Brian P. Galligan - Clive, IA
Attorney at Galligan Law
Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Clive, IA
13375 University Ave. Suite 302 Clive, IA 50325
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
26
Years
Experience
Clive Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- Medical Malpractice
- Medical Malpractice -- Plaintiff
- Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Plaintiff
- Personal Injury -- Plaintiff
- Products Liability Law
- Litigation & Appeals
Attorney Information
Overview
Brian is a trial lawyer born and raised in Iowa. Brian has dedicated his life to fighting for and giving voice to victims of medical malpractice, car crashes, defective products and other types of negligence or carelessness. Over the course of his career, Brian has recovered tens of millions of dollars for his clients through settlement and verdicts at trial.
After obtaining his B.A. at Colorado College, a top tier liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Brian returned home to Iowa to earn his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. He graduated with High Distinction and was honored with membership in the Order of the Coif, a designation reserved for individuals who graduate in the top ten percent of their law school class.
Brian is the proud son of a trial lawyer. Growing up, around the dinner table and in countless other moments spent with his father, he listened to his father recount the cases he was working on and the stories of the people he fought for. At an early age, Brian learned what it means to be a trial lawyer and to devote one’s life to representing people whose lives had been torn apart by injury or death caused by negligence and carelessness of others. He was inspired by his father’s passion for justice, his perseverance in the face of challenge, and his commitment and determination to fight for his clients and to give voice to their cause no matter how big or powerful the opposition. His father was a true champion for his clients and for the cause of justice.
After law school, Brian joined his father’s law practice in Des Moines, Iowa, determined to learn the craft and art of being a trial lawyer from his hero. Brian practiced alongside his father for 6 years, until his father was unexpectedly forced to retire in 2006 after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. Brian has carried on the fight, obtaining notable verdicts for clients, including: a $1.6 million verdict in 2007 against DHL Express, Inc. for a client who sustained a broken hip as the result of a collision caused by a negligent DHL delivery driver; a $5.5 million verdict after a 2012 medical malpractice trial representing a young girl who forever lost the normal use of her arm as a result of her mishandled birth, and; a $7 million verdict in 2016 against Farm Bureau Insurance Company for a mom and dad who lost their 19 year old son in a tragic car crash in rural Iowa. In addition to these and other trial successes, Brian has also secured hundreds of substantial settlements for clients, totaling in the tens of millions of dollars. In 2012, Brian was recognized by the American Association for Justice with the F. Scott Baldwin Award for Most Outstanding Young Trial Lawyer.
Brian has been active in both the local and national trial lawyer associations, the Iowa Association for Justice (IAJ) and the American Association for Justice (AAJ). He is a past-president of IAJ and a member of the AAJ Board of Governors. He has also been recognized as a fellow in the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers. He has lectured and taught nationally on topics ranging from cutting edge legal topics to effective trial techniques.
Both inside and outside the courtroom Brian is highly regarded by colleagues, defense lawyers and judges alike for his sharp intellect, ethics, skill and passion as an advocate for his clients. He has consistently received an AV Preeminent peer rating, the highest level of professional excellence from Martindale Hubble.
Brian is the proud father of three wonderful children. He enjoys his time away from being a trial lawyer at home in Clive, Iowa, recharging and delighting in the joy they bring to his life.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Iowa Trial Lawyers Association Key Person Award, 2007
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member, 2010
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member, 2010
- AV Rating (Highest Possible Rating) - Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rating, 2011 - Present
- Wiedemann & Wysocki Award - American Association for Justice, 2011
- F. Scott Baldwin Award for Most Outstanding Young Trial Lawyer- American Association for Justice, 2012
- Meritorious Achievement Award - Iowa Association for Justice, 2013
- Best Lawyers in America 2021, 2024
- Iowa Rules of Evidence Substantive Review Task Force, 2022
Other Sources of Feedback About Brian P. Galligan
Included on the 2026 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Great Plains Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
University of Iowa College of Law,
Iowa City,
Iowa, May, 2000
J.D.
