Announcement of New Partners
February 19, 2025
Cedar Rapids, Iowa–Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, PLC is pleased to announce that 2025 brought new partner promotions among its attorneys. Congratulations to new Vice Presidents, Sarah Barr, Rachel Laborde, Elizabeth Souer, and Weijing Wu, and congratulations to new Senior Vice Presidents Megan Merritt and Teresa Morio.
Sarah Barr’s practice focuses on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and guardianship and conservatorship matters. She is the current President of the Cedar Rapids Area Estate Planning Council and sits on the Linn County Bar Association’s Board. Sarah recently joined the Investment Committee of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.
Rachel Laborde’s practice focuses primarily on family law and litigation. She represents clients for family law disputes, high-conflict custody cases, or complicated business division dissolution. Rachel has been awarded the Avvo Client Choice Award, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate and is a Certified Collaborative Family Law Attorney. She is also affiliated with The International Association of Collaborative Practitioners.
Betsy Souer is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She also assists clients with commercial and residential real estate transactions, leasing, and real estate development. She sits on the board of the St. Luke’s Foundation and the Faith Formation Commission at Heart of Mary Cluster.
Weijing Wu assists individuals and businesses in various areas of civil and commercial litigation including contract disputes, business torts, and insurance defense. She also counsels individuals through dissolutions of marriage, custody disputes, guardianships, and probate proceedings. She is a first generation Iowan and speaks fluent Mandarin.
Megan Merritt tries cases to judges and juries in state and federal court for a broad range of individuals and businesses. Her specialty areas include civil, commercial, and construction litigation for small businesses, large corporations, and insurance companies. Megan also works with city governments to enact local ordinances, maintain compliance with state and federal laws, and create employee policies. She has been recognized as a Great Plains Super Lawyers Rising Star and also received the Iowa Defense Counsel Rising Star Award. Megan is dedicated to serving her community. She serves on the Board of Directors for Theatre Cedar Rapids and the Board of Directors for the Freedom Festival, coaches the University of Iowa College of Law’s Trial Team, and actively volunteers at local middle school mock trial programs. Megan is also a member of the Defense Research Institute and Iowa Defense Counsel Association.
Teresa Morio primarily focuses on representing businesses and individuals who are forced to go to court to protect their interests. She mainly works in the areas of commercial and construction litigation, as well as research and writing, including appellate litigation. She has represented a wide range of clients, including engineering firms, farmers, distributors, manufacturers, employers, and executors. Prior to joining Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, Teresa practiced as an Assistant United State Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge Linda R. Reade in the U.S District Court for the Northern District of Iowa. She has been on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals’ Subcommittee on Model Criminal Jury Instructions, was awarded the Donald P. Lay Faculty Recognition Award, and is currently a chapter author of the 8th Circuit Appellate Practice Manual. She is very active in her community and is involved with the Cedar Rapids Area Christian Experience Weekend, St. John of the Cross Catholic Worker House, Regis Middle School, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish, and Xavier High School.
“We are fortunate to have a team of wonderful attorneys and are very pleased to mark the further development of these six individuals as partners in our firm.” said attorney Brian Bergstrom, President of Shuttleworth & Ingersoll.
As one of Iowa’s largest firms comprised of over 60 attorneys and providing a full range of business, litigation, family and intellectual property legal services, Shuttleworth & Ingersoll has served as the trusted choice for clients for over 100 years. The firm’s collaborative, comprehensive and relationship-driven approach helps clients reach the best outcomes now and in the future. The firm is also committed to the advancement and health of all the communities it serves by providing both volunteer hours and financial contributions to many non-profit and community based organizations.
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About Shuttleworth & Ingersoll
Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C. is a multi-specialty law firm with offices in Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Waterloo, Nashua and Grundy Center, Iowa. The firm provides legal services to clients in Iowa and around the world. Established in 1854, the firm has grown to become one of Iowa’s largest firms with over 60 talented and experienced lawyers who provide a full range of business, litigation, family, and intellectual property legal services. Using a collaborative, team-based approach, Shuttleworth & Ingersoll is able to provide innovative, cost-effective solutions to client problems.