About Our Firm

Farnsworth Law PLC

Learn About Our History and Experience

Thomas D. Farnsworth founded Farnsworth Law PLC to provide dedicated legal representation to individuals across Eastern Iowa. His practice focuses exclusively on criminal defense, including OWI defense, domestic assault cases, and student representation. He wanted to build a firm that prioritized quality over volume, ensuring that every client received a highly personalized and strategic defense. He believed that clients should have confidence that the attorney they hired would personally handle their case, be available for meetings, and provide clear, direct communication throughout the legal process. With a commitment to protecting the rights and futures of his clients, he established Farnsworth Law PLC to deliver high-quality, client-centered representation.



Thomas has held significant roles within the Iowa legal community. He served as Chair of the Criminal Core Group for the Iowa Association for Justice until 2021 and remained an active member as he shifted his focus to his family and community. His leadership in this role required a vote of confidence from the statewide membership of the Criminal Law Section of the Iowa Association for Justice.


Thomas also serves as one of two elected attorney members on the District Associate and Magistrate Selection Committee of Johnson County, a position to which he was elected by his fellow Johnson County attorneys in 2015 and has served continuously since. Additionally, he was elected to a six-year term (2018-2024) as one of five attorney members on the District Judicial Selection Committee in Iowa’s Sixth Judicial District, representing Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Tama Counties. He is proud of his service on these committees, which are fundamental to Iowa’s merit-based judicial selection system. These committees recommend judicial candidates to the Governor of Iowa for appointment to the bench.


Education

University of Iowa, B.A., Finance, 2003

University of Iowa, J.D., 2006


Areas of Practice:

Criminal Law 

Thomas practices primarily in the field of Criminal Law. 


Admitted to Practice:

Iowa, 2007

A man in a suit and tie is standing in a courtroom.

Protecting Your Rights

Eastern Iowa criminal defense law firm Farnsworth Law PLC is here to protect your rights. Since 2006, Thomas Farnsworth has defended people from all walks of life in the legal system.


Education:


University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 2006

  • Prosecuting Intern for Johnson County, Iowa
  • Student Member of the Panel on Student Conduct 2005 


University of Iowa, B.A., Finance, 2003

  • Tippie College of Business Honor Code Developer
  • Judicial Board Member

Legal Work Experience Prior to Law School

Mr. Farnsworth earned his law degree from the University of Iowa in two and a half years. While in law school Mr. Farnsworth was certified by the Iowa Supreme Court to prosecute cases for Johnson County, Iowa. Before entering law school Mr. Farnsworth clerked at a large Iowa City firm. Additionally, Mr. Farnsworth worked for the Iowa Department of Corrections.


Service to the Legal Community


Thomas’ service to the local and state legal community has resulted in numerous peer elections onto legal committees. Thomas speaks yearly on such topics as the intersection of criminal law and other areas of law. 


Johnson County Magistrate Appointing Commission  (January 1, 2015 to present)


  • A six-member commission comprising of two lawyers, three Johnson County Citizens and one district Court Judge. One of two lawyers in Johnson County voted into the position by Johnson County Bar Members.
  • The two attorneys are selected by a vote open to all practicing Johnson County attorneys in good standing. 
  • Duties include
  • Selection of magistrates upon a judicial vacancy
  • Selection of a slate of three candidates to fill District Associate Vacancy in Johnson County Iowa. The District Judges then select of the three slated candidates.


Sixth Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission  (February 1, 2018 to January 31, 2024)


  • One of five elected attorneys from Johnson, Linn, Benton, Jones, Iowa, Tama to serve as a commissioner to appoint a slate of two District Court candidates to the Governor of the State of Iowa.
  • Commission appointment is made by a vote of Sixth Judicial Bar members in good standing.

 

Iowa Association For Justice

                

  • Former Chair of the Criminal Core Group of the Iowa Association for Justice
  • Former Executive Member of the Iowa Association for Justice
  • Former Board of Governor of the Iowa Association for Justice


Member of the Following Organizations

  • Member of the Following Organizations
  • Member of the Iowa Association for Justice
  • Member of the Iowa State Bar Association
  • Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Member of the Johnson County Magistrate Nominating Commission
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