About
Employment, Discrimination, and Civil Rights lawyer Jill Zwagerman was born and raised in Sibley, Iowa. She attended Drake University where she ran Division I track, was a team captain, and earned a degree in broadcast news. After working in human resources for two years, Jill returned to Drake University where she earned her law degree in 2004.
Jill has worked with wonderful clients over the course of her career. She has helped clients earn high dollar verdicts and settlements, including an $11.8 million verdict in a sexual harassment case and a $6.5 million settlement for gender discrimination in sports cases.
“Every person who walks through my door has experienced something pretty bad. They would not be seeking the help of a lawyer otherwise. My goal is to work with every client to find the best possible solution under the law. Sometimes that means litigation and sometimes that means finding creative solutions to make your employment better. Not every case is worth a million dollars, but it is still important. If I can help you, I will.”
Jill is focusing much of her practice on helping employees who have been sexually harassed and as well as those who have been retaliated against for engaging in whistleblower activity. She is committed to advocating for those who need a little help navigating the law.
Jill is married with three children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, and boating at Okoboji.
Practice Areas
- Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault
- Equal Pay
- Whistleblower and Retaliation
- Negotiation of Separation Agreements for Professionals
- Negotiations for all employment areas
- Trial Practice
- Gender Discrimination
- Disability Discrimination
- Age Discrimination
Bar Admissions
- State of Iowa (2004)
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa (2004)
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa (2004)
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit (2005)
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan (2018)
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit (2018)
Education
- Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa, J.D. with Honors
- Order of the Barristers
- Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, B.A. in Broadcast News
- Drake University Women's Track Team Captain
- Student Athletic Advisory Board Co-Chair
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Iowa Association for Justice -Board Member
- Eight Circuit NELA Board Member and Past President
- Blackstone Inn of Court Barrister
- Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers
- ABOTA
- National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), Iowa NELA,
- Iowa Bar Association,
- Polk County Bar Association
Speaking Engagements
- NELA 8th Circuit April 2016 “Background Checks”
- ISBA Labor & Employment Seminar October 2017 “The Art of a Closing Argument”
- IAJ Annual Convention November 2017 “Emotional Distress Damages”
- IAJ Employment Seminar February 2018 “The Bermuda Triangle of Work Comp, FMLA and ADA”
- NELA 8th Circuit Conference April 2018 “Implicit Bias in Judges and Juries”
- Polk County Bar Association April 2018, “ADA, FMLA Work Comp”
- Midwest Title IX Summit May 2018 “Sports and Discrimination Title IX in High Schools”
- National Employment Lawyers Association Annual Convention June 2018 “Champion Plaintiffs”
- Iowa Ideas Conference September 2018 “#MeToo”