number carrier” or bully. Instead, he knows the verdicts and law, gives frank feedback, and lets the parties evaluate their risks.

Craig’s credibility, established through helping both plaintiffs and defendants, enables him to connect in all rooms. Clients feel heard as he listens to their story and perspective. He persists—for months if necessary—to get the deal done.

Arbitration

Arbitration should be faster, less expensive, and at least as fair as trial. However, too often, it turns out to be a drawn-out process involving escalating arbitrator fees and murky awards.

Craig’s focus is on remembering that he works for the parties (not the other way around).

His cross-party expertise in insurance, business, torts, and healthcare law enables him to fairly identify the salient issues. His decisions are well-reasoned and based solely on the evidence and law.

Recommendations

What people are saying:

  • Nierman does an extraordinary job…Based off of my experience with working with Mr. Nierman during these mediations, he is right up there with the best of the best.
    – J.D., Illinois Attorney
  • He does not quit. One of the best I have ever worked with.
    – M.M., Iowa Litigant
  • Craig went above and beyond to shepherd the parties to a resolution and early settlement in this case. When the parties stalled out several hours into the scheduled mediation, he did not give up and continued to mediate between the parties separately until we got it done.
    – J.G., Florida Attorney

Personal

Craig married his high school sweetheart; they have two adult children and a grandchild. He values time with his family and friends, learning new things, and adventuring, especially kayaking.

No-Fee Consultation

To schedule a no-fee consultation with Craig about a mediation or negotiation issue, click here.

 

Date and Place of Admission to State Bar and Federal Courts

  • United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 2001
  • United States District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa, 1999
  • Iowa Supreme Court, 1999

Education

  • Harvard Law School, Negotiation Master Class, 2024
  • University of Iowa, J.D. (with High Distinction), 1999
  • University of California, Davis, B.A., 1990

Memberships in Bar and Professional Associations

  • American Academy of ADR Attorneys – President, Board Certified Mediator
  • American Arbitration Association – Mediator and Arbitrator
  • American Bar Association – Sections: Business Law, Dispute Resolution, Health Law, Litigation, as well as Tort, Trial, and Insurance Practice
  • Eighth Circuit Bar Association
  • Iowa State Bar Association – Sections: Alternative Dispute Resolution (Chair), Business Law, Federal Practice, Health Law, Labor and Employment Law, and Litigation
  • Order of the Coif

Teachings, Presentations, and Publications

  • Adjunct Professor, University of Iowa, College of Law – Insurance Law
  • Comprehensive Business Law, 3rd ed., 2022, Co-author
  • “Arbitration of Iowa Insurance Claims,” Iowa Lawyer, 2023
  • “Virtually as Good? Psychological, practical, and performance issues in online mediation,” Iowa Lawyer, 2023.

Peer Reviews

  • Martindale-Hubbell: Preeminent
  • Avvo: Superb