Brett Donahe serves as both a litigation and transactional attorney. He has a broad array of experience that includes assisting with high-value corporate transactions and drafting appellate briefs. Through his close attention to detail and persistence, Brett strives to meet and exceed each client’s individualized needs. While maintaining a transactional and litigation practice, his primary areas of emphasis are corporate organization and governance, securities and corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, white-collar criminal defense and internal investigations, and complex civil litigation.

Civil Practice

Complex Civil Litigation: Brett has participated in the representation of companies and corporate constituents in lawsuits pertaining to a variety of commercial matters. He has experience in all facets of the litigation process, from discovery to appellate work.

Criminal Practice

White-Collar Criminal Defense/Internal Investigations: Brett aids in the defense of individuals and companies in all phases of white-collar matters. He has assisted in various cases that include those involving allegations of bank fraud, mail and wire fraud, securities violations, false statements to the government, agricultural lending and insurance fraud, and bankruptcy fraud.

Transactional Practice

Corporate Organization and Governance: Brett advises directors, officers, and other corporate constituents regarding various matters pertaining to corporate organization and governance. He identifies pertinent organizational and governance issues and uniquely tailors a variety of documents to fit each client’s needs.

Securities and Corporate Finance: He counsels clients regarding the raising of capital, including the complexities of state and federal securities laws and regulations, with an emphasis in unregistered offerings. Brett has also assisted with private placements, SEC reporting, and the deregistration of securities.

Mergers and Acquisitions: Brett facilitates the consolidation of business entities. In doing so, he advises clients at all stages, from the initial letter of intent until post-closing.

Contracts: Brett drafts, reviews, and interprets financing, construction, management, marketing, and other commercial contracts to safeguard client needs. Additionally, he has drafted a variety of commercial contracts uniquely designed for each client.

Secured Transactions: Brett advises clients regarding creditor/debtor relationships and Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code generally.

Brett is a recent graduate of Drake University Law School. While at Drake, he served as a student attorney at the Drake University Entrepreneurial and Transactional Law Clinic (the Clinic). Brett had the privilege of serving as legal counsel to underserved entrepreneurs and local non-profit organizations. During his time as a student attorney at the Clinic, he formed and obtained 501(c)(3) status for an organization created to support refugees in central Iowa; facilitated the organizational restructuring and subsequent dissolution of an Iowa nonprofit organization; assisted in the merger between two prominent Iowa nonprofit organizations dedicated to mitigating homelessness; provided employment-related advice and guidance for a Midwest-based nonprofit organization; and advised an LLC client regarding the choice of entity decision, formation, and licensure obtainment. Learn more about Brett’s Clinic experience at Student Attorneys in Drake’s Entrepreneurial and Transactional Clinic provide critical services to ensure the success of area nonprofits.

Prior to joining Hanigan & Logan, Brett interned with the Iowa Securities and Regulated Industries Bureau where he investigated potential securities violations and assisted in the corresponding discovery of such investigations.

Before joining Hanigan & Logan, Brett served as a summer associate and law clerk at Dentons Davis Brown P.C., a law clerk at Simpson, Jensen, Abels, Fischer & Bouslog, P.C., and a law clerk at West Bank.

Brett is a West Des Moines, Iowa, native. In his free time, Brett enjoys biking, golfing, and spending time with friends and family.

• Facilitated a multimillion-dollar equity restructure through the drafting of intricate agreements and financial analysis;
• Aided in the completion of a large merger resulting in the deregistration of securities with the SEC;
• Assisted with a $15 million interstate subordinated debt issuance through the drafting of complex agreements;
• Drafted a letter of intent for a $300 million project and assisted in related negotiation for tax incentives;
• Assisted with several private placement memorandums for both interstate and intrastate securities offerings;
• Provided guidance regarding the propriety of a complex merger involving two prominent financial institutions; and
• Drafted an appellate brief for a matter of first impression before a federal agency.

• Legal Publications: Full Speed Ahead: Compulsory Employment Arbitration and the Transportation Workers Exemption to the Federal Arbitration Act (forthcoming in Drake Law Review Volume 70).
• Legal Accolades: 2022 Drake University Law School Class Rank: 2/106; H.G. Cartwright Law Review Award for best student-written article; CALI Excellence for the Future Awards (Administrative Law; Business Associations; Constitutional Law; Criminal Procedure; Entrepreneurial/Transactional Clinic; Evidence; Real Estate Transactions); Highest grade on all memorandum assignments and appellate brief assignment; Dean’s List each semester.