Richard O. McConville | Attorney at Law

Richard O. McConville

Phone: 515-453-1056
Email: rick@wdmlawyers.com

Rick is a native of Des Moines.  He attended St. Theresa’s Catholic Grade School and Dowling Catholic High School before attending undergraduate and law schools at Creighton University in Omaha.  Upon passing the bar in both Iowa and Nebraska in 1973, he started practicing in Creston.  He continued his practice there until 1980 when he returned to Des Moines, joining Larry Scalise and John Sandre and others in the firm of Scalise, Scism, Gentry, Brick & Brick.  Members of that firm later formed the firm of Scalise, Scism, Sandre, Uhl & McConville.

In May of 1993, he, along with Chuck Coppola and John Sandre, formed the present firm and practiced together until John’s death in 2006.  Chuck and Rick have continued to practice with the other firm members since that time.

During his over 45 years of practice, he has handled hundreds of trials, hearings and cases in Civil, Criminal and Appellate Courts throughout Iowa.

Rick and Mary Harrington McConville married in 1970.  They have five children and nine grandchildren.

In addition to his legal practice, Rick and his family have been involved in Church and youth activities and sports.  He coached youth baseball for over 25 years and parochial football league for 15 years.  He was a member of the West Des Moines Little League and Holiday Park Baseball Club Boards of Directors for 10 years.  He was a member of the Greater Des Moines Catholic Football League Board of Directors for 15 years, serving as President for two years.  He is a member of the Dowling Club and various sports boosters' groups.

He was a member of the St. Theresa’s Catholic School Board of Education for six years (two as President) and the Dowling Catholic High School Board of Directors for 10 years, serving as Secretary and Vice-President.  He also enjoys sports, history, genealogy, reading and family activities.

Rick was admitted to the state bars in both Iowa and Nebraska in 1973 and had practiced law in Iowa since that time.  He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa.

Year Joined Firm

  • 1993 - the initial organization

Areas of Practice

  • General Practice, Litigation and Appeals – Civil and Criminal
  • Personal Injury car collisions and Personal Injury accidents
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Criminal Defense
  • Workers’ Compensation
  • Business Litigation
  • Contract Litigation
  • Probate Litigation – Will Contests and Disputes
  • Partnership Disputes
  • Agricultural Litigation
  • Real Estate Litigation and Disputes
  • Family Law Custody

Bar Admissions

  • Iowa, 1973
  • Nebraska, 1973
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 1973
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 1981
  • U.S. District Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1978
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1979

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell "AV" Peer Rated Attorney since 1979.  "AV" is the highest possible Rating of Legal Ability and Ethical Standards awarded.
  • Fellow – Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers

Education

  • Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska
    J.D. – 1973
  • Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska

Representative Cases

Dispute

Felt and Kern v. Felt Farms, LLC and Felt, 928 N.W.2d 882 (Ia. Ct. App. 2019 WL 2372321) – Tried a family LLC, secured a favorable reversal for clients with real estate and property valued in excess of $2,000,000.

Beganovic v. Muxfeldt, 775 N.W.2d 313 (Iowa 2009) – Upheld a $1 million personal injury verdict awarded our clients by the jury in the trial level.  Defining Iowa law on liability of owners for the negligence of drivers their vehicle.

Sanders v. Ghrist, 421 N.W.2d 520 (Iowa 1988) – Secured reversal of adverse Court ruling on jury instructions regarding lost chance of death and new trial for clients.

Matter of Estate of Graham v. Richardson, 690 N.W.2d 66 (Iowa 2004) – Secured reversal of adverse District Court Ruling on probate matter involving mutual wills and securing resolution in favor of clients.

Longfellow v. Sayler, 737 N.W.2d 148 (Iowa 2007) – Secured reversal of adverse District Court ruling against client on Iowa fencing law matter, confirming prior written fencing agreement and client's position on fencing issue.

State v. Christian, 2003 IA 341 (Ia. Ct. App. 2003)

City of Osceola v. Clarke County Board of Review, 490 N.W.2d 539 (Iowa 1992) – Secured reversal of adverse District Court Ruling against the City of Osceola on Municipal Property Tax Exemption issue.

Crees v. Chiles, 437 N.W.2d 249 (Ia. Ct. App. 1988) – Secured reversal of adverse District Court summary judgment in a matter involving co-employee gross negligence in workers' compensation matters resulting in favorable resolution for client.

Kirsten Anderson v. Iowa State Senate, et al. 437 N.W.2d 249 (Iowa Ct. App. 1988) – Co-counsel in a Polk County jury trial for sexual harassment and retaliations against an employee in the amount over $2 million dollars and eventually settled for $1.75 million. 

References

  • Iowa State Bank, Des Moines
  • West Bank, West Des Moines

Past Employment Positions

  • Mullin, Mullin, McLaughlin, Harvey & McConville, Associate and Partner, 1973-1980
  • Scalise, Scism, et al., 1980-1992

Pro Bono Activities

  • Dowling High School Board of Education, 1991-2001
  • West Des Moines Little League Board of Directors, 1980-1990
  • Knights of Columbus – 4th Degree

Fraternities/Sororities

  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon
  • Iota Kappa Epsilon