Verne Lawyer was associated professionally with Des Moines, Iowa, where he maintained a legal practice in the Fleming Building. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and was identified in fraternity records as a Des Moines alumnus. He died on March 21, 1993.
Lawyer practiced law in Des Moines for approximately seven decades, working with Lawyer, Lawyer and Associates from 1923 until 1993. His practice included appellate and trial representation before Iowa courts and federal courts. In 1966, Iowa Attorney General Lawrence Scalise employed Lawyer to investigate the feasibility of an antitrust action seeking treble damages from companies that had sold asphalt to the State of Iowa and its political subdivisions. Lex Hawkins was authorized to assist him in September 1966, and their investigation led to litigation against Union Asphalt & Roadoils, Inc. and other defendants. The State of Iowa later enacted legislation validating the attorneys' employment and providing for determination and payment of their fees. The federal litigation resulted in reported proceedings concerning the attorneys' compensation, including an Eighth Circuit decision in 1969. Lawyer continued to represent clients in Iowa appellate matters, including appearances before the Iowa Supreme Court. He also served the State of Iowa as a special assistant attorney general and was appointed to the Iowa Aeronautics Commission, on which he held a term ending June 30, 1979.
Investigated and helped develop the State of Iowa's antitrust litigation against asphalt companies, working with Lex Hawkins on a treble-damages action involving the State of Iowa and its political subdivisions.
Represented the State of Iowa in litigation concerning antitrust claims against Union Asphalt & Roadoils, Inc. and other defendants; the resulting federal proceedings included an award of attorney fees affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Lawyer was active in the American Trial Lawyers Association and was elected to represent Iowa on the organization's International Committee. He was also associated with Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
