Lane & Waterman LLP, has announced Ian Russell as the Davenport firm’s newest managing partner. He succeeds Michael Byrne, who has held the role from 2021 until last year.
Mr. Russell was elected in December by the firm’s partners. He brings more than 20 years of experience in commercial litigation, medical malpractice defense, and personal injury. He also counsels clients and provides analysis of issues involving media and first amendment law, election issues, and aviation matters.
Mr. Byrne, who will continue to practice law in an of counsel role at the firm, said in a news release “Lane & Waterman has talented and hard-working attorneys. Ian is a skilled attorney and highly respected, both within and outside of Lane & Waterman and has the talents to lead the firm.”
Mr. Russell is active in the legal community at the state and national level including. He has served as president of the Iowa State Bar Association in 2023-2024 when it celebrated its 150th anniversary.
Ten years earlier, he was president of the Iowa State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (2013-14). He was inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates in 2024. In addition, he was named a Super Lawyers Great Plains Rising Star in 2014 and in 2019 was named to The Best Lawyers in America list for Personal Injury Litigation.
In a news release, Mr. Russell applauded Mr. Byrne’s leadership. “Lane & Waterman is better because of Mike’s leadership. His guidance helped Lane & Waterman grow its practice and continue to recruit talented lawyers. We will miss his steadiness, intellect and insight. We wish him well in this well-deserved transition.”
Community involvement
Mr. Russell, a native Iowan, calls the Quad Cities home. He is active with several community nonprofits as a board or committee member. They include the Downtown Davenport Partnership, Family Resources, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, and Friends of the Davenport Library.
He has also been active in politics working as campaign treasurer for a U.S. Congressional campaign. He is on the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce’s Business Advocacy Council. It lobbies on behalf of the Quad Cities on the local, state, and national level.
“Lane & Waterman will continue to be the preeminent law firm in the Quad Cities serving clients throughout Iowa and Western Illinois,” he said in the release. “It is an honor to be elected by my peers to help lead this firm. I look forward to helping grow our practice and firm over the next several years.”
Mr. Byrne will continue with Lane & Waterman, where he began his career in 1986. For nearly 40 years, he has practiced primarily in the areas of health care law, general corporate, business law, professional corporations, and employment related matters.
Since 2013, he has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for Health Care Law, Insurance Law, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law.
He served on the Board of Governors for the Iowa State Bar Association (2009-2013), as a member of the Iowa Supreme Court Board of Professional Ethics and Conduct (1994-2003), a member of the Iowa Board of Medicine (2000-2004), and president of the Iowa Society of Healthcare Attorneys (2003-2004).
He is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and the Iowa Society of Healthcare Attorneys as well as a board member for the Scott County Catholic Schools and a past trustee and Finance Council member at St. Paul the Apostle Church, Davenport.
