Newkirk Zwagerman, P.L.C. is a dedicated employment and civil rights law firm based in Des Moines, specializing in representing employees, workers, and students who have faced discrimination, harassment, or unfair treatment in the workplace. Founded in 2009, the firm stands out for its aggressive, employee-only advocacy and its focus on achieving fairness, equity, and accountability for clients facing powerful corporate or public entities.
The firm takes a personalized, client-centered approach, leveraging decades of combined experience to handle cases from negotiation through trial. Led by attorneys Jill Zwagerman, Tom Newkirk, and Leonard Bates, the team is deeply invested in each client’s outcome, offering free case evaluations and robust legal support tailored to individuals who have experienced wrongful termination, retaliation, or civil rights violations. Their practice is driven by a mission to empower those who cannot stand up to employers alone.
Services Offered
- Employment law
- Labor relations
- Harassment claims (including sexual, racial, and sexual orientation harassment)
- Employer retaliation
- EEOC claims
- Executive employment disputes
- Discrimination (age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, religious, pregnancy)
- Hostile work environment
- Sports coaching/Title IX actions
- Equal pay law
- Civil rights litigation
- Severance agreement negotiation
- AI employment law
- Disability accommodations and FMLA claims
- Implicit bias education and training
The firm is licensed to practice in Iowa and Minnesota, serving clients in both states and handling matters involving private employers, public institutions, and federal government employment. They offer services in English and provide virtual and in-person consultations to accommodate client needs.
