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Deborah Cook
Attorney, Mediator, and Arbitrator
Deborah J. Cook Law Firm

84 Ridgeview Road
Sioux City, IA 51104
Phone: 712-204-3926
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My practice is devoted to helping people in conflict take control of the resolution of their issues without further litigation, for who knows more about their circumstances and what willl work in their futures than the parties themselves?  In mediation, I assist the parties to bridge their gaps and to negotiate practical solutions that will provide long-term resolutions.  We can use facilitative, transformative, or caucus mediation, and I will work with attorneys or participants to determine which method might fit their situation best.  I am always open to creatively utilizing other ADR methods, instead of, as part of, or after mediation to finalize a settlement.

Experience

My experience includes over three decades in private practice and as general counsel for a major insurance company, working with a wide variety of legal issues.  I have represented both plaintiffs and defendents and have been involved in setting policy and in complicated and simple litigation and ADR, on both sides of wrongful death, bad faith, class action, personal injury, multiparty, workers' compensation, employment, benefit, contract, licensing, corporate, civil rights, real estate, and family/divorce cases.  My community involvement has kept me in touch with school, government, and community issues.

Degrees

BS in Mathematics, University of Nebraska

JD with Honors, Drake University Law School

Certified Property & Casualty Underwriter & numerous other designations, American Insurance Institute

Mediation Training

International Academy of Dispute Resolution Training, Richard Calkins

Introduction to Mediation, Iowa Mediation Service

Divorce and Custody Mediation Training, Sovern Mediation

Mediation & Domestic Abuse Implications Training, Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa

Practice Areas
  • Child Welfare
  • Civil
  • Civil Rights
  • Community
  • EEOC/Postal Service
  • Elder
  • Family/Divorce
  • Farmer/Creditor
  • General
  • Mortgage Foreclosure
  • Organizational
  • Personal Injury
  • Public Policy
  • Real Estate
  • School Based
  • Small Claims
  • Truancy
  • Victim-Offender
  • Workplace