Silvia J. Hansell

Silvia Hansell is of counsel at the firm practicing primarily in the areas of family law, alternative dispute resolution and general litigation.  She handles cases involving child custody disputes, alimony and child support, and the division of personal property and small businesses.  In addition to serving as an advocate for her clients, Ms. Hansell mediates a wide array of family law matters.  She is a trained and certified family law mediator.

Ms. Hansell received her A.B. cum laude from Duke University in 1993.  She earned her law degree cum laude from the University of Michigan in 1997 and served as Executive Editor of the Michigan Law Review.  Following law school, Ms. Hansell served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Cornelia G. Kennedy of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (1997-98).

In addition to her professional practice, Ms. Hansell is active in the community.  She served as a board member for the Des Moines Metro Opera for four years and as a member of the Civic Music Association Board of Directors for three years.

As the daughter of German immigrants, Ms. Hansell has spent significant time in Germany and remains fluent in the German language.

Des Moines Metro Opera (Board Member, 2003 to 2007)

Civic Music Association (Board Member, 2005 to 2008)