John G. De Koster
John has engaged in the general practice of law for over 35 years. He spends a majority of his time addressing estate planning and probate matters, real estate law, and tax planning and preparation. Before joining De Koster & De Koster, he practiced for four years in the Office of the Solicitor of the United States Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C.
John obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Colorado School of Law graduating in the top 10% of his class and awarded Order of the Coif. While in law school he worked in the legal aid clinic representing criminal defendants and clerked for the Denver firm of Lohf & Barnhill.
Before attending the University of Colorado School of Law, John graduated with distinction and honors from Iowa State University with a major in political science and a minor in history. While at Iowa State University he sang in the University Chorus and participated in residence hall student government.
John is an active member of the American Reformed Church in Hull, Iowa, where he has served as both an elder and deacon and has taught adult Sunday school classes. He is the president of the Hull Community Foundation, a board member of the Hull Industrial Development Corporation and serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Hope Cemetery Association. In his free time he golfs, follows the Cleveland Indians and Iowa State Cyclones and travels, when time permits.
Bar Admissions:
– Iowa State Courts
– Supreme Court of the United States
Professional Associations and Memberships:
– Sioux County Bar Association
– Iowa State Bar Association
– American Bar Association
Philip J. De Koster
Philip has a diverse practice, covering all of the firm’s practice areas. He spends most of his time working on estate planning and probate matters, real estate law, corporate law, appellate advocacy, and assisted reproductive technology law. Before joining De Koster & De Koster, he practiced for three years with LaMarca Law Group, P.C., in Des Moines, Iowa. He remains affiliated with LaMarca Law Group P.C. as an of-counsel attorney. He speaks regularly at continuing legal education seminars about topics in his practice areas.
Philip is also the Director of Oral Advocacy at Drake Law School; in that role, he provides advice to the Law School’s moot court and mock trial programs and the skills teams. For his service in the 2012–13 academic year, he was given the Alumni Service Award.
He obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Drake University where he graduated summa cum laude, Order of the Coif, and was a Dwight D. Opperman Scholar. In addition to his academic achievements, Philip competed on the ABA and National Moot Court teams. During law school, he was recognized for his volunteer work, his excellence in client representation and advocacy, and for his service to the Moot Court Programs. After graduation he was awarded the Iowa State Bar Association Graduating Senior Award.
Before attending Drake Law School, Philip graduated with distinction and honors from Iowa State University with a major in Sociology and minors in Criminal Justice, Political Science, and Music. At Iowa State, he served on many levels of residence hall student government and was a teaching assistant in the Sociology and Political Science departments.
In his free time, Philip enjoys both indoor and outdoor gardening and is a licensed private pilot. He is an active member of American Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa, where he directs the choir and is a youth group leader. Philip serves on the Drake Law School Board of Counselors. He has also created an award in honor of Dr. K.M. Waggoner to recognize Drake law students who mentor their peers.
Bar Admissions:
– Iowa State and Federal Courts
– Supreme Court of the United States
Professional Associations and Memberships:
– Sioux County Bar Association
– Iowa State Bar Association
– American Bar Association