The father/son team of David and Philip Johnson have opened a new law office in Eagle Grove. The Johnson Law Firm, PLC, has spent the last five months quietly settling in and they are pleased to say business is going very well. David and Philip moved into their new Eagle Grove location at 216 N. Commercial (next to Fareway), back in late January of this year. They spent the first couple of months working on some redesign of the office space and getting to know some of the community members. They are hoping if you haven’t already stopped in to see their new facilities and introduced yourself, that you do so.
“We’ve been very busy,” said Philip.
Even during the renovations, walk-ins were stopping in.
“We’re very happy with the building. We already feel at home,” added David.
David has been a lawyer and been a part of a practice in Clarion for the past 30 years. He is excited to have his son joining him soon in the new practice in Eagle Grove. Philip, a 2014 graduate of Clarion-Goldfield High School, is currently serving as the firm's accountant and legal intern to David before taking the bar test in July to become a full-time practicing lawyer. While David does some work with drainage law and OWI defense, the firm practices in real estate transactions, probate, business formation contracts, tax preparation, and estate planning. A full list of their practicing areas is listed on their website.
Although The Johnson Law Firm, PLC, still has clients from the Clarion area, the men said they decided to move David’s practice to Eagle Grove for a couple of reasons. One reason is they were outgrowing the building in Clarion, sharing the space with another attorney. Interesting fact…one of the first attorneys in their Clarion practice was Leslie Archerd, who originally studied law in the Eagle Grove office of attorney J.W. McGrath, later forming a partnership with him before moving to Clarion in 1912 to enter the firm of Peterson, McGrath, & Archerd.
A second reason they decided to open The Johnson Law Firm, PLC, practice in Eagle Grove is because Philip is engaged to Eagle Grove native Brooke Allen. They have decided to make their home in Eagle Grove…and now the Johnson business as well. Brooke will also be working at The Johnson Law Firm, PLC, part-time and is currently applying to veterinary schools.
David is excited to soon have his son joining him in their business venture, and Philip is excited to be doing it in Eagle Grove.
“I never even considered moving out of Wright County when I was growing up…and (my father and I) have been planning for a long time to open a law firm together,” said Philip.
Philip will come to the partnership with a law degree from the University of Iowa, as well as a bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Accounting (following in his mother Colette’s footsteps) from Iowa State University. This December he will also be a licensed CPA.
“I think this will be very helpful in the estate planning side of the business for me to have a financial background as well,” said Philip. “It will help give customers that one-stop-shop for all their needs.”
The Johnson Law Firm, PLC is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
David is happy to know that when he is ready to retire, his son will still be there to keep the family practice running and providing the same quality service to their customers.
“I think it’s going to work out well,” said Philip. “I feel like I’m not brand new to law because I’ve built on my Dad’s knowledge…and I have 24/7 access to advice from him.”
