Experience

Commitment

Advocacy

Practice Areas

Our People

frank_mitvalsky copy

Frank S. Mitvalsky

  • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

Fax: 319-364-1562

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Partner

Areas of Practice

Business & Commercial Law
Estate Planning
Family Law
Litigation & Appeals
Probate & Estate Administration
Real Estate Law

Bar Admissions

Iowa, 1968
U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 1968
U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 1978
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1989

Education

University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City, Iowa

raymond_stefani copy

Raymond R. Stefani II

  • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

Fax: 319-364-1562

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Manager, since 1984

Year Joined Organization:

1979

Areas of Practice

Dental Malpractice
Litigation & Appeals
Medical Malpractice
Products Liability Law
Real Estate Law
Workers’ Compensation Law

Bar Admissions

Iowa, 1979
U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 1979
U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 1979

Education

Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:

  • American Board of Trial Advocates, Member
  • Linn County Bar Association, Member 1979 – present
  • American Bar Association, Member Litigation Section
  • Iowa State Bar Association, Member Litigation Section-Civil Procedure Rules Committee, 1990-present
  • Iowa Title Guaranty Association, Member
  • Iowa Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Inc., Member
rick_stefani copy

Richard A. Stefani

  • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

Fax: 319-364-1562

Member and Firm President

Areas of Practice

  • Civil Litigation & Appeals
  • Medical Malpractice Defense
  • Products Liability Law
  • Drug and Medical Device Defense
  • Personal Injury Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation

 

Bar Admissions

  • Iowa, 1980
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 1980
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 1980
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1980

 

Education

  • Creighton University School of Law, JD, 1980
  • University of Iowa, BBA, 1976

 

Representative Cases:

Gretchen W. Thompson v. Ansell Healthcare Products, Inc., et al., 666 N.W.2d 620, 2003 WL 21071315, Prod.Liab.Rep. (CCH) P 16,633 (Iowa Ct. App. 2003)
John Doe, Jr., et al. v. Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Armour Pharmaceuticals, Inc. et al., 178 F.Supp.2d 1003 (S.D.IA 2001) aff’d 380 F.3d 399 (8th Cir. 2004)
Walter Johnson, et al. v. Harley Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc., et al., 680 N.W.2d 378, 2004 WL 370251 (Iowa Ct. App. 2004)
Francis Ahlberg et al., v. Chrysler Corporation and DaimlerChrysler Corporation, 481 F.3d 630 (8th Cir. 2007)
James Edwards v. Norman Smith, D.O., 758 N.W.2d 840, 2008 WL 3917626 (Iowa Ct. App. 2008)
Pooneh Glascock v. Linn County Emergency Medicine, P.C., 698 F.3d 695 (8th Cir. 2012)

 

Professional Associations and Memberships:

  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Fellow, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers
  • Iowa Defense Counsel Association, 1980 – present
    • Products Liability Committee, 1989 – present
    • Civil Jury Instructions Task Force, 1991
  • Defense Research Institute, 1999 – present
  • International Association of Defense Counsel, 2002 – present.
  • American Bar Association, 1980 – present
    • Litigation Section – Products, General Liability and Consumer Law Committee
  • Iowa State Bar Association, 1980 – present
    • Litigation Section, 1990-present
    • Professional Liability Insurance Committee, 1987-1990
  • Linn County Bar Association, 1980-present
    • Board of Governors 1988-91.
    • Ethics and Grievance Committee, 1990 – 2008
thomas_ochs

Thomas F. Ochs

  • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

Fax: 319-364-1562

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Member, since 1988

Year Joined Organization:

1988

Areas of Practice

Estate Planning
Family Law
Litigation & Appeals
Real Estate Law

Bar Admissions

Iowa, 1988
U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 1988
U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 1988
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1989

Education

Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa

Richard F. Mitvalsky

Richard F. Mitvalsky - Gray, Stefani & Mitvalsky, PLC

 

  • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

Fax: 319-364-1562

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Member

Assistant: Carol A. Brown

Areas of Practice

Divorce & Family Law
Child Custody & Care
Juvenile Law
Guardianships & Conservatorships
Guardian Ad Litem
Civil Trial
Business Law
Real Estate Law
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Collaborative Divorce Law

Bar Admissions

Iowa
U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa

Education

Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa, 1996
J.D. with Honors

Drake University School of Journalism & Mass Communications, Des Moines, Iowa, 1996
M.A.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1993
A.B.

