James (Jim) R. Van Dyke
Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. Jim attended Valley High School, West Des Moines, and then Northwestern University and Drake University.
Jim moved to Carroll in 1974 and started practicing law with Russ Wunschel. In 1984 he and John Werden began Van Dyke & Werden and then later joined Ron Eich. Jim is a member of numerous professional organizations. His areas of general practice include personal injury, property damage, products liability, business litigation, family law, probate and real estate.
Jim is married to the former Susan C. Schapman and they have three sons, Tony, R.J., Thomas, a daughter-in-law, Tessa (R.J.), and two grandchildren, Emma and Eddie.
While in college and law school, Jim was employed at KCCI-TV in Des Moines as a news and sports broadcaster. He is also actively involved in the community. He enjoys judging Middle School and High School Mock Trial.
Jim's mission and purpose remain the same as always: to help people with their problems.
Professional Memberships and Organizations
Sheryl Lynch
Sheryl grew up on a farm near Templeton and is the second oldest of nine children. She attended high school at Kuemper Catholic in Carroll. Her first job out of high school was for Lay & Associates who were located in the Carroll Legal Building. Thus, Jim and Sheryl met and started working together in 1981. She continued to work for Jim solely, and then for the firm of Van Dyke & Werden, until 1994, when she chose to be a fulltime Mom.
Sheryl re-joined Jim in his practice at Eich, Van Dyke, Werden & Steger in July of 2015. She chose to accompany him back to the Carroll Legal Building in his new sole practice.
Sheryl and husband, Tom Lynch, have four children – Nathan, Aaron (Kate), Ryan (Ashley) of Omaha, Nebraska, and Allison of Carroll. They have two grandchildren; Avery, daughter of Aaron and Kate, and Noah, son of Ryan and Ashley. Sheryl enjoys her grandchildren, walking, biking and yoga in her free time as well all outdoor activities.
She feels they have come full circle as a firm and looks forward to a continued relationship with former clients and meeting and serving future clients.