Laura J. Lemos, Family Law Attorney

Email address: llemos@arensonlaw.com

Since beginning my legal practice as an associate with a general practice firm in Eastern Iowa in 2006, I have particularly appreciated the complex logistical, emotional, and legal needs that clients face when they become involved in family law litigation. Over the past many years, I have enjoyed representing clients in a wide range of family law matters including dissolutions of marriage, custody proceedings, modifications, terminations of parental rights, adoptions, child support reviews, mediations, civil domestic abuse cases, and appeals. I have had the privilege of representing clients in counties throughout Southeastern Iowa, including Linn, Johnson, Benton, Iowa, Tama, Washington, Keokuk, and Scott counties. I have also helped clients with needs such as the drafting of prenuptial agreements and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders. Having served as a family law mediator since 2010, mediation has become one of my favorite aspects of family law practice, as it provides parties with the opportunity to avoid the need for further litigation, and it imparts parties with more power to control the outcome of their cases in a mutually agreeable and satisfying manner.

Working as an attorney is a second career for me. After receiving a B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Manitoba in Canada, where I grew up, I attended graduate school and received my M.A. in Philosophy from Duke University. I relocated to Cedar Rapids when my husband began teaching at Coe College. For many years, I taught classes in Philosophy at Kirkwood Community College and Coe College as an adjunct professor. In 2006, I graduated with my J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law and began practicing as an attorney. I also enjoyed the great privilege of serving as a law clerk to the local judges of the Sixth Judicial District of Iowa in 2008 and 2009, assisting with legal research and with the drafting of rulings and orders.

Having lived in Cedar Rapids for over 25 years, this community has grown to be my home. For many years, I volunteered in the Cedar Rapids Community Schools, and I truly appreciate all that this area has to offer.

Areas of Practice

• Family Law
  • Adoption
  • Appeals
  • Dissolution of Marriage
  • Separation
  • Alimony
  • Child support
  • Custody and parenting time
  • Visitation
  • Contempt in child custody cases
  • Mediation and arbitration
  • Property division
  • Paternity
  • Pre-nuptial agreement
  • Grandparents’ rights
  • Spousal abuse
  • Restraining and protective orders
  • Termination of parental rights
• Divorce
  • Child Support
  • Child Custody
  • Modifications to Child Custody Agreements
  • Visitation
  • Premarital Agreements
  • Contempt in Child Custody Cases
  • Show Cause Cases
  • Grandparent Visitation
  • Paternity
  • Domestic Abuse

Admitted to Practice

• Iowa, 2006

Education

• 40 hours of Divorce and Family Law Mediation Training with Steve Sovern, 2010
• University of Iowa College of Law, Juris Doctorate, 2006
• Duke University, M.A. in Philosophy, 1991
• University of Manitoba, Canada, B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology, 1999

Professional Memberships

• Iowa State Bar Association
• Linn County Bar Association
• Sixth Judicial District of Iowa Roster Mediator