Our Attorneys

Steve D. Hamilton

Steve graduated from University of Notre Dame and University of Arizona Law School. After graduation, he worked as a public defender for Pima County in Tucson for a number of years before returning to Iowa to join the practice in 1976. He has been practicing law for 45 years. He is admitted to Iowa state and federal courts and Nebraska and Arizona state courts.

Willis J. Hamilton

Willis has 43 years of practice experience, and negotiated two of the firm’s largest settlements. Willis attended Creighton University undergraduate and law school. He joined the practice upon graduation in 1974. He is admitted to Iowa state and federal courts and Nebraska state court.

Willis J. Hamilton

Willis has 43 years of practice experience, and negotiated two of the firm’s largest settlements. Willis attended Creighton University undergraduate and law school. He joined the practice upon graduation in 1974. He is admitted to Iowa state and federal courts and Nebraska state court.

Mary C. Hamilton

Mary attended the University of Arizona and then Buena Vista University, where she obtained an accounting degree. She passed the CPA exam and practiced as an accountant for 10 years before attending Creighton University Law School. She is admitted to Iowa state and federal courts.

Molly Hamilton

Molly attended Creighton University undergraduate program and Loyola University Chicago and obtained a Master’s in Clinical Social Work. She spent ten years working at hospitals in Chicago. Molly attended The John Marshall Law School while working as a social worker, and graduated in 2013. Molly is admitted to practice in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri, state and federal courts.

Molly Hamilton

Molly attended Creighton University undergraduate program and Loyola University Chicago and obtained a Master’s in Clinical Social Work. She spent ten years working at hospitals in Chicago. Molly attended The John Marshall Law School while working as a social worker, and graduated in 2013. Molly is admitted to Illinois state and federal courts.

Our History

Hamilton Law Firm is one of the oldest family owned law firms in the state of Iowa. Founded in 1876, we have extensive experience, particularly in personal injury law. With three convenient locations in Iowa and clients in both Iowa and Nebraska, our attorneys provide legal counsel on a broad range of cases. 


Hamilton Law Firm is proud to be part of the history of the State of Iowa. Established in 1876, the firm’s legacy has remained with the descendants of the original founders. Today, Hamilton Law Firm is still owned and operated by the great-great grandchildren of founder A.D. Bailie.


Our family name has changed over the years but as time goes by we press forward by continually maintaining respect for the judicial system, and by serving the community with our professionalism, experience and knowledge of the legal system of the State of Iowa.

A.D. Bailie

A.D. Bailie, the firm founder, was born in 1857, in Effingham County, Illinois. He attended college in Normal, Illinois, and worked as a public school teacher while studying law the Wood Brothers Law Firm. During the Civil War, A.D. served in the Union Army. He sustained injuries that resulted in retained bullets in his arm. After the end of the war, he sat for the Bar Exam and was admitted to the practice of law in 1881. He re-located to the Storm Lake area and opened his practice. He served as county attorney in Buena Vista county in 1887 through 1888. He was also elected mayor of Storm Lake for several terms. He was appointed judge in the Fourteenth Judicial District, and served until 1913 when he returned to private practice. He also served as trustee for Buena Vista College.

Willis Edson

Willis Edson was born and raised on a farm in Will County, Illinois. His family moved to the Sac County area when Willis was eleven years old. He attended Buena Vista College, and University of Iowa College of Law.. He played football at Iowa and was named an All-American. He joined the law firm in 1901. He served two terms as county attorney, was elected mayor, and served four terms as an Iowa State Representative. He served as President of the Board of Trustees at Buena Vista College. He was instrumental in obtaining funding to remain open during the Great Depression and Edson Hall on campus is named in his honor. Willis and his wife, Ethel Bailie Edson, had four children. His daughter Jean later married James Roland Hamilton.

Willis Edson

Willis Edson was born and raised on a farm in Will County, Illinois. His family moved to the Sac County area when Willis was eleven years old. He attended Buena Vista College, and University of Iowa College of Law.. He played football at Iowa and was named an All-American. He joined the law firm in 1901. He served two terms as county attorney, was elected mayor, and served four terms as an Iowa State Representative. He served as President of the Board of Trustees at Buena Vista College. He was instrumental in obtaining funding to remain open during the Great Depression and Edson Hall on campus is named in his honor. Willis and his wife, Ethel Bailie Edson, had four children. His daughter Jean later married James Roland Hamilton.

James “Bones” Hamilton

Bones was born and raised in Iowa. He attended Buena Vista College, working in the cafeteria to support himself to graduation. After graduation he played baseball for a New York Yankee scout team. After enough wasted time, he attended Creighton Law School. Bones and all four of his siblings served in World War II, and was stationed at an airfield in England. When he returned to Iowa, he joined the law practice with his father-in-law, Willis. He practiced law for over forty years. He served as County Attorney for Buena Vista County and was appointed to the state conservation board by Governor Harold Hughes, who became a close friend and confidant. Bones and his wife, Jean, had eight children. Their children: Steve, Willis, and Mary continued the practice to its fourth generation.

Man in front of a plane — Clive, IA — Hamilton Law Firm