Brandon R. Underwood

Brandon is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer. He’s first chaired jury trials in Iowa and Minnesota in disputes involving millions of dollars, advocated in multiple bench trials, and briefed and argued several appeals in the state and federal systems. Brandon has also successfully opposed a petition for writ of certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Brandon represents owners, developers, and contractors on public and private construction projects to resolve disputes in mediation, arbitration and litigation. His experience includes mechanic’s liens, bid protests, defects, delays, negligence, DBE compliance, and federal construction contracts. Brandon litigates disputes nationwide involving contracts, negligence, business torts, fraud, non-compete agreements, and mergers and acquisitions. 

Before joining Fredrikson, Brandon worked as a law clerk to the Honorable Stephanie M. Rose of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa and to the Honorable Justice Bruce B. Zager of the Iowa Supreme Court.

• Obtained a jury verdict of over $1 million in a construction-equipment lease dispute.
• Obtained reversal on appeal of trial court ruling following bench trial awarding over nearly $1 million in damages in construction dispute.
• Defeated claims against national wireless carrier involving tower lease.
• Defeated veil-piercing claims under Iowa law following bench trial.
• Successfully defended healthcare entity at bench trial and on appeal against claim alleging breach of fiduciary duty.
• Obtained preliminary injunction in trade secrets and non-compete dispute following two-day evidentiary hearing in federal court.
• Obtained dismissal of case against foreign manufacturer from federal for court lack of jurisdiction.
• Obtained affirmance in Eighth Circuit of trial court rulings dismissing retaliation, discrimination, harassment claims and successfully opposed a petition for writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court.
• Obtained summary judgment for insurer client in case challenging denial of life-insurance benefits.
• Obtained summary judgement for local bank client in case involving employee embezzlement.
• Obtained summary judgment in federal court for national telecommunications client in contract dispute with local government.
• Obtained dismissal of student-loan services of multiple cases in federal court, including cases alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
• Represented multiple employers in cases alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Education

• University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 2013, with high distinction
• University of Iowa, B.A., 2010

Admissions

• Iowa, 2013
• Minnesota, 2021
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, 2016
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, 2016
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 2021
• U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, 2023
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 2021
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, 2022
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa, 2021
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Iowa, 2017
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2019
• U.S. Supreme Court, 2020

Clerkships

• Law Clerk, Honorable Stephanie M. Rose, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, 2014-2016
• Law Clerk, Honorable Justice Bruce B. Zager, Iowa Supreme Court, 2013-2014

• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Construction Law, 2021-2025; Labor and Employment Law - Management, 2021-2025
• Great Plains Super Lawyers Rising Star, Business Litigation, 2018; Construction Litigation, 2019-2023
• North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2021-2022
• Outstanding Student Writer Award, Journal of Corporation Law, Volume 37

Professional Activities

• Iowa State Bar Association, Council Member, Construction Law Section Council, 2017-present
• Iowa State Bar Association, Member
• Polk County Bar Association, Member
• Commission on Continuing Legal Education (CLE), 2023-2026
• Associated General Contractors of Iowa Leadership Academy, 2017-2018
• Blackstone Inn of Court, Associate 2017-2018
• Ankeny Young Professionals
• Journal of Corporation Law, Administrative Editor, Volume 38; Writer, Volume 37

Community

• Spina Bifida Association of Iowa, Board of Directors, 2017-2020