Colleagues mourn loss of Waterloo attorney, association president

A 65-year-old Waterloo attorney and the president of the Iowa Association for Justice died Monday after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Tom Staack, a partner with Dutton, Braun, Staack and Hellman in Waterloo, was just elected as the association's 39th president last November. Staack practiced general law, including personal injury, product liability and medical malpractice.

“This is an unspeakable loss,” Brad Lint, executive director of the association, said. “Tom was beloved throughout our ranks and we are already missing him dearly. Tom was a relentless champion for the rights of injured Iowans. He devoted his life to protecting rights and righting wrongs, and he spurred others to do the same."

Lint said the members' thoughts and prayers go out to Staack's wife Deb and his daughters and their families, and to all his colleagues at Dutton, Braun.

Iowa Association of Justice President-Elect Pressley Henningsen said Staack was a passionate advocate for his clients and their families.

"He was one of Iowa's most accomplished courtroom attorneys and an inspiration to so many of his colleagues," Henningsen said. "Through his wisdom and commitment, Tom helped build this association to the powerful voice it is today. He leaves behind a deep legacy that we'll work tirelessly to honor and advance.”

Henningsen will fill out the balance of Staack's term until his term begins in November.

Staack received his bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa where he played varsity baseball and basketball, and received his juris doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1971. Upon graduation he joined Dutton, Braun in Waterloo. In 1973, he became a charter member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of Iowa, which is now Iowa Association for Justice, joined the association's board of governors in 1994 and became an officer in 2008.