Kennedy Law Firm PC Attorney Profiles
Over 100 Years of Combined Legal Practice
Personalized Legal Advice and Representation
The attorneys at Kennedy Law Firm PC have a wide range of legal experience and expertise, which allows Kennedy Law Firm PC to provide comprehensive and competent service in addressing your legal needs.
- Michael W. Kennedy
- Kandie K. Gelner
- Natalie H. Cronk
- Paul W. Waterman
- Zachary R. Davelaar
- Katherine E. Otto Simmering
- Anthony R. Gentile
Michael W. Kennedy
Michael W. Kennedy is an owner at Kennedy Law Firm PC.
Mike is licensed to practice in Iowa. Mike received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Northwest Missouri State University in 1974. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law with distinction in 1977.
Mike is a member of the Johnson County Bar Association and the Iowa State Bar Association.
He previously served as the chairperson of the Iowa City Civil Service Commission and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Iowa City Mayor’s Youth Empowerment Program.
Mike is an Iowa City native. He raised three children in Iowa City with his wife Michelle. When not practicing law, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and following Iowa Hawkeye athletics.
His areas of practice include, but are not limited to:
- Adoption
- Business law
- Civil litigation
- Criminal law
- Employment and labor law
- Family law
- Probate
- Real estate
- Tax law
- Trusts and estates
Kandie K. Gelner
- Business law
- Elder law
- Probate
- Real estate
- Tax law and preparation
- Trusts and estates
Natalie H. Cronk
Natalie is an owner at Kennedy Law Firm PC.
Natalie is licensed to practice law in Iowa. She received her Bachelor of Liberal Arts from the University of Iowa in 1995 and her Juris Doctorate from Drake University Law School in 1999. While in law school, Natalie interned with the General Counsel to the Office of the Governor and was a member of the International Law Moot Court Team. Natalie was named to the Order of the Barristers for excellence in and commitment to oral advocacy.
Natalie is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, Johnson County Bar Association, Iowa Trial Lawyer's Association and the Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court. She has been appointed to positions in the Iowa State Bar Association, Criminal Law Section Council, Family Law Section Council and State Jury Instruction Committee. Natalie founded the Johnson County Juvenile Law Bar to advocate better practices for children and parents in the juvenile court system.
Natalie is an Iowa City native, where she resides with her husband and two children. When not practicing law, Natalie enjoys spending time with her family, reading, music and travel.
Natalie's areas of practice include, but are not limited to:
- Family law
- Juvenile law
- Criminal law
Paul K. Waterman
Paul K. Waterman is an owner at Kennedy Law Firm PC.
Paul engages in a general practice, including but not limited to divorce, child custody, child support, wills, guardianships and conservatorships, and general litigation. Paul's family law practice includes a focus on collaborative divorces and conflict resolution, including mediation services.
Paul obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa in 2001, where he studied philosophy and political science. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2004, where he graduated with special honors/distinction. While at law school, Paul competed in the Van Oosterhout Moot Court Competition, composed of the top oral advocates of each class, and he was published in and was a Note and Comment Editor for Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems.
Following law school, Paul spent a year in Washington D.C. working for an appellate practice that represented nonprofit organizations in federal appellate courts. Paul returned to Iowa in 2006 and has engaged in private practice since that time.
Paul is a lifelong Iowa City resident. When not working, Paul enjoys cooking, travelling, and rooting for the Hawkeyes. Paul resides with his partner, Brittany Tullis, and too many cats.
Paul's areas of practice include, but are not limited to:
- Divorce and Child Custody
- Collaborative Family Law Practice
- Family Law Mediation
- Adult and Juvenile Guardianships and Conservatorships
- Wills, Trusts, and Estates
- Landlord-Tenant Disputes
- General Civil Litigation
Zachary R. Davelaar
- Business law
- Elder law
- Medicaid planning
- Probate
- Real estate
- Tax law
- Trusts and estates
Katherine E. Otto Simmering
Katherine E. Otto Simmering is an associate attorney at Kennedy Law Firm PC.

Katherine received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Russian and English from the University of Iowa in 2010. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law with high distinction in 2015.
Following law school, Katherine clerked at the Kansas Court of Appeals in Topeka, Kansas, for two years before returning to Iowa City and joining the firm in September 2017.
Katherine is a member of the Johnson County and Iowa State Bar Associations. She currently coordinates the Young Lawyer Division of the Johnson County Bar Association and is serving as Secretary of the Johnson County Bar Association from 2021-2022. She also sits on the Board of Directors for MYEP Iowa City.
Katherine is originally from Storm Lake, Iowa, but has lived all over the United States, including Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Virginia, and Vermont.
She lives with her husband, Jacob, and daughter, Charlotte, in Iowa City. She enjoys baking, reading, camping, biking and attending events at Filmscene and the Englert.
Her areas of practice include, but are not limited to:
- Adoption law
- Business law
- Civil litigation
- Employment and labor law
- Family law
- Probate
- Real estate
- Trusts and estates
Anthony R. Gentile
Anthony R. Gentile is an associate attorney at Kenney Law Firm PC.
Anthony received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Northern Illinois University in 2019. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2022. Anthony is licensed to practice in the state of Iowa.
Anthony is a member of the Johnson County Bar Association. He is currently serving as a board member of the Iowa City Airport Zoning Commission.
Anthony is originally from Sycamore, Illinois and now resides in Iowa City with his partner, Caroline, and their dog, Poppy. When he is not at work, Anthony enjoys spending time outdoors and cheering on his favorite motorsport teams.
His areas of practice include, but are not limited to:
- Business law
- Higher education law
- Probate
- Property law
- Real estate
- Tax law and preparation
- Trusts and estates
Posie
Office Dog
Posie is the office dog at Kennedy Law Firm PC. Her primary duties include maintaining office morale and witnessing will signings.
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