Who are you?
My name is Blake Gibney. I was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After law school, I lived in Chicago for about four years and recently moved back to be closer to home. I am grateful for the opportunity to fight for the rights of Iowans.
Who do you represent?
I advocate for individuals who have suffered injuries or lost their lives due to the fault of others.
What led you to this work?
After law school, I started working as a lawyer, representing large corporations. Doing this work, I realized I was advancing the values of corporations at the expense of real people. I am grateful that my work now aligns with my own values, which recognizes the importance of accountability, fairness, and honesty.
What motivates you to do what you do?
Many of our clients are searching for answers and find the legal process to be overwhelming. I do my best to give my clients some peace of mind and try to take some of the stress off my clients so they can focus on healing or the grieving process.
What do you do when you are not working as an attorney?
I enjoy going to the gym, hiking in Iowa’s various state parks, and trying out new restaurants.
If you weren’t an attorney, what would you be doing?
When I was growing up, I thought that I wanted to be an architect. My grandpa used to build houses. I loved looking at the big blueprints that my grandpa had. I was always impressed with how much planning and detail went into construction. I try to approach my work now with the same level of planning and detail.
How do you relate to your clients?
Nothing frustrates me more than people who tell me what they think I want to hear. I try to be straightforward with my clients while also having empathy for the difficult circumstances they face due to injuries or a loss.
What are your challenges?
A challenge I face is finding the right balance between understanding my clients' situations and staying focused on the legal aspects of their cases. It’s important to me to have empathy for the challenges my clients face while also providing effective legal representation.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I like to say that I have been training to be a trial attorney since middle school because that’s when I joined my first mock trial team. RSH Legal attorneys Tim and Emily were my first coaches, so I have learned from the best!
What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part of my job is getting to know my clients. I enjoy learning about their stories and building trust with them. Understanding them better helps me do a better job of representing them and helping them with their legal needs.