About Kelsey A.W.
Kelsey A.W. Marquard built a steady path into the law that began in the liberal arts classroom and continued through three years of law school. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from St. Ambrose University in 2009, studying political science, history, classical studies and pre-law. She then completed her Juris Doctor at the University of Iowa, receiving her degree in 2012.
After law school she entered private practice and has practiced across state lines. She is licensed to practice in both Iowa and Illinois. That dual licensure has shaped the kinds of matters she takes on and the clients she represents. She moves between court dockets, agency files and client meetings, translating legal rules into practical steps for people and businesses.
Throughout her career she has stayed involved with professional associations and maintains current membership in legal organizations. Colleagues describe her as pragmatic in the courtroom and straightforward at the negotiating table. She prefers clear explanations over legalese and aims to make the process understandable for clients who are often facing complicated regulatory or procedural issues.
Her work has been rooted in the community where she practices. She handles matters that arise in state and local systems and has experience managing cases that require coordination in more than one jurisdiction. That experience has influenced how she prepares a case, organizes discovery and approaches settlement discussions.
Kelsey practices from O Brien & Marquard, P.L.C., where she is part of a small firm environment that emphasizes direct client contact. The office setup allows for frequent communication between attorneys and clients and quick adjustments to strategy when facts change. She values the straightforward pace of a smaller firm, where attorneys often handle files from start to finish.
Her background in political science and history informs her analytical approach. She reads statutes, rules and precedents with an eye for practical implications. In client work she focuses on clear advice, realistic options and decisive next steps. Her current practice centers on state and local legal matters in Iowa and Illinois.