Honors: Order of the Coif
Honors: With High Distinction
-
University of Iowa College of Law,
Iowa City,
Iowa, May, 2000
-
Non Legal Education
-
Colorado College,
Colorado Springs,
Colorado, May, 1997
B.A.
Major: U.S. History/Political Science
-
Colorado College,
Colorado Springs,
Colorado, May, 1997
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Attorney
Past Positions
- U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, Intern, 1995 - Present
- The White House, Intern, 1996 - Present
Classes and Seminars
-
Engineering and the Law: Product Liability, Iowa State University - Department of Engineering - Ames, IA, November 7, 2006 - Present
-
Personal Injury Basics, Iowa State Bar Association, March 12, 2008 - Present
-
Changes Facing Trial Court Judges in the Coming Decade, 2008 Iowa Judicial Conference - Des Moines, IA, June 19, 2008 - Present
-
Vicarious Liability Through Agency Relationships, Iowa Trial Lawyers Association - Auto/PI Seminar - Des Moines, IA, August 1, 2008 - Present
-
Case Settlement Considerations, Iowa Association for Justice - Des Moines, IA, March 31, 2009 - Present
-
Standards for Expert Testimony In Iowa, Iowa Association for Justice - 2009 Annual Convention - Des Moines, IA, November 5, 2009 - Present
-
Stumbling Blocks to Case Settlement, Iowa Association for Justice - 2009 Annual Convention - Des Moines, IA, November 5, 2009 - Present
-
Trying Your Personal Injury Case in Federal Court, Iowa Association for Justice - 2010 Personal Injury Seminar - Des Moines, IA, April 23, 2010 - Present
-
The New Restatement's Top 10 Tort Tools: The Restatement (Third) of Torts: Liability for Physical and Emotional Harm, American Association for Justice 2010 Annual Convention - Vancouver, B.C., July 11, 2010 - Present
-
Standards for Expert Testimony - Pretrial Strategies, American Association for Justice 2010 Annual Convention - Vancouver, B.C., July 11, 2010 - Present
-
The Things You Shouldn't Forget to Do Before Trial, American Association For Justice - Litigating Auto Collision Cases Seminar - New Orleans, LA, April 29, 2011 - Present
-
The Things You Shouldn't Forget to Do Before Trial, Iowa Association For Justice - 2011 Personal Injury Seminar - Des Moines, IA, August 27, 2011 - Present
-
The Restatement (Third) Torts: Liability for Physical and Emotional Harm: What You Need to Know, Mass Torts Made Perfect/Torts Made Perfect - Las Vegas, NV, October 14, 2011 - Present
-
Discovery and Admission of Medical and Mental Health Records, Story County Bench/Bar Seminar - Ames, IA, January 27, 2012 - Present
-
How to Find a Courageous Jury, Iowa Association for Justice - 2012 Annual Convention - Des Moines, IA, November 8, 2012 - Present
-
Voir Dire - Choosing the Right Jury, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers - Annual Seminar - Des Moines, IA, February 21, 2013 - Present
-
The Restatement (Third) Torts and Iowa Tort Law, Iowa Judges Association Annual Conference - Des Moines, IA, June 19, 2014 - Present
-
The Med Mal Climate, Patient Safety & Iowa's New "Candor" Law, Iowa Association for Justice - 2015 Annual Convention - Des Moines, IA, November 5, 2015 - Present
-
Adult Child Consortium Claims in Wrongful Death Cases, Iowa Association for Justice - 2016 Annual Convention - Des Moines, IA, November 10, 2016 - Present
-
Handling the Challenges of Implicit Bias/Rehabilitating Witnesses, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers - Annual Seminar - Des Moines, IA, February 23, 2017 - Present
-
Trial by Human with Nick Rowley, Drake Law School AAJ - Des Moines, IA, November 11, 2017 - Present
-
The Current State of Medical Malpractice In Iowa, Iowa State Bar Association – Webinar, May 1, 2018 - Present
-
Trial Practice, Nevada Justice Association Annual Convention – San Diego, CA, October 5, 2018 - Present
-
jury Verdict Panel, Iowa State Bar Association - Annual Meeting - Des Moines, IA, June 20, 2018 - Present
-
The Current State of Medical Malpractice In Iowa, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers - Annual Seminar - Des Moines, Iowa, February 21, 2019 - Present
-
Ethical Constraints in Closing Arguments - Panel, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers - Annual Seminar - Des Moines, IA, February 27, 2020
-
Candor Laws, National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives - 2021 Government Affairs Conference - Savannah, GA, November 7, 2021 - Present
-
