Lylea Critelli leads  the firm’s litigation CaseMap© operation.  Lylea can literally find a “needle in a haystack.”  Using intelligence- analyst skills,  every document,  and all testimony,  is “”data-mined” i.e. reviewed for its evidentiary value and  input into the CaseMap© litigation database where it is evaluated and matched to the legal issues involved in the case.  

But Lylea’s true passion is for the Iowa State Bar Association Middle and High School Mock Trial Program.  In the fall she donates her time and talent to St. Theresa School to coach their middle school mock trial team.    In the spring she coaches the Dowling Catholic High School mock trial team.  Back at the firm, CritelliLaw puts her talent to use in developing trial strategy and preparing our clients and witnesses for trial. 

Lylea received her law degree from Drake University (J.D. 1981) and undergraduate education from Illinois Wesleyan University (BA cum laude, 1978).  She is admitted to the bars of the United States Supreme Court, Iowa Supreme Court, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.  She is a past president of the Iowa State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (1989-1990).    Polk County (Chair, Special Projects, 1990-1992, Member, Board of Directors, 1992-1993; Member, Juvenile Justice Committee, 1985-1986), Iowa State (Member: Chair, Public Relations Committee, 1998-1999; Conference 2000, Chair, 1993; Board of Governors, 1987-1990; Living Farms Committee, 1981-1982; Chairman, 1982-1983; Member, Bridge-the-Gap Committee, 1982-1984; Co-Chairman, 1984-1986; Member, Executive Council, Young Lawyers Section, 1983-1987; Secretary, 1987-1988; President-Elect, 1988-1989; President, 1989-1990), Federal (Secretary, Iowa Chapter, 1989-1990) and American (District 19 Representative, 1986-1988; Member, Sections on: Litigation; Young Lawyers; Assistant Executive Council Coordinator, 1987-1988; Member, Long Range Planning Committee, 1989-1990) Bar Associations; Blackstone Inn of Court (Barrister, 1989-1993; Bencher, 1997-1999). Phi Alpha Delta (Vice Justice, 1980). Member, Board of Directors, 1985 and Treasurer, 1986, Legal Services Corporation of Iowa. Member, Drake University Law School Board of Counselors, 1991-1994.