Rhonda is currently employed with Buckmeier & Daane Lawyers PC in Sioux City, Iowa, as a paralegal - office manager for the past twelve years. Her attorneys are primarily trial attorneys and practice in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Rhonda has obtained a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal/Legal Assistant, and an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting. She has served in numerous positions with the Iowa Association of Legal Assistants such as Treasurer, 2006 Spring Seminar Chair, Placement Chairperson, and Region 3 Director.

DMACC graduate - 1986 AS Legal Assistant Degree
William Penn University - 2001 BA Degree in Business
Drake University - 2004 Masters in Public Administration

Sherry worked as a paralegal for small private law firms for approximately 10 years and is experienced in personal injury, medical malpractice, and asbestos class action litigation.  She worked for a private company contracted with Child Support Recovery Unit for 5 years establishing child support court order and paternity.  For the past 5 years Sherry has worked for Wells Fargo.  For the past 2.5 years, she has been the Operations Manager of the legal department.

Melissa has been employed as a legal assistant with Casey’s General Stores Corporate Headquarters in Ankeny, Iowa for the past three years, working in the area of real estate.  She graduated from Hamilton College in Cedar Falls in 2003 with an Associates degree in Paralegal Studies.  She is also currently working on her Bachelor’s degree through Kaplan University.  In addition, she attained her CLA in 2006.  Most recently she has been selected to participate in NALA’s LEAP program.

Melissa began her involvement in IALA as a student member and has served on various committees prior to her current appointment as elections and nominations chair.

Lynnsey Bowen graduated with an AS degree from the Legal Assistant Program at Iowa Lakes Community College.  She attended the University of Iowa.  In 2000, Lynnsey joined IALA.  She has held the positions of Secretary and is current the Iowa Bar Liaison.  Lynnsey is currently employed at Cook, Brown & Scott, PLC in Des Moines, Iowa working primarily in the areas of personal injury and medical malpractice.

Christina Smith is currently employed at Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company in Algona, IA as a compliance specialist.

Christina is a 2006 graduate of Hamilton College in Mason City with an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies. She is currently taking various classes in insurance through Pharmacists Mutual.

Christina is married to Gerald Smith and has two children. Christina and her family reside in Belmond.

Serving as PR Liaison is Christina’s first position on the board.

Sheri is currently employed at Peddicord Law Firm, which she has held the position of Legal Assistant/Paralegal for the last 6 years in the area of Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury in both Claimant/Plaintiff and defensive litigation.

Sheri graduated from Des Moines Area Community College attaining her Legal Assistant Degree. She became active in the Iowa Association of Legal Assistants Association as a student member. Sheri has served as the Region V Director, 1st Vice President and is currently serving as the President for the Association. She has assisted with seminars and has visited colleges at DMACC and Hamilton College in Des Moines speaking with legal assistant students. As a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Sheri represented the Iowa Association of Legal Assistants at the NALA Convention in Kansas City in 2005.

Past Positions Held - Paula Grady Memorial Education Scholarship Committee (1997-2007)

Peggy Patters is a paralegal with the law firm of Brady & O'Shea, P.C.   She earned her Associate of Arts with honors in the Legal Assistant program at Kirkwood Community College and has been practicing as a litigation paralegal since 1988. She is a member of the Iowa Association of Legal Assistants and a paralegal member of American Association for Justice (formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America).  Ms. Patters has assisted in jury trials in state and federal courts.  Her main focus is in the areas of personal injury and business litigation.  She has served on several IALA seminar committees in the past, coordinated speakers and presenters for regional meetings and presented as a speaker on several occasions. Peggy is proud to have served on the Paula Grady Memorial Education Scholarship Committee since its inception in 1997.

Peggy is married to Keith and lives in Marion, Iowa.  She has three children and six grandchildren.   In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, traveling, music and photography. 

School Liaison - Iowa Western Community College

Traci has been with the Law Offices of Roger L. Sawatzke since June 15, 1998. She received her Associate of Science degree in Paralegal Studies from Iowa Western Community College in 1998. Traci is currently a full-time student at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She works primarily in the areas of personal injury litigation, workers' compensation, and railroad litigation.

Professional Affiliations / Community Activities:
Editor/Publisher of the Original Notice for the Iowa Association of
Legal Assistants 2004-2005; NALA Liaison 2005-2007; First Vice President of the Iowa Association of Legal Assistants 2002-2004; Region 4 Director of the Iowa Association of Legal Assistants 2000-2002; Iowa Association of Legal Assistants Liaison to the National Association of Legal Assistants 2006; Iowa Western Community College Student Liaison 2000-2007; Iowa Western Paralegal Advisory Board 2000-2007; Business Professionals of America 1995-1996; Secretary/Treasurer of the Legal Studies Association 1996-1997; Iowa Western Mock Trial Team Member 1997; National Association of Legal Assistants 2001-2005; and Legal Support Professionals of Iowa 2001.