Atty. Daniel W. Smith

Atty. Daniel W. Smith

Daniel W. Smith is a lawyer practicing estate planning, business life insurance, financial planning.

West Des Moines West Des Moines 71 yrs experience 71 year
Call (515) 218-2341 Book Appointment

Business Life Insurance & More Attorney · Serving West Des Moines, IA · 71+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About Daniel W. Smith at a Glance

Daniel W. Smith is a estate planning, business, and insurance attorney based in West Des Moines, Iowa. They have 71+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1955. Admitted to practice in Iowa (1955). Educated at Drake University (J.D., 1955) and Drake University (B.S., 1953). Serves clients in West Des Moines, IA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About Daniel W. Smith

  • Daniel W. Smith is a lawyer practicing estate planning, business life insurance, financial planning
  • Daniel received a B.S. degree from Drake University in 1953, and has been licensed for 71 years
  • Daniel practices in West Des Moines, IA

Practice Areas Explained

Daniel W. Smith's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Daniel W. Smith handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in West Des Moines.

Estate Planning & Probate in West Des Moines

An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.

Daniel W. Smith is one of 224,789 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in Iowa →

Business & Corporate Law in West Des Moines

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Daniel W. Smith is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Iowa →

Insurance Law in West Des Moines

Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.

Daniel W. Smith is one of 120,903 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in Iowa →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in West Des Moines

Practicing law in Iowa. Legal matters in Iowa are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in West Des Moines are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Iowa state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Iowa brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Iowa courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

West Des Moines Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a West Des Moines-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional Iowa attorneys? Browse all attorneys in West Des Moines or all attorneys in Iowa.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About Daniel W. Smith

Where is Daniel W. Smith's law office located?
Daniel W. Smith's law practice is located in West Des Moines, Iowa. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Daniel W. Smith handle?
Daniel W. Smith focuses on estate planning, business, insurance. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Iowa.
How long has Daniel W. Smith practiced law?
Daniel W. Smith has 71+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1955.
Where did Daniel W. Smith go to law school?
Daniel W. Smith earned their education at (J.D., 1955); (B.S., 1953).
How can I contact Daniel W. Smith for a consultation?
You can contact Daniel W. Smith directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in West Des Moines Choose Daniel W. Smith

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Daniel W. Smith's practice in the field of estate planning, business, and insurance.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

Daniel W. Smith brings 71+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering estate planning, business, and insurance, Daniel W. Smith can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in West Des Moines

A West Des Moines-based practice means Daniel W. Smith attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues Daniel W. Smith Handles in West Des Moines

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Daniel W. Smith has experience with under Iowa law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Last wills and testaments
Estate Planning
Revocable living trusts
Estate Planning
Powers of attorney
Estate Planning
Probate proceedings
Estate Planning
Business formation and structure
Business
Contract drafting and review
Business
Partnership disputes
Business
Merger and acquisition support
Business

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Daniel W. Smith directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find Daniel W. Smith Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in West Des Moines commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Daniel W. Smith.

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If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Daniel W. Smith directly.

Daniel W. Smith's Practice Areas & Specializations

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
Drake University
- 1955
B.S.
Drake University
- 1953

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Iowa
Admitted: 1955

Client Reviews & Ratings — Daniel W. Smith

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