Justin D. Riem, Associate

Phone: (319) 363-8199
Email address:jriem@arensonlaw.com

Unlike many of my law school peers, I didn’t always know I wanted to be a lawyer. While attending high school in Minnesota, I was a bit of an entrepreneur, starting and running my own car detailing and lawn care businesses. When I went back to my home state of Wisconsin to start my undergraduate studies at UW-Madison, I followed in my brother’s footsteps and initially sought an engineering degree. After a year and a half of studying, however, I realized my true passions lied with the elective courses I took in psychology and social sciences; the classes that challenged me to see the world through different lenses and think creatively to find solutions to difficult problems. I immediately changed my major, pursued a career in the law, and never looked back.

I represent my clients ethically, analytically, and empathetically. I understand when meeting a prospective client, it is often during the worst moments of his or her life, and I don’t take that lightly. Trials are rarely the desired answer, but in some cases, they are the only appropriate solution. That is why I focused my attention both during and after law school on litigation, client counseling, and negotiation, to ensure I had the tools necessary to best help my clients achieve their goals. When I moved to Iowa with my wife and our children in 2016, I joined a local general practice firm and continued to cultivate my skills in civil litigation and negotiation, representing clients in a variety of matters, from contempt proceedings to breaches of corporate fiduciary duty claims.

My extensive experience in a wide array of legal areas, together with my practical, real-world knowledge and creative approach, gives my clients the trust that their matters are skillfully handled by a dedicated attorney who not only understands their legal needs, but has their best interests in mind. I know what it means to work hard for the most important things in your life. I feel quite privileged to use my passion for and knowledge of the law to help local Iowans navigate the confusing, emotionally charged, and often-adversarial legal system to get the justice they want and deserve.

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
  • Guardianship
  • 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, 2017
• Minnesota, 2013

Education

• University of St. Thomas School of Law, Juris Doctorate, 2013
• University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bachelors of Science in Psychology, 2009

Professional Memberships

• Iowa State Bar Association
• Linn County Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association

Articles

• What Happens to Custody and Visitation when a Parent Moves?
• How Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income Can Affect Child Support
• How do I establish, contest, or disestablish paternity?
• What is the process for getting a name change?
• What is Domestic Abuse?

Testimonial

My experience with Justin Riem helped to restore my faith in the legal system. Justin was able to recoup a large deposit I have given a contractor as well as the associated fees. He was determined and stayed with it, all the while keeping me informed as to where things stood. I would certainly recommend Justin’s services to anyone seeking legal advice and will definitely contact him in the future should the need arise.