A native of Waterloo, Chad Swanson has been practicing law in Waterloo since joining the Dutton Law Firm in February 1995. Following his graduation from Waterloo West High School in 1988, he attended the University of Iowa, and received B.A. degrees with distinction in both English and music performance in May 1992. He stayed in Iowa City for law school and received his J.D. degree with distinction in December 1994.
Chad is passionate about confronting and solving some of life's most difficult problems for his clients. In the process, he engages in a broad litigation and trial practice, most often representing plaintiffs. His law practice includes representation of clients in a wide array of matters, including personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, insurance litigation, workers' compensation, premises liability, business litigation, disability litigation, sexual abuse claims, and constitutional torts.
Chad's licensure includes the state courts in both Iowa (1995) and Arizona (2020), several federal districts, and the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Chad is a member of the Black Hawk County Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, the Arizona Bar Association, the Iowa Association for Justice (“IAJ”), and the American Association for Justice. He is particularly proud of his long history of dedicated service to IAJ, having served on its Board of Governors between 2006 and 2022, its Executive Committee between 2016 and 2021, and as its 47th President in 2020.
In other areas of professional service and recognition, Chad served a six-year term on the District 1-B Judicial Nominating Commission and currently serves on the Iowa State Bar Association’s Civil Jury Instruction Committee. More recently, he has been elected to membership in the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers as well as the Iowa chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He is excited to begin serving a one-year term as the Iowa ABOTA President in October 2023, working to preserve and enhance the right to trial by jury in Iowa.
In 2019, Chad added yet another dimension to his law practice, becoming a certified mediator. Since then, he has mediated a host of civil cases to resolution. He is excited to continue refining his skills as a professional “peacemaker” as the next chapter of his professional life evolves.
In his community, Chad notes past service with the Cedar Falls Jaycees and on civic boards representing the Waterloo Visiting Nursing Association, the Malcolm Price Laboratory School Parent Advisory Committee, the College Hill Neighborhood Association, the Cedar Falls Tiger Booster Club, Friends of the UNI Museums, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa.
Chad is married to Michelle, a music education instructor at the University of Northern Iowa. They have two young adult children, Elizabeth and Matthew. They are members of Candeo Church in Cedar Falls. When not practicing law, Chad's passions outside of the law include spending time with his family, traveling, hiking, golfing, running, playing the cello, reading, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Chad Practices In:
Alternative Dispute ResolutionAppellate AdvocacyCommercial LitigationCar & Truck AccidentsContract DisputesGeneral Litigation and Trial LawPersonal InjuryProducts LiabilityProfessional MalpracticeWorkers' CompensationWrongful Death