Cray Law Firm

10/22/2026

"It's like déjà vu all over again," one of the most famous "Yogi-isms".

According to popular lore, Yogi Berra allegedly uttered the phrase in 1961 after watching his New York Yankees teammates Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris repeatedly hit back-to-back home runs.

10/19/2026

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ILR Notification System Monitor Recorded Documents Anywhere in Iowa The ILR Notification System is a free service through ILR Search that helps users stay informed about recording activity across all 99 counites in Iowa. After requesting an account to log into ILR Search, you can create a notificati...

10/12/2026

HAPPY 34TH WORK ANNIVERSARY TO CRAY LAW FIRM'S "WORK MOM", KORRIE! 🙂

She's the best at what she does and keeps Mr. Taylor in line. We'd be lost without her! ❤

10/07/2026

Rural Attorney Showcase
Posted on: Oct 1, 2026

Ryan D. Gerling
Law Firm: Cray Law Firm, PLC
Location: Burlington
Law School: Drake University Law School

Can you give us a high-level overview of your journey to becoming a rural practice attorney? I grew up in Winfield, Iowa, a town of about 1,000 in Henry County. I attended the University of Iowa then Drake Law School, and as a 3L worked as a summer associate in the firm where I now practice.

What are your primary areas of law? I have general practice with an emphasis in a variety of real estate issues, estate planning and litigation, debtor/creditor, general civil litigation, mediation, and family law.

What advice would you give to law students considering rural practice in Iowa? Rural practice gives new lawyers a chance to hit the ground running, offering a wealth of opportunities to get meaningful courtroom experience from the outset. For anyone interested in a relatively broad field of practice, there is a great deal of opportunity in rural communities.

How does practicing in rural Iowa connect with your personal or professional values? In my experience, rural Iowans value hard work, direct communication, straightforward positions, and genuine intentions. I value these qualities in my practice and life.

What kinds of opportunities does rural Iowa life provide that other locations may not? Life in rural Iowa gives practitioners an opportunity to connect with clients in a meaningful way on a wide range of issues.

How would you describe the sense of community among your town, network, or clientele? The sense of community among the local population in which I practice is very strong. It’s not uncommon to have the entire network of family or friends show up to support litigants at trial.

What are some common misconceptions about practicing law in rural areas? Rural practice is not just for attorneys raised in small towns. Young attorneys often assume that it’s difficult to break into a small community if raised elsewhere. In most cases, small communities are often excited at the prospect of having new talent, particularly in young attorneys wanting to establish themselves permanently in the area.

09/18/2026