Professional Associations and Memberships

National Association of Counsel for Children
Iowa Advisory Board

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

American Bar Association
Family Law, Real Estate & Probate Law, Business Law Divisions

Iowa Bar Association
Family & Juvenile Law Committee

Linn County Bar Association Board of Governors

Linn County Bar Association
Family Law and Bench-Bar Committees

Linn County Juvenile Law Group

Iowa Supreme Court Advisory Committee, 2009 – Present
Rules on Juvenile Procedure

Iowa Supreme Court Advisory Committee, 2006 – 2007
Rules on Juvenile Procedure

Iowa Supreme Court Advisory Committee, 2002 – 2003
Juvenile Court Best Practices

Iowa Court Improvement Project
Child Welfare Stakeholders Panel and Due Process Task Force (past)

Pro Bono Activities

Kids First Law Center Board of Directors
National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library Board of Directors
Linn County Community Empowerment Governance Board
KCCK-88.3 Citizens Advisory Committee
Forty Under 40 Corridor Business Journal 2007 Award Recipient
Iowa State High School Swimming Official (past)
YMCA Board of Directors (past)

rachel_riley copy

Rachel R. McCrate

  • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

Fax: 319-364-1562

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Member

Areas of Practice:

Divorce & Family Law
Mediation
Child Custody & Care
Juvenile Law
Adoptions
Protective Orders
Guardian Ad Litem
Guardianships and Conservatorships
Antenuptial Agreements

Education:

University of Missouri Columbia School of Law, Columbia, Missouri, 2010
University of Missouri School of Journalism, Columbia, Missouri, 2007

Bar Admissions:

Iowa
Missouri

Professional Associations and Memberships:

President of the Board of Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa
Member of Mediation Advisory Committee of the Sixth Judicial District
Iowa Bar Association – Family & Juvenile Law Committee
Missouri Bar Association
Linn County Bar Association
Linn Law Club
The Dean Mason Ladd American Inn of Court
American Bar Association

Corinne Butkowski

Corinne R. Butkowski

  • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

Fax: 319-364-1562

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Member

Areas of Practice

  • Insurance Defense
  • Civil Litigation
  • Personal Injury
      •  

      Professional Associations and Memberships

      • American Bar Association
      • Iowa Bar Association (Litigation Committee)
      • Linn County Bar Association
      • U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa
      • Board of Governors (past)
      • Attendance Committee (Chair)
      • Board Nominating Committee
      • Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers (Fellow)
      • Iowa Defense Counsel Association
      • Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys
      • Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court (Social Chair)
          •  

          Community Service

          • St. Pius X Church
            • Parish Pastoral Council (past)
            • Liturgy Commission (Chair)

              •  

            • Wolf Creek HOA (VP and Secretary)
    Matthew J. Nagle

    Matthew J. Nagle

    • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

    Fax: 319-364-1562

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    Partner

    Year Joined Organization:

    2024

    Areas of Practice

    General Practice
    Business and Commerical Litigation
    Insurance Defense
    Workers’ Compensation Law

    Bar Admissions

    Iowa, 1987
    U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 1987
    U.S. District Court Souther District of Iowa, 1987
    Illinois

    Education

    University of Iowa, J.D., 1987
    Loras College, B.A., 1984

    Frank S. Mitvalsky
    frank_mitvalsky copy

    Frank S. Mitvalsky

    • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

    Fax: 319-364-1562

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    Partner

    Areas of Practice

    Business & Commercial Law
    Estate Planning
    Family Law
    Litigation & Appeals
    Probate & Estate Administration
    Real Estate Law

    Bar Admissions

    Iowa, 1968
    U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 1968
    U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 1978
    U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1989

    Education

    University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City, Iowa

    Raymond R. Stefani
    raymond_stefani copy

    Raymond R. Stefani II

    • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

    Fax: 319-364-1562

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    Manager, since 1984

    Year Joined Organization:

    1979

    Areas of Practice

    Dental Malpractice
    Litigation & Appeals
    Medical Malpractice
    Products Liability Law
    Real Estate Law
    Workers’ Compensation Law

    Bar Admissions

    Iowa, 1979
    U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 1979
    U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 1979

    Education

    Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa

    PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:

    • American Board of Trial Advocates, Member
    • Linn County Bar Association, Member 1979 – present
    • American Bar Association, Member Litigation Section
    • Iowa State Bar Association, Member Litigation Section-Civil Procedure Rules Committee, 1990-present
    • Iowa Title Guaranty Association, Member
    • Iowa Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Inc., Member
    Richard A. Stefani
    rick_stefani copy

    Richard A. Stefani

    • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

    Fax: 319-364-1562

    Member and Firm President

    Areas of Practice

    • Civil Litigation & Appeals
    • Medical Malpractice Defense
    • Products Liability Law
    • Drug and Medical Device Defense
    • Personal Injury Litigation
    • Commercial Litigation

