Mark R. Gray
Mark was born and raised in Ankeny and has practiced here since 1989. He practices primarily in Estate Planning (wills, power of attorney, living wills, trusts), Probate (decedent's Estates), Trust Administration, Real Estate (residential and development), and Corporate Law (small business representation, including corporations and limited liability companies).
BIOGRAPHY
Mark is active in the Probate Section of the Iowa State Bar Association, and speaks regularly on the subjects of estate planning and probate. Mark has successfully planned for medium to very large estates, resolved complicated and potentially expensive family disputes and tax issues, and protected families and small businesses from various legal problems. He graduated from Northeast Missouri State University (now known as Truman Univerisity) in 1983, and from The John Marshall Law School in 1986.
Awards and Recognitions
- Received the State Chair Award from the Iowa Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve(2021).
- Recognized as a Patriotic Employer by the Office of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (2020)
- Selected for The Best Law Firms in Iowa by U.S. News & World Report (2020- 2022)
- Selected for inclusion in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, 2011-2013 Editions as a Leading Individual Lawyer in Real Estate.
- AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. (2012-2022)
- Selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America as a top-ranked attorney in Real Estate Law (2016-2024).
- Selected for Super Lawyers top rated estate planning & probate attorney (2016-2023).
- Selected for Outstanding Section Chair Award, ISBA Probate, Trust and Estate Law Section, 2017-2018
Work Experience
- Founding Member, Gray Hodges & Associates (formerly, Gray Thompson & Associates), 2016
- Co-Chair: Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C., Estates, Wills & Trusts Practice Group, 2014-2015
- Chair: Whitfield & Eddy P.L.C., Estates, Wills & Trusts Practice Group, 2002-2013
- Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C., Professional Recruitment Committee, 2008-2014
- Member, Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C., 2001-2015
- Ankeny City Council Member, 1998-2001
- Solo Practitioner, Mark R. Gray, Esq., 1993-2001
- Partner, Maggert & Gray, 1989-1993
- Practiced law in Chicago area, Illinois, 1986-1989
Professional Activities and Affiliations
- Charter Member, Iowa Academy of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Des Moines Estate Planners
- Iowa State Bar Association
- Section Member: General Practice; Probate, Trust & Estate Law; Real Estate & Title Law
- Section Council Member, Probate, Trust & Estate Planning Law, 2014 - 2020
- Section Council Member, General Practice, 1993 - 1999
- Section Chair, Probate, Trust and Estate Law, 2017-2018
- Section Chair, General Practice, 1996-1997
- Section Editor, General Practice Newsletter, 1990-2004
- Polk County Bar Association
Civic & Volunteer Activities
- Ankeny City Council (1998 - 2001)
- Ankeny Economic Development Corporation, (2008 - present)
- Ankeny Chamber of Commerce (Public Affairs Committee, 2005 - present)
- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Human Resources Committee, 2010 - 2012)
- Metro Waste Authority (Board of Directors, 1998 - 2001)
Select Publications and Presentations
- Iowa State Bar Association:
- "Transition Planning in the Face of Uncertainty," 2024
- "The Intersection of Probate and Real Estate," 2023
- "Fiduciary Ethics: Representing Fiduciaries of Estates and Trusts," 2018
- "Dealing with Uncooperative Fiduciaries," 2016
- "Nuts and Bolts of Revocable Trusts," 2014
- "Planning with Prenuptial Agreements," 2008
- "Ethics," 2006
- "Probate," 2006
- Solo and Small Firm Conference Presentations:
- "Bringing It Home - Fee Agreements and Collections", 2014
- "How To Bill" and "Probate Law", 2010
- "Estate Planning with Blended Families and Prenuptial Agreements," 2009
- "Revocable Trusts: Spousal Share and Homestead," 2006
- Bridge the Gap Conference Presentations.
- "Estate Planning Primer," 2009
- "Will Preparation," 2007
- Iowa Association for Justice:
- "Basic Skills Course for Newly Admitted Attorneys," 2010, 2014
- "Iowa Probate," 2012-2013
- "Probate: Nuts & Bolts," 2011
- Des Moines Estate Planners:
- "Portability and Other New Developments in Estate Planning," 2015
- "Non-Spouse Rollovers," 2007
- "Revocable Trusts: Spousal Share and Homestead," 2006
- National Business Institute:
- "Maintaining an Ethical Balance in Probate Practice," 2010-2013
- "Determining if Spouse's Elective Share is a Reasonable Option," 2010-2013
- "Uncovering the Laws of Intestacy and How They May Apply," 2010-2013
- "Litigating the Case in Probate Court," 2013
- "Putting the Case to Rest: Closing the Estate," 2013
- "Estate Planning Basics," 2006, 2009
- "Ethical Issues in Estate Planning," 2007
- "The Probate Process from Start to Finish in Iowa," 2002-2004, 2006
- "How to Draft Effective Wills and Trusts for Your Clients in Iowa," 2005
- "Iowa Probate: Beyond the Basics," 2004
- "Advanced Estate Planning Techniques in Iowa," 2004
- Creighton Law Review: "Minimizing Professional Risk in the Representation of Estates and Trusts." Vol 50, Issue 4, 2017.
- AGC of Iowa:
- "Business Succession Planning," 2013.
- Ankeny Public Library Adult Education:
- "Estate Planning Concepts," 2015
- Cross Wealth Management, Estate Planning Seminar, 2014
- University of Iowa College of Law:
- "Practical Strategies for Avoiding Ethical Grievances and Legal Malpractice Claims When Serving as Attorney For a Fiduciary," 2011
- Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).
- "Death Tax Is Far From Dead," 2010
- Mid-Iowa Estate and Financial Planners:
- "Revocable Trusts: Spousal Share and Homestead," 2007