Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Spencer, Iowa
Established in 1891, Cornwall Avery Bjornstad & Scott combines over 261 years of collective legal experience with a client-centered approach. Our attorneys specialize in diverse areas including personal injury, business litigation, real estate, trusts and estates, workers compensation, and social security disability. We prioritize understanding client goals, providing transparent risk assessments, and delivering tailored legal strategies. With roots tracing back to W.W.Cornwall's practice, our firm maintains a legacy of excellence in Spencer, Iowa. Our team of seasoned attorneys brings decades of expertise in both litigation and transactional matters, serving individuals and businesses with integrity and dedication.
Services
Personal Injury
Business Litigation
Real Estate
Estate Planning
Workers Compensation
Social Security Disability
Probate
Corporate Law
Employment Claims
Civil Litigation
Highlights and features
- We offer 261+ years of combined legal experience across diverse practice areas
- Our team provides personalized attention while maintaining rigorous legal standards
- We serve Spencer, Iowa with deep local knowledge and community commitment
- Our practice spans both litigation and transactional matters seamlessly
- We deliver transparent risk assessments and tailored legal strategies
Services
Personal Injury
We represent clients injured through others' negligence, including medical malpractice and product liability cases. Our attorneys develop cases individually with medical testimony support. With over 100 years of experience, we pursue maximum compensation for plaintiffs while maintaining rigorous case preparation standards.
Estate Planning
Our firm prepares wills, trusts, and lifetime gifting strategies while advising on Medicaid issues and charitable contributions. We create limited liability companies and trusts for wealth transfer, handling federal estate tax returns and probate alternatives. Attorneys specialize in both traditional and modern estate planning approaches.
Business Litigation
We handle complex contractual disputes using forensic accounting and economic expert testimony. Our practice includes contract and financial issues, restrictive covenant enforcement, and business entity disputes. The team represents both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial litigation matters across various industries.
Workers Compensation
We assist injured workers in obtaining rightful compensation through workers compensation claims. Our attorneys handle cases involving occupational injuries and employer disputes. With decades of experience, we navigate state-specific regulations to secure benefits for claimants across Spencer and surrounding areas.
Real Estate
Our firm provides legal counsel for residential and commercial real estate transactions, including title opinions and ownership structure advice. We prepare leases and handle financing arrangements for buyers, sellers, and lenders. With century-long experience, we serve diverse clients from first-time homebuyers to agricultural professionals.
People
Stephen F. Avery
Attorney
Practicing since 1966, Stephen specializes in medical malpractice, personal injury, and employment issues. He graduated from University of Iowa Law School and brings extensive trial experience to complex legal matters.
Christopher A. Bjornstad
Attorney
Phi Beta Kappa graduate of University of Iowa Law School, focusing on estates and business entities. Combines academic excellence with practical legal solutions for clients' estate and business needs.
David A. Scott
Attorney
Licensed since 1972, David concentrates on personal injury and workers compensation cases. His practice combines personal injury litigation with social security disability claims representation across Iowa.
Sarah K. Haack
Attorney
2019 University of Iowa law graduate specializing in real estate and estate planning. Focuses on probate, trust administration, and property transactions for individuals and businesses.
Lisa M. Steffen
Attorney
Licensed in Iowa and Minnesota since 2003, Lisa handles estate planning, agricultural law, and business planning. Brings cross-state expertise to clients' legal needs in rural and commercial contexts.
Questions
What practice areas does Cornwall, Avery, Bjornstad & Scott handle?
We handle personal injury, business litigation, real estate, estate planning, workers compensation, social security disability, probate, corporate law, employment claims, and civil litigation matters.
How long has the firm been in operation?
Our firm traces its roots to 1891 when W.W. Cornwall purchased a half interest in W.P. Ward's practice, making us one of Spencer's oldest law firms.
Do you offer estate planning services?
Yes, we provide comprehensive estate planning including wills, trusts, lifetime gifting strategies, and Medicaid planning, with attorneys specializing in both traditional and modern wealth transfer methods.
Can you assist with workers compensation claims?
Yes, we represent injured workers in workers compensation claims, helping them obtain rightful benefits through decades of experience in workplace injury cases across Iowa.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Spencer, Iowa and surrounding areas, with attorneys licensed in both Iowa and Minnesota to better serve regional clients' legal needs.
How do you approach client representation?
We listen to client needs, understand their goals, and provide transparent assessments of case viability, risks, and alternative resolution approaches for all legal matters.