Motions in Limine, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers - Annual Seminar - Des Moines, IA, February 24, 2022 - Present
- Opening Statements and Closing Arguments in Civil Jury Trials, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers - Annual Seminar - Des Moines, IA, February 28, 2025
Pro Bono Activities
- Iowa Legal Aid Foundation - Board Member, 2008 - 2012
- HOLA Clinic - Polk County Bar Association, 2006 - 2008
- Junior High School Mock Trial Program, Coach - Indian Hills/Stillwell Junior High, 2000 - 2005
- High School Mock Trial Program, Coach - Valley High School, 2003 - Present
- High School Mock Trial Program, Coach - Valley Southwoods, 2005 - Present
- High School Mock Trial Program, Coach - Valley Southwoods, 2007 - Present
- High School Mock Trial Program, Coach - Valley High School, 2008 - Present
- High School Mock Trial Program, Coach - Valley High School, 2009 - Present
Bar Admissions
- Iowa, 2000
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 2004
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 2004
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2006
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2005
- U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 2012
Other Affiliations
- American College of Trial Lawyers, September 28, 2024 - Present (Fellow)
- Iowa Association for Justice/Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, 2015 - 2016 (President)
- Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2013 - Present (Fellow)
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), June 12, 2017 - Present (Member)
- American Association for Justice/Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2011 - Present (Board of Governors)
- Iowa Association for Justice/Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, 2000 - Present (Member)
- Iowa Association for Justice/Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, 2006 - Present (Board of Governors)
- Iowa Association for Justice/Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, 2005 - Present (Continuing Legal Education Committee)
- Iowa Association for Justice/Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, 2006 - Present (Legislative Committee)
- Iowa Association for Justice/Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, 2006 - 2008 (Justice For All PAC, Board of Trustees)
- Roscoe Pound Civil Justice Institute, 2011 - 2014 (Fellow)
- American Association for Justice/Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2000 - Present (Member)
- American Association for Justice/Association of Trial Lawyers of America - NLD, 2010 - 2011 (President/Chair)
- Polk County Bar Association, 2000 - Present (Member)
- Iowa State Bar Association, 2000 - Present (Member)
- Iowa State Bar Association YLD, 2005 - 2009 (District 5C Representative - Executive Council)
- Iowa State Bar Association - Independence of the Judiciary Committee, 2007 - 2016 (Member)
- Blackstone Inn of Court, 2004 - 2010 (Barrister)
- Professional Negligence Section - American Association for Justice, 2005 - Present (Member)
- Birth Trauma Litigation Group - American Association for Justice, 2005 - Present (Member)
- Medical Negligence Information Exchange Group - American Association for Justice, 2008 - Present (Member)
- Product Liability Section - American Association for Justice, 2005 - Present (Member)
- Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, 2004 - Present (Member)
Contact
Disclaimer
Your Profile? Update Now
When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.
How do I choose a lawyer?
Consider the following:
- Comfort Level – Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
- Credentials – How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
- Cost – How are the lawyer's fees structured — hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
- City – Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?
Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?
Here are a few to get you started:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- How often do you settle cases out of court?
- What are your fees and costs?
- What are the next steps?
Want to check lawyer discipline?
It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:
- Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
- Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
- Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.