Debra Hockett-Clark

Attorney
Hockett Clark Law Firm

5550 Wild Rose Lane, Suite 4010, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

515-650-4608 | Email | Website

Married for 25 years and the mother of two boys and one girl, when Debra isn’t interacting with clients, attorneys and judges, with whom she has developed lasting professional relationships, she is often hoping for a strike at the bowling alley or cheering for her kid’s baseball teams.

A sports memorabilia collector, a passion she shares with her husband, Debra has met and received autographs from baseball greats Ted Williams, George Brett, Steve Garvey and Catfish Hunter, among countless others. An avid traveler, she has enjoyed trips to San Diego, New Orleans, the Grand Canyon, Bahamas and many other destinations. The best trip to date was a family vacation to Disney World. When Debra visits amusement parks—a favorite pastime—she makes a beeline for the rollercoaster. She enjoys movie marathons. Her favorite films include Raiders of the Lost Ark, Silence of the Lambs, The Sound of Music and Forrest Gump.
Hailing from a small town south of Des Moines, complete with one traffic light, a grocery store and laundromat, Debra’s family law practice mirrors her homegrown upbringing—family and community come first. Her father was a truck driver and her mother was a homemaker who instilled in her a strong work ethic. Debra was the first college graduate in her family. Her personal motto is: treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. She and her husband were licensed pre-adoptive foster parents for seven years.

In 1993, after graduating law school, Debra began her family law practice. Her philosophy is direct: every client deserves legal representation that is equal parts compassion and straightforwardness. Debra always ensures that her client’s needs are heard and respected. Often called a financial bean counter by colleagues due to her thoroughness, Debra is the sole practitioner, which means her clients only work with her. She views her family law practice as a facilitator allowing families to begin the healing process. Debra provides special counsel for divorcing parents to ensure that their children are not adversely affected by the separation.
Trained as a Family Law Mediator (2004) and currently a mediator for the Polk County District Court Mediation Program, Debra understands that clients come to her office during times of emotional turmoil. A firm supporter of Collaborative Law, Debra’s goal is to reach client resolution without going to court. She always provides an empathetic, accurate assessment of the facts to ensure each client arrives at the best possible solution.

Receiving her undergraduate degree from Grand View College in Des Moines in 1988, Debra graduated Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas in 1992. She has been a member of the Iowa State Bar Association since 1993. Additionally, she was the co-editor of the Family Law Newsletter for the Iowa State Bar Association from (1997 to 2002), and currently is co-chair of the Polk County Bar Association Solo and Small Practice committee, active in the PCBA Family Law committee and serves as a member of the ISBA Board of Governors since 2013.