In 1990, Faegre Baker Daniels became the first national law firm to establish an office in Des Moines. Our Des Moines partners are native Midwesterners with highly developed local practices and active profiles in Iowa professional and community activities. Through the Des Moines office, we serve the growing needs of the vibrant and diverse Iowa economy.

Des Moines, capital of Iowa, is known as one of the top three insurance centers in the United States and has a sizable financial services and publishing business base. Forbes magazine ranked Des Moines as the "Best Place for Business" in 2010, and other accolades include making Kiplinger's list of the top 10 cities for the next decade and the richest metro area designation by U.S. News and World Report. National Geographic described Des Moines as the top place to "go green."

Iowa plays a dominant role in agribusiness and in shaping agricultural policy. From farms and factories, laboratories and legislatures, Iowa and its workforce contribute to feeding, and fueling, the world in better and more efficient ways. Des Moines is home to the World Food Prize, which annually recognizes contributions of scientists, inventors and humanitarians who further the work and vision of native Iowan and Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug.

Today Des Moines is in the midst of major construction in the downtown area, much of it focusing on lifestyle and entertainment. In 2002, the Principal Financial Group and the city announced plans for the Principal Riverwalk, which now includes feature trails, pedestrian bridges across the river, a fountain and skating plaza, and a "civic garden" in front of the City Hall.  Many downtown buildings are being converted to loft apartments and condominiums. This trend is highlighted by the success of the East Village district of shops, studios, and housing between the Capitol district and the Des Moines River.

Des Moines is a cultural center for Iowa and home to several art and history museums and performing arts groups, including The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, which routinely hosts the best Broadway shows and other live professional theater and the Des Moines Symphony; Des Moines Metro Opera; Science Center of Iowa; The Des Moines Art Center; and the State of Iowa Historical Museum. The Pappajohn Sculpture Park in the west corridor of downtown Des Moines opened in 2009.  The park, open without charge to the public, covers 4.4 acres and contains nearly 30 works of art including pieces by Jaume Plensa, Sol LeWitt, Ellsworth Kelly, Juno and Keith Haring. 

The city and surrounding area has a vast array of activities for all ages, from the annual Iowa State Fair, rated by USA Today as one of the Top 10 best things to do in the summertime in the U.S., to the Des Moines Arts Festival in downtown, also ranked high on the list for the nation's arts festivals.