The practice was started over a quarter century ago, in 1967 by Nicholas Critelli. From its inception, the practice has been limited to civil and criminal litigation and advocacy. It was Mr Critelli's belief that true trial expertise could only follow the English barrister and solicitor model.
In essence, the trial lawyer was not an expert in a substantive area of the law, which could be mastered through study, but in the more complex areas of the law of procedure, evidence and advocacy which could only be understood through years of continual practice. True to this philosophical foundation, most of the members are, dually qualified both in the United States and in England and Wales. There are no lateral admissions to the firm. All members have started their career with the firm, progressing from pupil to advocate or litigator. Members must possess or acquire either an advanced degree beyond their doctorate or be qualified for admission to the Bar of England or Wales as a solicitor or barrister. Furthermore, once admitted, to maintain tenure, members must provide an on-going contribution to the overall development of the law through research and publication.
The firm operates as a barristers chambers: it is limited by charter to no more than six members and limits its practice to assisting members of the Bar as either Local Counsel or Trial Counsel.
It is "av" rated by Martindale Hubbell, both nationally and internationally.
The uniqueness of both our mode of practice and our office environment has been the subject of media coverage (The ABA Journal, The Iowa Lawyer, The Des Moines Business Record). As has the story of how Mssrs. Critelli became English barrister. (See "Critelli Divides time between Des Moines, London," in the Business Record, December 9-15, 1991; "Barristers to flip wigs, disrobe? Say it ain't so, M'Lord" in the Des Moines Register, September 21, 1992; or "Have Wig, Will Travel: Being a lawyer and a barrister" The Young Lawyer, Feb. 2003).
(c)2004 Law Chambers of Nicholas
Critelli, p.c.