About John Daniels — a Trusted Iowa Attorney with More than 40 Years of Experience
Practical guidance. Steady counsel. A lifelong commitment to helping families and businesses plan with confidence.
Practical guidance. Steady counsel. A lifelong commitment to helping families, landowners, and businesses plan thoughtfully and move forward with clarity.
For more than four decades, John Daniels has served Iowa families, landowners, and business owners with calm, practical legal guidance. His career reflects a rare combination of private practice experience, corporate counsel service, and executive leadership—allowing him to guide clients with both legal insight and real-world perspective.
Whether helping someone plan an estate, form a business, administer a trust, or protect family farmland, John is known for clear explanations, thoughtful planning, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right.
Lead with John Daniels
John began his legal career more than 40 years ago, concentrating on estate planning, business formation, trust administration, and real estate law. His work later expanded into executive leadership, first as in-house counsel and ultimately as Chief Executive Officer of St. Luke’s Health System, a major regional medical center based in Sioux City.
This path gives John a rare and valuable perspective. He understands how organizations operate, how families and leadership teams make important decisions, and how clear structure and thoughtful planning support sound, lasting outcomes.
After years in corporate leadership, John returned full-time to private practice to offer the kind of legal guidance clients often find difficult to access—personal, deliberate, and grounded in real-world experience rather than theory.
Today, his practice centers on:
- Estate planning, wills & trusts
- Trust administration & probate support
- Farmland and agricultural estate planning
- Real estate transactions and title examination
- Business formation and governance
- General corporate counsel services
Education & Credentials
- Juris Doctor (J.D.), University of Iowa College of Law
- Bachelor’s Degree, Iowa State University
- MBA University of Iowa Tippie College of Business
- Admitted to practice in Iowa, 1976
- Former General Counsel & CEO, St. Luke’s Health System
- Long-term service on regional nonprofit and community boards
Why Clients Choose John Daniels
Clients come to John for his experience— but they stay for his approach.
Decades of experience that matter
John brings more than 40 years of experience across estate planning, business law, real estate, and trust administration, including years as both general counsel and CEO of a regional medical center.
Direct access to your attorney
There are no layers of staff or handoffs. Every question is answered by John personally.
Clear, practical explanations
John is known for making complex legal topics straightforward and understandable.
A steady, solution-focused approach
His work emphasizes thoughtful planning, clear structure, and practical solutions designed to help clients move forward with purpose.
Deep roots in Sioux City
John has served on numerous civic boards, community organizations, and leadership groups throughout his career.
Ready to Talk Through Your Next Step?
Legal decisions often begin with a conversation. John takes the time to listen, understand your goals, and help you move forward with a plan that fits your circumstances.
If you’re looking for thoughtful guidance from an attorney who values clarity and careful decision-making, Daniels Osborn Law Firm welcomes the opportunity to help.