Don Hemphill
Don Hemphill grew up in Milford and received both his B.A. and J.D. (with distinction) from the University of Iowa.
He is admitted to practice before the Iowa Supreme Court, Iowa Federal District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts, 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Courts.
Don joined the firm of Sackett and Sackett in May of 1973, where he was made Partner two years later. In 1986, he established the Hemphill Law firm, a sole proprietorship.
In 2009, it became Hemphill Law Office, PLC a general law practice with emphasis in municipal and public law and including real estate, probate, commercial and trial practice.
Don is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, where he has served as Past Committee Chairman (Young Lawyers Section), Clay County Bar Association (Member and Past President), Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association, (President 2005-2006) International Institute of Municipal Legal Officers, American Bar Association; past member American Trial Lawyers Association, and the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association.
Don is called upon to lecture for the Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association, Iowa League of Cities, University of Iowa College of Law, and Northwest Iowa Municipal Clerk’s Association.
In 1976, Don was appointed to and has continually served as Spencer City Attorney. He is also presently serving as City Attorney for Cities of Linn Grove, Dickens, Orleans, Buffalo Center and Wahpeton, Iowa. In addition, current public law clients include Iowa Lakes Regional Water, Spencer Chamber of Commerce, Spencer Industries Foundation, Iowa Great Lakes Corridor of Opportunity, Clay County Community Foundation.
Don is very active in the community. At the First Congregational Church in Spencer, he is a Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees, was a Chairman of the Board of Deacons and a Moderator from 1994 to 1996 and Chairman of the Pastoral Selection Committee (1980 and 1996). Don is a past Board member of the Spencer Jaycees where he received the 1978 Distinguished Service Award.
He is a member of the Spencer United Way (Past President), Spencer Family YMCA (Past President, Chairman of the YMCA Building Committee Pool Addition, Executive Search Committee 1996), Spencer Area Jobs Trust (Founding Member), Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis (25-year member and Past President), Spencer Golf and Country Club (Past Board Member), Spencer Industries Foundation (Board Member), Spencer Chamber of Commerce (Member) and Spencer Mainstreet Company. He served as the Mock Trial Attorney Coach and Judge for Spencer Middle School for over ten years.
Don is a member or past member of General Practice, Law Practice Management, Real Estate, Probate and Trust, Litigation and Government Practice (Chairperson 1996-1997) Sections of the Iowa State Bar Association. He is also a member of the Clay County Iowa Inheritance Tax Appraisal Commission and Chairman of the Clay County Assessor’s Examining Board.
Don primarily practices municipal law, real estate, estate planning, and employment law.
Don is married to Judy. They have two adult children and three grandchildren. Don is a licensed pilot and enjoys tennis, hunting, boating and snow skiing in his spare time. He regularly lectures at professional organization gatherings on municipal and public law topics.