     

    Bar Admissions

    • Iowa, 1980
    • U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 1980
    • U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 1980
    • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1980

     

    Education

    • Creighton University School of Law, JD, 1980
    • University of Iowa, BBA, 1976

     

    Representative Cases:

    Gretchen W. Thompson v. Ansell Healthcare Products, Inc., et al., 666 N.W.2d 620, 2003 WL 21071315, Prod.Liab.Rep. (CCH) P 16,633 (Iowa Ct. App. 2003)
    John Doe, Jr., et al. v. Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Armour Pharmaceuticals, Inc. et al., 178 F.Supp.2d 1003 (S.D.IA 2001) aff’d 380 F.3d 399 (8th Cir. 2004)
    Walter Johnson, et al. v. Harley Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc., et al., 680 N.W.2d 378, 2004 WL 370251 (Iowa Ct. App. 2004)
    Francis Ahlberg et al., v. Chrysler Corporation and DaimlerChrysler Corporation, 481 F.3d 630 (8th Cir. 2007)
    James Edwards v. Norman Smith, D.O., 758 N.W.2d 840, 2008 WL 3917626 (Iowa Ct. App. 2008)
    Pooneh Glascock v. Linn County Emergency Medicine, P.C., 698 F.3d 695 (8th Cir. 2012)

     

    Professional Associations and Memberships:

    • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
    • Fellow, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers
    • Iowa Defense Counsel Association, 1980 – present
      • Products Liability Committee, 1989 – present
      • Civil Jury Instructions Task Force, 1991
    • Defense Research Institute, 1999 – present
    • International Association of Defense Counsel, 2002 – present.
    • American Bar Association, 1980 – present
      • Litigation Section – Products, General Liability and Consumer Law Committee
    • Iowa State Bar Association, 1980 – present
      • Litigation Section, 1990-present
      • Professional Liability Insurance Committee, 1987-1990
    • Linn County Bar Association, 1980-present
      • Board of Governors 1988-91.
      • Ethics and Grievance Committee, 1990 – 2008
    Thomas F. Ochs
    thomas_ochs

    Thomas F. Ochs

    • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

    Fax: 319-364-1562

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    Member, since 1988

    Year Joined Organization:

    1988

    Areas of Practice

    Estate Planning
    Family Law
    Litigation & Appeals
    Real Estate Law

    Bar Admissions

    Iowa, 1988
    U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 1988
    U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa, 1988
    U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1989

    Education

    Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa

    Richard F. Mitvalsky

    Richard F. Mitvalsky

    Richard F. Mitvalsky - Gray, Stefani & Mitvalsky, PLC

     

    • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

    Fax: 319-364-1562

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    Member

    Assistant: Carol A. Brown

    Areas of Practice

    Divorce & Family Law
    Child Custody & Care
    Juvenile Law
    Guardianships & Conservatorships
    Guardian Ad Litem
    Civil Trial
    Business Law
    Real Estate Law
    Wills, Trusts & Estates
    Collaborative Divorce Law

    Bar Admissions

    Iowa
    U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa

    Education

    Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa, 1996
    J.D. with Honors

    Drake University School of Journalism & Mass Communications, Des Moines, Iowa, 1996
    M.A.

    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1993
    A.B.

    Professional Associations and Memberships

    National Association of Counsel for Children
    Iowa Advisory Board

    National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

    American Bar Association
    Family Law, Real Estate & Probate Law, Business Law Divisions

    Iowa Bar Association
    Family & Juvenile Law Committee

    Linn County Bar Association Board of Governors

    Linn County Bar Association
    Family Law and Bench-Bar Committees

    Linn County Juvenile Law Group

    Iowa Supreme Court Advisory Committee, 2009 – Present
    Rules on Juvenile Procedure

    Iowa Supreme Court Advisory Committee, 2006 – 2007
    Rules on Juvenile Procedure

    Iowa Supreme Court Advisory Committee, 2002 – 2003
    Juvenile Court Best Practices

    Iowa Court Improvement Project
    Child Welfare Stakeholders Panel and Due Process Task Force (past)

    Pro Bono Activities

    Kids First Law Center Board of Directors
    National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library Board of Directors
    Linn County Community Empowerment Governance Board
    KCCK-88.3 Citizens Advisory Committee
    Forty Under 40 Corridor Business Journal 2007 Award Recipient
    Iowa State High School Swimming Official (past)
    YMCA Board of Directors (past)

    Rachel R. McCrate
    rachel_riley copy

    Rachel R. McCrate

    • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

    Fax: 319-364-1562

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    Member

    Areas of Practice:

