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About The Firm

Pickens, Barnes & Abernathy, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was founded as Pickens & Barnes in January, 1974, by James F. Pickens and Minor Barnes. The name was changed to Pickens, Barnes & Abernathy when Terry J. Abernathy became a Partner in 1977. Matthew G. Novak joined the firm in 1982 and was made a Partner in 1985. Stephanie L. Hinz joined the firm as associate in 1997 and became a Partner in 2003. Bradley J. Kaspar joined the firm as an associate in 2014 and was made a Partner in 2019.

Although the law firm is relatively small, it represents major insurance companies, corporations, and financial institutions. Its excellent reputation in the Iowa legal community was built on almost three decades’ work in civil litigation and appeals in state and federal courts. The offices of Pickens, Barnes & Abernathy are located near downtown Cedar Rapids, convenient to the state and federal courthouses and municipal offices.

Over the years, four members of the firm have been honored by being elected President of the Bar Association of Linn County, Iowa.  One member has been appointed U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Iowa. Four members of the firm have been elected to the Iowa Sixth Judicial Nominating Commission which selects nominees for the Iowa District Court bench. Two firm members have served on the Iowa Supreme Court Nominating Commission which selects nominees to the Iowa Supreme Court and Iowa Court of Appeals. Members of the firm have chaired state and local ethics and grievance committees and served as President of the Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court. Current partners have been elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Association of Defense Counsel, and the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers. Firm members also belong to the Iowa Defense Counsel Association and have served on its Board of Directors.