Meet Hope Wood, JD

Hope Wood in a pink blazer

I am no different in my personal life than in my professional life. Who I am as a person is very much who I am as a lawyer. There is only one version of me.

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About Hope

Please contact me with your estate and probate questions.

 

I have the educational and life skills to solve your problems. My life journey has shaped my role as an attorney.  I am a farmer’s daughter, so I grew up with a good work ethic. I am the middle child, so I learned patience and how to mediate conflicts. I was a basketball official, so I learned to be assertive and think on my feet. 

My first career began in 2000 in exercise and wellness. I began in management and discovered my favorite part of the job was resolving conflict and dealing with problems. When I worked for a nonprofit, I learned how to be efficient and get things done. I want to meet your legal needs on your timeline.

My goal as an attorney is to provide legal services efficiently, effectively, and at a reasonable cost.

  • I provide one-on-one service, so you will always talk directly to me about your legal needs.

  • I will develop timelines for completing your case.

  • I will keep you informed of new developments of your case. 

  • My invoices provide specific details about the work performed.

  • I offer a secure client portal where you can communicate with me and view information about your case.

  • I stay informed about current case law by reading the Iowa appellate opinions after they are published.  

“Hope’s truly a person who cares about her clients and wants what's in their best interest.”

—Heidi S.

Education

JD, Drake University Law School, 2012
MA, University of Iowa, 2002
BS, Iowa State University, 2000

Pro Bono Recognition

  • Rolland E. Grefe Pro Bono Publico Award, Iowa State Bar Association, 2020 Recipient

  • American Bar Association Free Legal Answers 2019 Pro Bono Leader, 2019 Recipient

  • Spotlight on Service, Iowa State Bar Association Public Relations Committee, October 2018

Memberships

  • Iowa State Bar Association

  • Polk County Women Attorneys

  • Polk County Bar Association

  • Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys

“As a colleague and former classmate of Hope’s, I can attest that she is a person of sincerity and great integrity in her goal of providing cost-efficient legal services to her clients.”

— Sheila H.

Publications

  • Hope Wood, Be Special: The Benefits of a Legal Practice Specialty, Volume 80, Number 5, The Iowa Lawyer, p. 13, June 2020.

  • Hope Wood, Three Words I Can Get Behind: Free Legal Answers, Volume 79, Number 9, The Iowa Lawyer, p. 6, October 2019

  • Hope Wood, On the Balance Beam with Depression and Anxiety, Volume 76, Number 4, The Iowa Lawyer, p. 8, May 2016.

  • Hope Wood, A Roadmap to Positive Behavior Change, Volume 76, Number 4, The Iowa Lawyer, p. 14, May 2016. 

  • Hope Wood, Melissa Larson, Andrea McGinn, Your Shingle. Your Choice., Volume 76, Number 8, The Iowa Lawyer, p. 12, Sept. 2016.

Presentations

  • Panelist on mental health, United States Eighth Circuit Judicial Conference, 2021

  • Powers of Attorney: More than a form, Iowa State Bar Association, 2021

  • Physical Wellness, Iowa State Public Defenders, 2020; United States Attorneys Office, 2021

  • Appointing a Power of Attorney, Justice Cady Public Day of Service, 2020

  • Well-Being during COVID-19, Iowa State Bar Association, 2020

  • Estate Planning for Non-estate Attorneys, Iowa State Bar Association, 2019

  • Basics of Wills and Revocable Trusts, Iowa People’s Law School, 2019

  • Drafting Powers of Attorney, Polk County Bar Association, 2019

Hope Wood Receives Expertise Award for Probate Services

Hope Wood Named One of the Three Best Estate-Planning Attorneys in Des Moines

Hope and Hercules

Personal Interests

  • Mentoring students, parents, and professionals

  • Public speaking and writing

  • Physical fitness and being outdoors

  • Scrapbooking and drawing

  • Therapy dog volunteer with Hercules

What Iowans Are Saying About Hope

 

“Hope is a wonderful person who listens. She also doesn't "talk down" to us knuckleheads who don't necessarily know the law. I would recommend her highly.

— Alexander W.

“Hope Wood was flexible, patient, and easy to work with. She is passionate about people and problem-solving, and it is evident in the way she connects with her clients.”

— Samuel R.

“She is a great listener and does an amazing job of bringing clarity and focus to tough, life discussions. I would highly recommend her.”

— Gina S.

 

Contact Hope

Have a question about estate planning, power of attorney, or probate? Submit your question to let me know how I can help you. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Just click “Contact Hope”!