    Divorce & Family Law
    Mediation
    Child Custody & Care
    Juvenile Law
    Adoptions
    Protective Orders
    Guardian Ad Litem
    Guardianships and Conservatorships
    Antenuptial Agreements

    Education:

    University of Missouri Columbia School of Law, Columbia, Missouri, 2010
    University of Missouri School of Journalism, Columbia, Missouri, 2007

    Bar Admissions:

    Iowa
    Missouri

    Professional Associations and Memberships:

    President of the Board of Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa
    Member of Mediation Advisory Committee of the Sixth Judicial District
    Iowa Bar Association – Family & Juvenile Law Committee
    Missouri Bar Association
    Linn County Bar Association
    Linn Law Club
    The Dean Mason Ladd American Inn of Court
    American Bar Association

    Corinne R. Butkowski
    Corinne Butkowski

    Corinne R. Butkowski

    • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

    Fax: 319-364-1562

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

    Member

    Areas of Practice

    • Insurance Defense
    • Civil Litigation
    • Personal Injury
        •  

        Professional Associations and Memberships

        • American Bar Association
        • Iowa Bar Association (Litigation Committee)
        • Linn County Bar Association
        • U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa
        • Board of Governors (past)
        • Attendance Committee (Chair)
        • Board Nominating Committee
        • Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers (Fellow)
        • Iowa Defense Counsel Association
        • Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys
        • Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court (Social Chair)
            •  

            Community Service

            • St. Pius X Church
              • Parish Pastoral Council (past)
              • Liturgy Commission (Chair)

                •  

              • Wolf Creek HOA (VP and Secretary)
      Matthew J. Nagle
      Matthew J. Nagle

      Matthew J. Nagle

      • 319-364-1535319-364-1535

      Fax: 319-364-1562

      Cedar Rapids, Iowa

      Partner

      Year Joined Organization:

      2024

      Areas of Practice

      General Practice
      Business and Commerical Litigation
      Insurance Defense
      Workers’ Compensation Law

      Bar Admissions

      Iowa, 1987
      U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, 1987
      U.S. District Court Souther District of Iowa, 1987
      Illinois

      Education

      University of Iowa, J.D., 1987
      Loras College, B.A., 1984

      Our Firm

      Gray, Stefani & Mitvalsky, PLC was established in 1938 by William O. Gray, a former FBI agent and State Highway Commissioner, and B.D. Silliman, a distinguished business lawyer and lobbyist. Our founders developed a firm culture emphasizing dedication, integrity, professionalism and sound judgment based upon reasoned decision-making.

      Our attorneys remain committed to these principles today. We have devoted more than seven decades to independent thinking and prioritizing close relationships with our clients through direct exchange and interaction with our clients.

      We strive for accessibility, efficiency and attentiveness in our professional relationships. Support personnel take a friendly, knowledgeable and active role with our clients, and have direct, daily contact with our lawyers. We collaborate in an engaging work environment that encourages multiple viewpoints and illuminates legal issues to achieve the best result.

      Gray, Stefani & Mitvalsky is AV-rated*, the highest designation under Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system. The attorneys at Gray, Stefani & Mitvalsky can be reached at 319-364-1535 or by filling out the contact form on this site.

      *AV-rated is a registered certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.

      Contact Us

        Contact the Attorneys at
        Gray, Stefani & Mitvalsky

        At Gray, Stefani & Mitvalsky, PLC, we strive for accessibility, efficiency and attentiveness in our professional relationships. To discuss your case with an attorney at our Cedar Rapids, Iowa, office, please call 319-364-1535 or fill out the contact form below.

        Gray, Stefani & Mitvalsky, PLC

        425 Second Street SE, Suite 700
        Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
        Phone: 319-364-1535
        Fax: 319-364-1562

        Personal Information

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        Frank Mitvalsky

        Frank S. Mitvalsky

        • 319-364-1535319-364-1535
        Ray Stefani

        Raymond R. Stefani II

        • 319-364-1535319-364-1535
        Rick Stefani

        Richard A. Stefani

        • 319-364-1535319-364-1535
        Tom Ochs

        Thomas F. Ochs

        • 319-364-1535319-364-1535
        Rich Mitvalsky

        Richard F. Mitvalsky

        • 319-364-1535319-364-1535
        Rachel McCrate

        Rachel R. McCrate

        • 319-364-1535319-364-1535
        Corinne R. Butkowski

        Corinne R. Butkowski

        • 319-364-1535319-364-1535
        Matthew J. Nagle

        Matthew J. Nagle

        • 319-364-1535319-364-1535