team-member

Debra Clark

N/A

N/A

Law Degree

Awards

Primary Practice Area

Child custody

Language

English

About

Married for 25 years and the mother of two boys and one girl, when I am not interacting with clients, attorneys and judges, with whom I have developed lasting professional relationships, I am often hoping for a strike at the bowling alley or cheering for my kid’s baseball teams. A sports memorabilia collector, a passion I share with my husband, I have met and received autographs from baseball greats Ted Williams, George Brett, Steve Garvey and Catfish Hunter, among countless others. An avid traveler, I have enjoyed trips to San Diego, New Orleans, the Grand Canyon, Bahamas and many other destinations. The best trip to date was our recent family vacation to Disney World. When my family visits amusement parks—a favorite pastime—we make a beeline for the rollercoasters. I enjoy movie marathons. My favorite films include Raiders of the Lost Ark, Silence of the Lambs, The Sound of Music and Forrest Gump.Hailing from a small town south of Des Moines, complete with one traffic light, a grocery store and laundromat, my family law practice mirrors my homegrown upbringing—family and community come first. My father was a truck driver and my mother was a homemaker who instilled in me a strong work ethic. I was the first college graduate in my family. My personal motto is: treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. My husband and I were licensed pre-adoptive foster parents for seven years.In 1993, after graduating law school, I began my family law practice. My philosophy is direct: every client deserves legal representation that is equal parts compassion and straightforwardness. I always ensures that my client’s needs are heard and respected. Often called a financial bean counter by colleagues due to my thoroughness, I am a sole practitioner, which means my clients only work with me. I view my family law practice as a facilitator allowing families to begin the healing process. I provide special counsel for divorcing parents to ensure that their children are not adversely affected by the separation/divorce process.Trained as a Family Law Mediator (2004) and currently a mediator for the Polk County District Court Mediation Program, I understand that clients come to my office during times of emotional turmoil. A firm supporter of Collaborative Law, my goal is to help client's reach resolution without going to court. I always provide an empathetic, accurate assessment of the facts to ensure each client arrives at the best possible solution.Receiving my undergraduate degree from Grand View College in Des Moines in 1988, I graduated Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas in 1992. I have been a member of the Iowa State Bar Association since 1993. Additionally, I was the co-editor of the Family Law Newsletter for the Iowa State Bar Association from (1997 to 2002) and was appointed to service as a member of the ISBA Board of Govenors in 2013.  I have also been active in the PCBA Family Law committee and am serving my second term as co-chair of the PCBA Solo and Small Practice Committee.  I am also a member of the Polk County Women Attorney's Association and the Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys. 

Practices Areas

Child custody

Child support

Divorce and separation

Family

Language

English

Contact

Hockett-Clark Law Firm5550 Wild Rose Ln Ste 4010West Des Moines, IA, 50266-5304

Office: N/A

Website: N/A

Reviews

Julie
January 31, 2018

I was given Debra Hockett Clark's name as their top recommendation from a local Des Moines attorney of a different discipline. Debra and I worked together through my very lengthy and ugly divorce that ultimately went to court. To do over again, I would not change a thing and am incredible thankful I had Debra by my side every step of the way. Debra has very high ethics, is extremely organized and always on top of every last detail that both she and I needed to be doing. She is extremely professional and is highly respected by her competition, the court system and their staff. This was very evident to me as we went through the trial process and the interaction others had with her. Unlike many divorce attorneys, Debra does exactly what is needed and the very best for the client, as not to incur extra charges or expenses. She is extremely knowledgeable and always educated me/gave insight on her recommendations of approach and strategy with what we were doing. She is always very well prepared and was a relentless advocate for me and my situation. I have since recommended her to every friend, acquaintance and client who is in need of someone who is very aggressive, yet professional and does the right thing all of the time. I highly recommend Debra and would use her without a doubt, should I have that need in the future.

anonymous
January 11, 2018

Debra is a very knowledgeable divorce and child custody lawyer. One of the main reasons I think she is a great lawyer is because she tells it like it is. I didn’t always like what she told me to do but I did it. My situation might be different from most. I was a father of 4 and had primary custody of my children. My ex-wife, after I had remarried and moved on, started calling DHS routinely on us. Debra always handled all of these complaints directly. My ex-wife would take us back to court yearly for unfounded complaints. After the 3rd time Debra had added to my decree if petitioner files and looses the case they will be responsible for all court and lawyer fees. This helped keep me out because The court had always ruled against her. The last instance the court awarded me all of my legal fees because none of my ex-wife’s allegations were proven. this stopped all further court cases. If I was doing something Debra though would negatively effect me she told me to stop. She is an upfront and honest lawyer. She tells you how it is whether you like it or not.

