OUR HISTORY
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Our founder, Will J. Hayek, was born in 1896 in Goosetown, the Czech immigrant neighborhood of Iowa City. He served in World War I and put himself through college and law school at the University of Iowa. In 1926 he opened a law practice in downtown Iowa City. Will led the local National Guard, served again in World War II, and retired as a Brigadier General. He practiced law until his death in 1982.
John W. Hayek was born in Iowa City in 1941. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, John joined his father in 1966. In addition to a 48-year general practice, he also served as First Assistant County Attorney for Johnson County, City Attorney for the City of Iowa City, and Special Counsel to the City of Iowa City for Urban Renewal. John led our firm and devoted significant time to the legal community until his death in 2014.​
C. Peter Hayek was born in Iowa City in 1944. A graduate of Stanford University and the University of Iowa College of Law, he did several tours in Vietnam, was active in the Navy Reserves, and retired as a Captain. He joined his father and brother in 1973. After a 33-year general practice, Pete retired in 2006 and died in 2021.
David E. Brown was born in Waukon, Iowa in 1949. After receiving undergraduate, masters, and law degrees from the University of Iowa, David was Assistant City Attorney for the City of Iowa City until 1987, when he joined the firm. After a 35-year general practice, David retired in 2015.
Other attorneys have come and gone, but Hayek, Moreland & Smith, LLP has always operated from Washington Street in downtown Iowa City. We remain small by choice. Our attorneys and staff provide quality legal services at a reasonable price, and we are active throughout our community.