Art Hedberg, who passed away in 2017, amassed over fifty years of experience as an Iowa attorney. He founded our firm on a simple concept: representing the workers whose labor is more than just the driving force of our economy, it is the foundation of our state’s quality of life. He has represented clients in labor law and workers’ compensation throughout his career, having once served as President of the Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. He also had significant experience in handling wills, estates, and probate matters.
Art was a giant in the legal community who was known and respected for his loyalty and passion for protecting and improving the rights of workers in Iowa. He served his country in Korea with the U.S. Army before using the GI Bill to attain his law degree from the University of Iowa.
His professional achievements included his involvement as a founding member and long-time leader in the Iowa Trial Lawyers’ Association (now the Iowa Association for Justice), an instructor at the Workers’ Compensation School at the University of Iowa, past president of the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee, past president of the Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, member of a Second Injury Fund Task Force created by the Iowa Legislature, and member of the Iowa Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section Council.
His civic involvement centered on helping the disabled. He was a member of The Arc for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (formerly the Association for Retarded Citizens) serving as chair of both Polk County and state associations as well as serving on the national board. During that time, Art was able to issue a bond for the establishment of Ruby Van Meter School in Des Moines, established the first group homes for the disabled in Polk County, lobbied members of the legislature on behalf of persons with disabilities, and worked with others to establish the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As a result of his work, he was a recipient of a number of awards including the Iowa Trial Lawyers Key Person of the Year Award, the Polk County Democrat Lifetime Achievement Award, the Outstanding Citizen Contribution to Labor from the Iowa Federation of Labor, and the ARC Compulsory Special Education Award.
Art had numerous hobbies including photography, gardening, bicycling, sailing, and in later years of his life he spent many hours in his woodshop.
Hedberg & Boulton, P.C. is committed to ensuring that Art Hedberg’s legacy lives on in our firm’s dedication to advocate for workers’ rights throughout the State of Iowa.