About Elissa
Elissa Holman: Experienced Legal Counsel in Des Moines, Iowa
Elissa Holman is a top attorney recognized by Best Attorney USA in the practice areas of Education Law, Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, and Privacy and Data Security Law. Elissa, who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2026. This prestigious recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elissa is held by other leading legal professionals in the same geographic and legal practice area. She is a highly successful and knowledgeable professional with nearly two decades of experience providing strategic legal counsel and advocacy across a broad range of complex legal matters.
At Dickinson Bradshaw, Elissa’s practice is focused primarily on Employment Law and Civil Litigation, offering a unique blend of legal expertise and business acumen. Her distinctive background—having previously spent 16 years as a Senior Vice President in the HR arena at Bank of America, coupled with her legal practice—allows her to leverage her extensive knowledge of business, human resources, and legal principles to help clients proactively address potential issues, preventing costly litigation and significant headaches in the future. Elissa doesn't just represent clients; she develops tailored strategies to mitigate risk and ensure successful outcomes.
Before joining Dickinson Bradshaw, Elissa honed her litigation skills for three years, handling cases in Employment Law, Personal Injury, and Defamation Law. Her consistent excellence has been recognized annually since 2021 by Thomson Reuters as a “Rising Star of the Great Plains,” demonstrating her commitment to providing exceptional legal representation. This commitment extends beyond courtroom advocacy; Elissa is dedicated to understanding her clients’ businesses and goals to develop solutions that align with their strategic objectives.
Prior to her legal career, Elissa's leadership journey at Bank of America was marked by significant achievements in leadership development, executive coaching, training and development, and the strategic direction and execution of HR operational processes and services for over 200,000 employees globally. Furthermore, she consulted for Fortune 500 companies, specializing in optimizing the customer and associate experience – a perspective that significantly informs her approach to legal representation. Elissa’s experience is truly multifaceted, offering a depth of insight rarely found in traditional legal professionals.
Elissa's expertise extends to navigating the complexities of employment law, contract law, and litigation, and she consistently assists clients in achieving favorable resolutions through strategic negotiation, effective litigation, and proactive legal counsel. She excels in providing comprehensive legal solutions, particularly in areas requiring a deep understanding of human resources management and business operations.
Practice Areas
- Education Law
- Labor and Employment Law - Management
- Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
- Privacy and Data Security Law
Awards & Recognition
- Recognized in Best Attorney USA: Education Law
- Recognized in Best Attorney USA: Labor and Employment Law - Management
- Recognized in Best Attorney USA: Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Recognized in Best Attorney USA: Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
- Recognized in Best Attorney USA: Privacy and Data Security Law
- “Rising Star of the Great Plains” – Thomson Reuters (2021 - 2025)
Education & Credentials
- City: Des Moines
- State: Iowa
- Country: United States
Bar Admissions
Information regarding Bar Admissions is not currently available.
