Jill Zwagerman
Partner
Phone: (515) 883-2000
E-mail: jzwagerman@newkirklaw.com
Employment, Discrimination, and Civil Rights lawyer Jill Zwagerman was born and raised in Sibley, Iowa. She attended Drake University where she ran Division I track, was a team captain, and earned a degree in broadcast news. After working in human resources for two years, Jill returned to Drake University where she earned her law degree in 2004.
Jill has worked with wonderful clients over the course of her career. She has helped clients earn high dollar verdicts and settlements, including an $11.8 million verdict in a sexual harassment case and a $6.5 million settlement for gender discrimination in sports cases.
“Every person who walks through my door has experienced something pretty bad. They would not be seeking the help of a lawyer otherwise. My goal is to work with every client to find the best possible solution under the law. Sometimes that means litigation and sometimes that means finding creative solutions to make your employment better. Not every case is worth a million dollars, but it is still important. If I can help you, I will.”
Jill is currently a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), Eighth Circuit NELA Board, Iowa NELA, Iowa Bar Association, Iowa Association for Justice, and Polk County Women Attorneys. She is also a member of Blackstone Inn of Court. Jill is focusing much of her practice on helping employees who have been harassed and discriminated against based upon their gender. Jill has a special interest in helping those who have been discriminated against in athletics, representing coaches and students across the country.
Jill lives in Polk City, Iowa with her husband Scott and three children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, and boating at Okoboji.
Practice Areas:
- Title IX and Gender Bias in Athletics
- Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault
- Equal Pay
- Gender Discrimination
- Disability Discrimination
- Age Discrimination
- Negotiation of Separation Agreements for Professionals
- Negotiations for all employment areas
- Trial Practice
Bar Admissions:
State of Iowa (2004)
U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa (2004)
U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa (2004)
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit (2005)
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan (2018)
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit (2018)
Education:
- Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa, J.D. with Honors
- Order of the Barristers
- Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, B.A. in Broadcast News
- Drake University Women's Track Team Captain
- Student Athletic Advisory Board Co-Chair
Speaking Engagements:
NELA 8th Circuit April 2016 “Background Checks”
ISBA Labor & Employment Seminar October 2017 “The Art of a Closing Argument”
IAJ Annual Convention November 2017 “Emotional Distress Damages”
IAJ Employment Seminar February 2018 “The Bermuda Triangle of Work Comp, FMLA and ADA”
NELA 8th Circuit Conference April 2018 “Implicit Bias in Judges and Juries”
Polk County Bar Association April 2018, “ADA, FMLA Work Comp”
Midwest Title IX Summit May 2018 “Sports and Discrimination Title IX in High Schools”
National Employment Lawyers Association Annual Convention June 2018 “Champion Plaintiffs”
Iowa Ideas Conference September 2018 “#MeToo”