Kim
January 10, 2018

Debra was great! She was always quick to get back with me on my questions and concerns. She always explained everything in full detail.

Julie
January 31, 2018

I was given Debra Hockett Clark's name as their top recommendation from a local Des Moines attorney of a different discipline. Debra and I worked together through my very lengthy and ugly divorce that ultimately went to court. To do over again, I would not change a thing and am incredible thankful I had Debra by my side every step of the way. Debra has very high ethics, is extremely organized and always on top of every last detail that both she and I needed to be doing. She is extremely professional and is highly respected by her competition, the court system and their staff. This was very evident to me as we went through the trial process and the interaction others had with her. Unlike many divorce attorneys, Debra does exactly what is needed and the very best for the client, as not to incur extra charges or expenses. She is extremely knowledgeable and always educated me/gave insight on her recommendations of approach and strategy with what we were doing. She is always very well prepared and was a relentless advocate for me and my situation. I have since recommended her to every friend, acquaintance and client who is in need of someone who is very aggressive, yet professional and does the right thing all of the time. I highly recommend Debra and would use her without a doubt, should I have that need in the future.

anonymous
January 11, 2018

Debra is a very knowledgeable divorce and child custody lawyer. One of the main reasons I think she is a great lawyer is because she tells it like it is. I didn’t always like what she told me to do but I did it. My situation might be different from most. I was a father of 4 and had primary custody of my children. My ex-wife, after I had remarried and moved on, started calling DHS routinely on us. Debra always handled all of these complaints directly. My ex-wife would take us back to court yearly for unfounded complaints. After the 3rd time Debra had added to my decree if petitioner files and looses the case they will be responsible for all court and lawyer fees. This helped keep me out because The court had always ruled against her. The last instance the court awarded me all of my legal fees because none of my ex-wife’s allegations were proven. this stopped all further court cases. If I was doing something Debra though would negatively effect me she told me to stop. She is an upfront and honest lawyer. She tells you how it is whether you like it or not.

Kim
January 10, 2018

Debra was great! She was always quick to get back with me on my questions and concerns. She always explained everything in full detail.

Julie
January 31, 2018

I was given Debra Hockett Clark's name as their top recommendation from a local Des Moines attorney of a different discipline. Debra and I worked together through my very lengthy and ugly divorce that ultimately went to court. To do over again, I would not change a thing and am incredible thankful I had Debra by my side every step of the way. Debra has very high ethics, is extremely organized and always on top of every last detail that both she and I needed to be doing. She is extremely professional and is highly respected by her competition, the court system and their staff. This was very evident to me as we went through the trial process and the interaction others had with her. Unlike many divorce attorneys, Debra does exactly what is needed and the very best for the client, as not to incur extra charges or expenses. She is extremely knowledgeable and always educated me/gave insight on her recommendations of approach and strategy with what we were doing. She is always very well prepared and was a relentless advocate for me and my situation. I have since recommended her to every friend, acquaintance and client who is in need of someone who is very aggressive, yet professional and does the right thing all of the time. I highly recommend Debra and would use her without a doubt, should I have that need in the future.

anonymous
January 11, 2018

Debra is a very knowledgeable divorce and child custody lawyer. One of the main reasons I think she is a great lawyer is because she tells it like it is. I didn’t always like what she told me to do but I did it. My situation might be different from most. I was a father of 4 and had primary custody of my children. My ex-wife, after I had remarried and moved on, started calling DHS routinely on us. Debra always handled all of these complaints directly. My ex-wife would take us back to court yearly for unfounded complaints. After the 3rd time Debra had added to my decree if petitioner files and looses the case they will be responsible for all court and lawyer fees. This helped keep me out because The court had always ruled against her. The last instance the court awarded me all of my legal fees because none of my ex-wife’s allegations were proven. this stopped all further court cases. If I was doing something Debra though would negatively effect me she told me to stop. She is an upfront and honest lawyer. She tells you how it is whether you like it or not.

Kim
January 10, 2018

Debra was great! She was always quick to get back with me on my questions and concerns. She always explained everything in full detail.