Richard K. Whitty
Shareholder

Richard K. Whitty earned his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law, graduating with High Distinction. He also earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Drake University, graduating Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
Mr. Whitty has been admitted to practice in Iowa for over 40 years. Through Martindale-Hubbell, his peers have rated him “Preeminent”, the highest rating accorded for legal knowledge, analytical capabilities, judgment, communication ability, legal experience, and ethical standards.
Mr. Whitty is a member of the Dubuque County, Iowa State, and American Bar Associations, the Iowa Defense Counsel Association(where he served on the Board of Directors from 2012 to 2018 and as President from 2016-2017), and a former member of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, and the Defense Research Institute, Inc. He has served on the Iowa District 1A Judicial Nominating Committee. He has served in leadership roles at O’Connor & Thomas PC for many years including 11 years as president.
Mr. Whitty currently serves on the Board of Directors, as well as the Executive Committee, of the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation. He has been active as a member of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as the Chair and two terms on the Board of Directors. He also served as Board Chair of Stonehill Franciscan Services and as a director of the Stonehill Benevolent Foundation. He served for many years on the Medical Moral Commission of the Archdiocese of Dubuque.
Mr. Whitty’s general practice includes the defense of people and companies who have been sued for money damages including cases involving personal injury and professional malpractice as well as serves as lead counsel for a private college, nursing home and health care center.
EDUCATION
J.D.
Honors: With High Distinction
Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, 1977
B.A.
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
BAR ADMISSIONS
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Professional Associations & Memberships
Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
State of Iowa Representative, 2011-Present
Medical Malpractice Section
Iowa Defense Counsel Association
Member, 1988-Present
Board of Directors, 2012-2018
President, 2016-2017
Defense Research Institute, Inc.
Member, 1989-Present
American Bar Association
Member, 1989-Present
Litigation Section
Health Law Forum Committee
Iowa State Bar Association
Member, 1980-Present
Litigation Section
Dubuque County Bar Association
Member, 1980-Present
Board of Directors, 2011-Present
President, 2014-2015
Iowa District 1A Judicial Nominating Commission
Member, 2000 – 2007
Community Associations & Memberships:
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Board of Directors, 2014 -Present
Executive Committee, 2018-Present
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors, 1992-1997; 2011-2014
Board Chair, 1995-1996
Crescent Community Health Center
Board of Directors, 2009-2015
Stonehill Franciscan Services
Board of Directors, 1999-2003
Board Chair, 2002
Archdiocese of Dubuque Medical Moral Commission
Member, 1992-2012
Serra Club of Dubuque
Member, 1983-Present